Information
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Patent Grant
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6511074
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Patent Number
6,511,074
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Date Filed
Monday, August 27, 200123 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, January 28, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
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Original Assignees
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Examiners
Agents
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 273 348
- 273 349
- 273 300
- 273 402
- 273 440
- 273 441
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International Classifications
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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)