Fish throwing game

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6511074
  • Patent Number
    6,511,074
  • Date Filed
    Monday, August 27, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 28, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
The present invention is a game that may be used by a person in a swimming pool. The game comprises a first target in the form of a hula hoop disposed at the bottom of the pool. The game further comprises a second target in the form of a shark's tank floating on the surface of the water. The game further comprises a hand-held projectile member designed for travel through the water and when thrown properly will travel thru the hoop and upward into the fish tank.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to an aquatic game that may be used by one or more players in a water environment such as a swimming pool.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Many adults and children enjoy playing a game while swimming in a water environment such as a swimming pool. There is a continuing need to develop games for use in a pool that are simply and safe.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is a game that may be used by a person in a swimming pool that is fun and easy to play. The game comprises a first target in the form of a hoop disposed at the bottom of the pool. The game further comprises a second target in the form of a tank floating on the surface of the water. The game further comprises a hand-held projectile member in the form of a fish designed for travel through the water. The goal of the game is to throw the projectile so that it passes through the hoop and travels upward into the tank where the projectile is retained.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The following detailed description of the invention will be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the game of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a cross section view of the first target member; and





FIG. 3

is cross section view of the second target member.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring to

FIGS. 1 and 2

, where a game


10


is shown for use in a swimming pool


12


. The game


10


generally comprises a first target


14


disposed at the bottom of the pool


12


. The first target


14


comprises a hoop


16


connected to a base portion


18


by a support member


20


. The base portion


18


comprises a plurality of weights


22


to keep the base portion


18


in contact with the bottom surface of the pool


12


. The hoop


16


and support member


20


may take a variety of shapes and be made from a variety of materials that float. The support member


20


may be substantially rigid and shaped like a plastic tube or substantially flexible such as a rope. The


16


may be of circular shape having an annular wall portion


22


defining an opening


24


. The hoop


16


extends upward from the base portion to provide a first height. The height of the hoop


16


may be adjustable by for example rotating the hoop


16


about or within the support member


20


. Alternatively, the first target


14


may be designed so that it can be disposed at desired depth in the pool


12


without having to be in contact with the bottom of the pool


12


.




The game


10


further comprises a second target


26


in the form of a shark's tank


28


floating on the surface of the water


12


. The tank


28


has an annular wall


32


defining a closed area or opening


36


. The tank


28


may further comprise an annular ring


34


disposed adjacent the lower end of the annular wall


32


. The annular ring


34


is made from a material that floats such an styrofoam. The tank


28


may be made from a plastic material and formed by injection molding processes. Alternatively, the tank


28


may simply comprise a cylindrical shaped foam material that floats on the surface of the water and which is closed to capture any projectiles that enter through the water.




The game


10


further comprises a hand-held projectile member


38


designed for travel through the water


12


and when thrown properly will travel thru the opening


24


of the hoop


16


and upward into the opening


36


of the tank


28


. An example of a projectile member


38


that may be used in the game


10


is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,023 which is hereby incorporated into this specification by reference in its entirety. The projectile member


16


may be designed with neutral buoyancy and provided with one or more fins


40


that can be used to make the projectile member


38


travel in the desired path. The fins


40


may be adjustable so that the projectile member


38


can travel in different directions.




The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes of illustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Modifications and variations still falling within the spirit or the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.



Claims
  • 1. A game in combination with a pool filled with water, the game comprises:(a) a first target disposed at the bottom of the pool; said first target comprises a base portion adapted to engage with the bottom of the pool and a hoop member. (b) a second target floating on the water above said hoop member; and (c) a hand-held projectile member adapted to be thrown thru water and travel thru said first target and upward into said second target.
  • 2. The game of claim 1, wherein said second target comprises a tank member having an annular wall and a bottom opening.
  • 3. The game of claim 2, wherein said hoop member extends upward from said base portion to provide a first height of said hoop member.
  • 4. The game of claim 3, wherein said height of said hoop member is adjustable.
  • 5. The game of claim 4, wherein said base portion comprises a weight.
  • 6. The game of claim 5, wherein tank member and said hoop member are made from a floatation material.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Number Name Date Kind
3014723 Butler Dec 1961 A
3095197 Weitzman Jun 1963 A
3403907 Keller Oct 1968 A
3895801 Baird Jul 1975 A
4744565 Newberger May 1988 A
5368307 Hotchkiss Nov 1994 A
5421585 Ruvio Jun 1995 A
5514023 Warner May 1996 A
6022024 Kahn Feb 2000 A
6264573 Zheng Jul 2001 B1