BASKETBALL ARCADE GAME

Abstract

An arcade game includes a frame assembly that is selectively configurable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The frame assembly includes a rear frame and a front frame that are connected by telescoping struts that allow the length of the frame assembly to be shortened when in the collapsed configuration and extended when in the expanded configuration. The front frame and the rear frame each include vertical struts that provide support for the side nets and apron that define the game play area. Optionally, a front panel is hingedly attached to the front frame. The front panel may be deployed at an angle in the expanded configuration or positioned substantially parallel to the front vertical struts to reduce the footprint of the frame assembly in the collapsed configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure deals with arcade game systems.

BACKGROUND

Sports games such as basketball, baseball, football, and archery are popular, but can require a lot of space to play an actual game. When the requisite space is not available, a smaller scale game, such as a mechanical arcade game, may be used that requires less space and may be played with fewer people. Mechanical arcade games differ from electric games or video games in that a mechanical arcade game often provides a target for a player to physically throw or shoot a projectile toward, such as a basketball goal. Mechanical arcade games may be set up for entertainment indoors such as in a garage, basement, or in a game room.

In some instances, the game must be taken apart for storage when the game is not in use or when it is desired to move the mechanical arcade game. However, this process can be complicated and time consuming, as the game may include several different pieces that have to be disassembled. Additionally, the mechanical arcade game may take up substantial floor space even when not in use and may not easily fit into a closet for storage or fit through doors for easy movement.

Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments include an arcade game system. The arcade game system may include a frame assembly. The frame defines a game play area positioned between the rear panel and the front panel and above the base. A target, such as a backboard including one or more basketball hoops may be attached to the rear panel.

The frame assembly includes a rear frame comprising a pair of rear vertical struts and a pair of horizontal rear telescoping struts extending forward perpendicularly from the rear vertical struts. The frame assembly also includes a front frame comprising a pair of front vertical struts and horizontal front telescoping struts that extend rearward perpendicularly from the front vertical struts. Each rear telescoping strut may be coupled to one of the front telescoping struts to slidingly attach the rear frame to the front frame. In some embodiments, the front frame may include a front panel that is hingedly attached to the front vertical struts.

The frame assembly may be configurable in an expanded configuration and in a collapsed configuration. A distance between the rear vertical struts and the front vertical struts is greater when the frame is arranged in the expanded configuration than when the frame is arranged in the collapsed configuration.

A method of moving the frame assembly of the arcade game from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration includes pulling the front frame away from the rear frame so that the front telescoping struts of the front frame extend from being positioned within the rear telescoping struts of the rear frame. Expanding the front telescoping struts from the rear telescoping struts increases the length of the frame assembly.

A method of moving the frame of the arcade game from the expanded configuration into the collapsed configuration includes pushing the front frame toward the rear frame so that the front telescoping struts of the front frame are pushed within the rear telescoping struts of the rear frame. Contracting the front telescoping struts into the rear telescoping struts decreases the length of the frame assembly.

In some embodiments, the method of moving the frame assembly of the arcade game from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration may include deploying a hinged front panel. The method may include removing fasteners from openings defined in the hinged connections that connect the front panel to the vertical struts of the front frame to allow the front panel to rotate on hinges with respect to the front vertical struts. The front panel can be hinged outwardly with respect to the front vertical struts so that the front panel is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the front vertical struts. The fasteners may then be inserted into a different opening defined through the hinged connections corresponding to the position of the front panel in the expanded configuration to secure the front panel in a desired angular orientation with respect to the front vertical struts.

In some embodiments, the method of moving the frame of the arcade game from the expanded configuration into the collapsed configuration includes retracting the front panel by removing fasteners from openings defined in the hinged connections that connect the front panel to the front vertical struts of the front frame to allow the front panel to hinge with respect to the front vertical struts. The front panel may then be hinged inwardly toward the front vertical struts so that the front panel is positioned substantially parallel to the front vertical struts. The fasteners may be inserted into the openings defined through the hinged connections that correspond to the position of the front panel in the collapsed configuration to secure the front panel with respect to the front vertical struts.

Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arcade game in an expanded configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the arcade game of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1 in the expanded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a font frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed configuration.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1 in the collapsed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of moving the frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1 from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of moving the frame of the arcade game of FIG. 1 from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Directional terms, such as forward, rearward, top, bottom, etc., are used in this description with reference to the specific embodiment shown and used for purposes of clarity. It should be recognized that these terms are not meant to be limiting.

A mechanical arcade game includes a frame upon which can be mounted a backboard with basketball rims. The shooting area is enclosed on both sides with a net and with an apron on the bottom to catch and return the ball to the player. The frame includes a series of struts that form a rear frame, a front frame, and an optional front panel. The struts that extend between the rear panel and the middle panel are telescoping to allow the length of the arcade game structure to be modified for when the arcade game structure is in use and when it is being moved or being stored. Casters or wheels may be included at the lower ends of the vertical struts to allow for easy movement of the game structure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arcade game 10 that includes a frame assembly 15 that is selectively configurable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration (see FIG. 2). A length, L, of the frame assembly 15 increases as the frame assembly 15 is moved from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration. The length of the frame assembly 15 decreases as the frame assembly 15 is moved from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration. In the expanded configuration, the arcade game 10 defines a game play area 90 or volume and a player position 92 adjacent to and in front of frame assembly 15. The game play area 90 is bounded by an apron 94 and side nets 96, 98 which help to define the boundaries of the game play area 90 and keep playing objects, such as basketballs, within the game play area 90 during use. In the collapsed configuration, the total volume of the game play area 90 is reduced to allow the arcade game 10 to take up less space in storage or to allow the arcade game 10 to be easily moved to another location.

A perspective view of the frame assembly 15 in the expanded configuration is illustrated in FIG. 3. The frame assembly 15 includes a rear frame 20 and a front frame 50. A front panel 70 may optionally be hingedly attached to the front frame 50 so that the front panel 70 may pivot with respect to the front frame 50. A backboard assembly 80 including targets may be attached to the rear frame 20.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the rear frame 20. The rear frame 20 includes a pair of vertically extending parallel lower rear vertical struts 22 and a pair of vertically extending upper rear vertical struts 24 that are coupled to and aligned with the lower rear vertical struts 22. In some embodiments, the upper rear vertical struts 24 may be hingedly connected to the lower rear vertical struts 22, so that the upper rear vertical struts 24 may be rotated downward with respect to the lower rear vertical struts 22 to reduce the height of the rear frame 20 when the arcade game 10 is not in use.

A lower lateral cross strut 23 extends between the lower rear vertical struts 22 and holds the vertical struts a fixed distance apart. Similarly, an upper lateral cross strut 25 extends between both the lower rear vertical struts 22 and the upper rear vertical struts 24 at the location where the lower rear vertical struts 22 are coupled to the upper rear vertical struts 24. A rear frame support 28 may be attached to the lower end of each of the lower rear vertical struts 22 to provide a contact location of the rear frame 20 with the ground or support surface on which the arcade game 10 is positioned. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the rear frame supports 28 are caster wheels. The caster wheels allow easier movement of the frame assembly 15, and in some embodiments may also be lockable. In other embodiments, the rear frame supports 28 may be flat surfaces that provide additional stability rather than increase mobility.

A side net connection, such as a peg 26, may extend from a top portion of each of the upper rear vertical struts 24. These pegs 26 may serve as a connection point for attaching the side nets 96, 98 to the rear frame 20 of the frame assembly 15. In other embodiments, other suitable connection points or fasteners for attaching the side nets 96, 98 to the rear frame 20 may be used other than a peg, such as a rivet, projection, cotter pin, screw, bolt, hook and loop fastener, lacing, or other suitable structure.

The rear frame 20 includes a pair of rear telescoping struts in the form of a pair of parallel horizontal outer tubes 30. Each outer tube 30 extends forward from one of the lower rear vertical struts 22. In the embodiment shown, the outer tubes 30 extend substantially perpendicular and forward with respect to the lower rear vertical struts 22. Each of the outer tubes 30 includes a hollow interior that is configured to receive a telescoping strut, such as inner tube 60 of the front frame 50 (see FIG. 5).

A base leg 32 extends downward from a forward end of each of the outer tubes 30. Each base leg 32 includes a base foot 34 which rests on the floor or other support surface for the arcade game 10. The base feet 34 may help to stabilize the arcade game 10 during game play and during storage. In some embodiments, each base foot 34 may be made from rubber or another resilient, high traction material that provides protection for the base foot 34 and prevents slipping of the arcade game 10 when in use. In other embodiments, base feet 34 may be casters. A base cross strut 36 extends between the base legs 32 and provides stability to the rear frame 20.

In some embodiments, the base legs 32 may be configured to be slightly raised so that the base feet 34 are not in contact with the floor or support surface when the frame assembly 15 is arranged in the collapsed configuration. This allows the frame assembly 15 to be moved on the rear frame supports 28 and front frame supports 58 (see FIG. 5) without increased friction from the base feet 34. When the frame assembly 15 is moved from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, the base legs 32 may slightly lower so that the base feet 34 are in contact with the floor or support surface, providing stability to the frame assembly 15.

An angled support strut 38 extends as a brace between each lower rear vertical strut 22 and the corresponding outer tube 30 to provide additional support and rigidity to the rear frame 20. In the embodiment shown, one end of the angled support strut 38 is attached to an upper portion of the lower rear vertical strut and the other end of the angled support strut 38 is attached to the forward end of the outer tube 30.

The backboard assembly 80 may be attached to the rear frame 20 (see FIG. 6). The backboard assembly 80 may include a backboard 81 that spans between the upper rear vertical struts 24 of the rear frame 20. One or more rims 82 may be attached to the backboard 81. In the embodiment shown, there are two rims 82 attached side-by-side to the backboard 81. Other embodiments may include only a single rim 82 or may include three or more rims 82. In some embodiments, different types of targets other than rims 82 may be used on the backboard assembly 80. As an example, the backboard assembly 80 may include targets for footballs. In these embodiments, the backboard assembly 80 may be arranged so that a football that goes through the target is still dropped into the apron 94 in the game play area 90 and returned to the user. In still other embodiments, the target may be holes defined through the backboard assembly 80 to receive an object thrown at the backboard assembly 80.

A perspective view of the front frame 50 is shown in FIG. 5. The front frame 50 includes a pair of vertically extending lower front vertical struts 52 and a pair of upper front vertical struts 54 that are coupled to and aligned with the lower front vertical struts 52. A front lateral cross strut extends between the lower front vertical struts 52 and holds the vertical struts a fixed distance apart.

A side net connection, such as a peg 56, may extend from a top portion of each of the upper front vertical struts 54. These pegs 56 may serve as a connection point for attaching the side nets 96, 98 to the front frame 50 of the frame assembly 15. Similar to the pegs 26 described above, in other embodiments, other suitable connection points for attaching the side nets 96, 98 to the front frame 50 may be used other than a peg. Examples of alternative connection points may include rivets, projections, cotter pins, screws, bolts, hook and loop fasteners, lacing, or other suitable structures.

A front frame support 58 is attached to each lower front vertical strut 52 to provide a contact location for the front frame 50 with the ground or other support surface on which the arcade game 10 is positioned. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, each of the front frame supports 58 are caster wheels.

The front frame 50 includes a pair of front telescoping struts, shown as parallel inner tubes 60, that are part of the telescoping strut arrangement of the frame assembly 15. Each inner tube 60 extends rearwardly from one of the lower front vertical struts 52. In the embodiment shown, the inner tubes 60 extend horizontally and substantially perpendicular with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52. Each of the inner tubes 60 is sized to slide within a corresponding outer tube 30 of the rear frame 20.

A U-shaped, hingeable front panel 70 may optionally be connected to the lower front vertical struts 52 at a hinged connection 62 that is located on each of the lower front vertical struts 52. The front panel 70 is formed from a front panel cross strut 72 that spans between two front panel side struts 74. The front panel 70 also includes a lower support cross strut 76 (see FIG. 6) as a brace that spans between the front panel side struts 74.

The hinged connections 62 may include openings 63, 64 for receiving a fastener, such as a pin, to hold the front panel 70 at a desired angular orientation. In some embodiments, additional openings may be included to provide additional options for the angular orientation of the front panel 70. The fastener may be inserted through either opening 63, 64 in the hinged connection 62 and through a corresponding opening defined through the front panel side strut 74 of the front panel 70 to secure the front panel 70 in a particular orientation. Each hinged connection 62 may include an opening 63 that corresponds to an angular position of the front panel 70 in the expanded configuration to hold the front panel 70 in the expanded configuration when a fastener is inserted through the opening 63. Additionally, each hinged connection 62 may have another opening 64 that corresponds to the angular position of the front panel 70 in the collapsed configuration to hold the front panel 70 in the collapsed configuration, for instance vertical and parallel to the lower front vertical struts 52.

When the frame assembly is in the fully expanded configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear telescoping struts and the front telescoping struts are extended. In this arrangement, the inner tubes 60 of the front frame 50 are positioned within the outer tubes 30 of the rear frame 20 so that only a rearward or end portion of the inner tubes 60 are within the corresponding outer tubes 30. The inner tubes 60 are still connected to the outer tubes 30, but the majority of the length of the inner tubes 60 is exterior to the outer tubes 30. This increases the length of the frame assembly 15 to a length that is suitable for game play.

FIG. 6 illustrates the frame assembly 15 in a partially collapsed configuration in which the length of the frame assembly 15 is decreased, but the front panel 70 remains in an extended position. As shown, the inner tubes 60 of the front frame 50 are slid and retracted into the outer tubes 30 of the rear frame 20 so that a majority of the length of the inner tubes 60 is positioned within the corresponding outer tubes. This decreases the length of the frame assembly 15 at least by the length of the inner tubes 60 which fits within the outer tubes 30. The decreased length of the frame assembly 15 allows for the arcade game 10 to take up less space in storage and makes the arcade game 10 easier to move in tight spaces, such as through doors or through hallways.

FIG. 7 shows the frame assembly 15 in the fully collapsed configuration. In the fully collapsed configuration, the front panel 70 is rotated upward with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52 about the hinged connections 62. In the embodiment shown, the front panel 70 is substantially parallel to the lower front vertical struts 52 and the upper front vertical struts 54. In this arrangement, the front panel side struts 74 are each adjacent and substantially parallel to a corresponding lower front vertical strut 52.

It should be recognized that in some embodiments, the outer tubes 30 and the inner tubes 60 may be switched so that the tubes 30 extending from the rear frame 20 act as the inner tubes and fit within the tubes 60 extending from the front frame 50 and that act as the outer tubes.

A flowchart 200 showing a method of moving the frame assembly 15 of the arcade game 10 from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration is shown in FIG. 8. In a first step 205, fasteners are removed from the openings 64 defined in the hinged connections 62 to allow the front panel 70 to hinge or pivot with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52. In a second step 210, the front panel 70 pivoted outwardly about the hinged connections 62 with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52 so that the front panel 70 is positioned at an oblique angle with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52. In a third step 215, the front frame 50 is pulled away from the rear frame 20 so that the inner tubes 60 of the front frame 50 extend from being positioned within the outer tubes 30 of the rear frame 20, increasing the length of the frame assembly 15. In a fourth step 220, fasteners are inserted into the openings 63 defined through the hinged connections 62 to secure the front panel 170 in a desired angular orientation with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52.

A flow chart 300 showing a method of moving the frame of the arcade game 10 from the expanded configuration into the collapsed configuration is shown in FIG. 9. In a first step 305, fasteners are removed from the openings 63 defined in the hinged connections 62 to allow the front panel 70 to pivot about the hinged connections 62 with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52. In a second step 310, the front panel 70 is pivoted inwardly toward the lower front vertical struts 52 so that the front panel 70 is positioned substantially parallel to the lower front vertical struts 52. In a third step 315, the front frame 50 is pushed toward the rear frame 20 so that the inner tubes 60 of the front frame 50 are pushed within the outer tubes 30 of the rear frame 20, decreasing the length of the frame assembly 15. In a fourth step 320, fasteners are inserted into the openings 64 defined through the hinged connections 62 to secure the front panel 70 with respect to the lower front vertical struts 52.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. An arcade game system comprising: a frame assembly, wherein the frame assembly includes: a rear frame comprising a pair of horizontal rear telescoping struts, wherein each of said rear telescoping struts extends forward;a front frame comprising a pair of front telescoping struts, wherein each of said front telescoping struts extends rearward;wherein each rear telescoping strut is telescopingly coupled to one of said front telescoping struts to slidingly attach said rear frame to said front frame;a game play area defined between said rear frame and said front frame;a target attached to said rear frame; andwherein the rear frame and the front frame are slidably configured so that when the rear telescoping struts and the front telescoping struts are extended, the frame assembly is in an expanded configuration, and wherein when the rear telescoping struts and the front telescoping struts are retracted, the frame assembly is in a collapsed configuration.

2. The arcade game system of claim 1, further comprising: a front panel;wherein said front panel is attached to said front frame at a hinged connection so that said front panel may hinge with respect to said front frame.

3. The arcade game system of claim 2, wherein said hinged connection includes a first opening and a second opening, and wherein a fastener is configured to be fit into said first opening or said second opening to prevent said front panel from hinging with respect to said front frame.

4. The arcade game system of claim 2, further comprising: an apron, wherein a first end of said apron is attached to said rear frame and a second end of said apron is attached to said front panel.

5. The arcade game system of claim 4, further comprising: a first side net, wherein said first side net is attached to said rear frame and said front frame;a second side net, wherein said second side net is attached to said rear frame and said front frame; andwherein said first side net, said second side net, and said apron define a boundary of said game play area.

6. The arcade game system of claim 5, wherein said first side net is attached to said front panel, and wherein said second side net is attached to said front panel.

7. The arcade game system of claim 1, wherein said rear frame includes a pair of lower rear vertical struts and a pair of upper rear vertical struts.

8. The arcade game system of claim 6, wherein said pair of upper rear vertical struts are hingedly attached to said pair of lower rear vertical struts.

9. The arcade game system of claim 6, further comprising: a pair of angled support struts, wherein a first end of each of said of angled support struts is attached to a respective one of said lower rear vertical struts, and wherein a second end of each of said angled support struts is attached to a respective one of said rear telescoping struts.

10. The arcade game system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more rims attached to said target.

11. The arcade game system of claim 1, wherein each of said front telescoping struts are slidable within a respective rear telescoping strut.

12. The arcade game system of claim 1, wherein each of said rear telescoping struts are slidable within a respective front telescoping strut.

13. A method of moving a frame assembly of an arcade game system from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the method comprising: pivoting a front panel of the frame assembly away from front vertical struts of a front frame of the frame assembly;pulling the front frame away from a rear frame of the frame assembly, wherein said rear frame includes a pair of rear telescoping struts and wherein said front frame includes a pair of front telescoping struts coupled to said rear telescoping struts;sliding said front telescoping struts and said rear telescoping struts with respect to each other as said front frame is pulled away from said rear frame; andwherein a length of the frame assembly increases as the front frame is pulled away from said rear frame.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: inserting fasteners into openings in hinged connections that attach said front panel to said front frame to lock said front panel in a selected position.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said front panel is pivoted from a position in which said front panel is parallel with respect to said front vertical struts to a position in which said front panel is at an oblique angle with respect to said front vertical struts.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: pivoting a pair of upper rear vertical struts of said rear frame with respect to a pair of lower rear vertical struts to reduce a height of the rear frame.

17. A method of moving a frame assembly of an arcade game system from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration, the method comprising: hinging a front panel of the frame assembly toward front vertical struts of a front frame of the frame assembly;pushing the front frame toward a rear frame of the frame assembly, wherein said rear frame includes a pair of rear telescoping struts and wherein said front frame includes a pair of front telescoping struts coupled to said rear telescoping struts;sliding said front telescoping struts and said rear telescoping struts with respect to each other as said front frame is pushed toward said rear frame; andwherein a length of the frame assembly decreases as the front frame is pushed toward said rear frame.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: removing fasteners from openings in hinged connections that attach said front panel to said front frame.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said front panel is pivoted from a position in which said front panel is at an oblique angle with respect to said front vertical struts to a position in which said front panel is parallel with respect to said front vertical struts.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: pivoting a pair of upper rear vertical struts of said rear frame with respect to a pair of lower rear vertical struts to increase a height of the rear frame.