Patent Application
20220126182
The disclosure herein relates to an apparatus for converting a foldable arcade-type device into a multi-game arcade-type device. More specifically, a second goal assembly is added to a ball return chute of an arcade-type device for a first ball-tossing game to allow the arcade-type device to be used for a second bean bag tossing game. Also, a moveable upper cross member is added to a rectangular front-end frame of the arcade-type device so that the moveable upper cross member can be moved to a higher position to act as part of a third goal assembly for receiving ladder balls in a third ladder tossing game.
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,225 (hereafter the “'225 Patent”), many people enjoy sports either as a participant or as a spectator. Unfortunately, most sports require large spaces and are therefore played outdoors on large playing fields or indoors at large facilities. Thus, most people are unable to play and practice these sports at home. Accordingly, these sports are impractical and space prohibitive for most families. For example, it is not practical to construct large courts or playing fields within a home because of the required unobstructed floor space.
Due to the popularity of sports games and the skill required to play such games well, games derivative of sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and softball have been developed. Games that test a player's basketball shooting or ball-tossing skills are among the most popular and can be found at amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs. Typically, a player is given a certain number of shots or throws to score a predetermined number of baskets or hit a target in order to win a prize. Usually, an attendant is present to administer the game and distribute the prizes. Such games are usually outdoors, large, and not intended to be readily mobile.
In more recent years, there has been a trend to scale down the size of such sports game derivatives so that the game could move indoors into arcades. Such arcade games are typically coin-operated and permit the player a designated period of time to score as many baskets or hit as many targets as possible. Prizes or additional playing time may be awarded to the particularly skillful player who scores a predetermined number of baskets or points within the time period allowed. Such arcade games have become very popular, finding their way into bars, pizza parlors, and other places of amusement and entertainment.
Although arcade-style games of this type have been used in homes, generally such arcade-style sports games are not found within a home. This is because, heretofore, such arcade-style game devices were not intended for and do not address the space limitations presented by home-usage. For example, most homes have very limited floor space and relatively low ceilings. These arcade-style sports games that are known are deployed in a ready-to-play configuration that consumes valuable floor space. If a person wishes to reduce the amount of floor space used by the apparatus of the game, disassembly is required.
One known device that does address limitations presented by home-usage is the MD SPORTS™ 2-player arcade basketball game of Medal Sports Corporation of Taipei, Taiwan (hereinafter the “Exemplary Device”). This device is adaptable for indoor home-usage while still providing an arcade-type game. Hence, it provides an arcade-type sports game device that is easily foldable for storage and may be rapidly deployed into its ready-to-play configuration. Additionally, it provides a foldable arcade-type sports game device that stores in a substantially vertical position while resting on a stable base, thereby minimizing the amount of floor space occupied when the game is not in use. It can be transformed rapidly from its vertical storage disposition to its ready-to-play configuration without disassembly of any of its parts.
The folding portion moves and folds with respect to support portion 11. The folding portion includes U-shaped cross member 5, U-shaped extendable leg 13, curved supports 12, and telescopic poles 14. Each of telescopic poles 14 includes a support pole 141, a joint 143, and a sliding pole 144 that slides into joint 143.
Further, the Exemplary Device provides an arcade-type sports game device that enables head-to-head competition. It can electronically register the score and visually display the running score while simultaneously visually counting down the time during which made shots or tosses are counted.
Ball return chute 4 includes bed 41 for returning basketballs to a game player and netting 42 for directing rebounding balls to bed 41. Ball return chute 4 is attached at one end to support portion 11 of framework 1. Ball return chute 4 is attached at the other end of framework 1 to U-shaped cross member 5 of the folding portion. An inset labeled “210” shows that the straight cross member 7 is also used to secure one end of the ball return chute 4 to the framework 1. The straight cross member 7 is threaded through a sleeve of the ball return chute 4 and bolted or screwed to the U-shaped cross member 5. The U-shaped cross member 5 and the straight cross member 7 form a rectangular front-end frame of the folding portion of framework 1. This rectangular front-end frame also acts as a barrier for basketballs that return down ball return chute 4 during a game. As a result, the height of the rectangular front-end frame that includes the U-shaped cross member 5 and the straight cross member 7 is made less than the width of a maximum cross-section of a basketball (e.g., a standard size and/or otherwise dependent on hoop) or hoop.
To this end, the prior art has proposed convertible arcade-type game devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,105 describes further including a panel with an orifice beneath a backboard of a basketball arcade game to receive a ball such as a football, baseball, softball, and baseball. In addition, this patent includes a goal beneath the basketball ball return chute for a hockey puck, soccer ball, and golf ball. Similarly, U.S. Published App. No. 2008/0252018 describes an elongated backboard of a basketball game that includes target areas at which a football may be thrown. This application also includes a lower panel that has target areas at which a soccer ball can be kicked.
Finally, U.S. Published App. No. 2016/0144256 describes a rotatable goal arcade-type game device. The rotatable goal allows a user to select between 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 different goals. These goals can be used during sports such as, but not limited to, basketball, baseball, softball, football, and beanbag toss. Although the prior art includes apparatus for converting an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device, these devices typically require significant changes to the original game device or significantly more parts.
As a result, additional apparatuses and methods are needed to conveniently convert an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device by applying a minimal number of changes to the device and using a minimal amount of additional parts.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not to be interpreted as a complete and comprehensive listing of all of the objects, aspects, features and advantages associated with the present disclosure.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a framework, a first goal assembly, a ball return chute, and a second goal assembly.
The framework includes a support portion and a foldable portion. The first goal assembly receives balls tossed by a user in a first game. The first goal assembly is attached to the support portion of the framework.
The ball return chute includes a bed and two sidewalls for collecting balls from the first goal assembly and returning the collected balls to the user. The ball return chute is attached at a first end of the ball return chute to the support portion of the framework and is attached at a second end of the ball return chute to the foldable portion of the framework.
The second goal assembly receives bean bags tossed by the user in a second game. The second goal assembly is attached to or made part of the bed of the ball return chute.
In various embodiments, the second goal assembly includes a hole in the bed of the ball return chute. In various embodiments, the second goal assembly further includes a container attached to the hole for collecting bean bags received by the hole in the second game.
In various embodiments, the foldable multi-game apparatus further includes a rectangular front-end frame that is attached to the foldable portion of the framework. The rectangular front-end frame includes a lower cross member that attaches to the bed at the second end of the ball return chute and a moveable upper cross member that can move with respect to the lower cross member. The moveable upper cross member can move with respect to the lower cross member to at least two different positions thereby increasing or decreasing the height of the rectangular front-end frame while still maintaining a rectangular shape. In a first lower position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member stops the returning balls of the first game at the second end. In a second higher position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third ladder toss game.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method for converting a foldable multi-game apparatus from a ball toss game to a ladder toss game is also disclosed. This method includes moving a moveable upper cross member of a rectangular front-end frame of a foldable multi-game apparatus from a first lower position that stops returning balls of a first ball-tossing game to a second higher position to act as part of a second goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a second ladder toss game.
These and other features of the applicant's disclosure are set forth herein.
The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
Before one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure are not limited in their application to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and the arrangement of steps set forth in the following detailed description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, the subject embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods for converting a foldable arcade-type device to a multi-game foldable arcade-type device are provided herein. In this detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form. Furthermore, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the specific sequences in which methods are presented and performed are illustrative and it is contemplated that the sequences can be varied and remain within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.
As described above, because of the popularity of various sports, many people enjoy sports either as a participant or as a spectator. Unfortunately, most sports are played outdoors on large playing fields or at large indoor facilities. Heretofore, the ability to take aspects of many sports games indoors has been impractical and space prohibitive for most families.
Due to the popularity of sports games and the skill involved to play such games well, games derivative from sports such as basketball, football, baseball, and softball have developed. Games to test a player's basketball shooting or ball-tossing skills are among the most popular at amusement parks, carnivals, and fairs. In more recent years, there has been a trend to scale down the size of such sports games so that the game could move indoors into arcades.
Although arcade games of this type have been used in homes, generally such arcade sports games are not found within a home. This is because, heretofore, such arcade-style game devices were not intended for and do not address the limitations presented by home-usage.
One known device that does address the limitations presented by home-usage is the Exemplary Device, which is described above. This device is adaptable for indoor home-usage while still providing an arcade-type game.
Unfortunately, however, the Exemplary Device is useful for only one type of sport or game. As a result, apparatuses and methods are needed for converting an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device.
Although the prior art includes apparatus for converting an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device, the majority of these arcade-type game devices require significant changes to the original game device or significantly more parts. As a result, additional apparatuses and methods are needed to conveniently convert an arcade-type game device to a multi-game or multi-sports device by applying a minimal number of changes to the device and using a minimal amount of additional parts.
In various embodiments, a device, such as the Exemplary Device, is converted to a multi-game or multi-sports device. The device is converted by applying a minimal number of changes to the device and using a minimal amount of additional parts.
Specifically, in various embodiments, the Exemplary Device is adapted to further include a second goal assembly for a bean bag toss game. The second goal assembly is attached to or made part of the ball return chute.
The first goal assembly 2 is attached to a support portion 11 of the framework 1. The first goal assembly 2 receives balls tossed by a user in a first game. As shown in
In various alternative embodiments, first goal assembly 2 can be any type of ball-tossing goal assembly including, but not limited to, a goal assembly for football, baseball, softball, or lacrosse.
The ball return chute 4 includes a bed 41 and a pair of sidewalls 42 for collecting balls from first goal assembly 2 and returning the collected balls to the user. A first end 411 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to the support portion 11 of the framework 1. A second end 412 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to the foldable portion of the framework 1.
The second goal assembly 8 is attached to or is made part of the bed 41 of the ball return chute 4. The second goal assembly 8 may receive bean bags tossed by the user in a second bean bag game.
In various embodiments, the second goal assembly 8 includes a hole 81 in the bed 41. For example, the bed 41 can be a material, but is not limited to, a foldable cloth, plastic, or netting, and the hole 81 is a hole in that material. The hole 81 may be made large enough to accept bean bags.
In various embodiments, the second goal assembly 8 further includes a container 82 attached to the hole 81 for collecting bean bags received by the hole 81 in the second bean bag toss game.
In
In various embodiments, the width of hole 81 is smaller than the width of the maximum cross-sectional area of a ball used and/or the hoops or holes in the first game so that the hole 81 does not interfere with the ball return functionality of the first game. For example, the hole 81 is smaller than a width of a basketball or hoop so that the hole 81 does not interfere with the return of the basketball in the first game. In various alternative embodiments, the second goal assembly 8 can include a moveable cover (not shown) that is closed for the first game, preventing interference with ball return, and opened for the second game that may be different than the first game.
In various embodiments, the foldable multi-game arcade-type apparatus of
In a first lower position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member 62 stops the returning balls of the first game at second end 412 of the ball return chute 4. In a second higher position of the at least two different positions, the moveable upper cross member 62 acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third ladder toss game. In various embodiments, the higher position may include a height larger than a maximum cross-section of a basketball (e.g., a standard size and/or otherwise dependent on hoop) or hoop. In various embodiments, the higher position may include a height smaller than the maximum cross-section of a basketball (e.g., a standard size and/or otherwise dependent on hoop) or hoop
U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,099 (hereinafter the “'099 Patent”) discloses a basketball return apparatus that includes a ball return chute. The apparatus includes a front-end frame formed by a pair of laterally spaced front corner posts connected by upper and lower front cross members. A vertically adjustable defense bar is mounted in the top ends of the front corner posts and forms a shot barrier over which a basketball must be shot. The defense bar may be adjusted vertically to accommodate the height of a player using the apparatus. In other words, the '099 Patent discloses a vertically adjustable defense bar above a rectangular front-end frame.
The apparatus of the '099 Patent does not include a moveable upper cross member that, in a first lower position, stops the returning balls of a first game and, in a second higher position, acts as part of a third goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a third ladder toss game. The apparatus of the '099 Patent also does not include a moveable upper cross member that forms a rectangular front-end frame with a lower cross member that attaches to one end of a ball return chute and forms rectangular front-end frame without another cross members between the upper cross member and the lower cross member, as disclosed herein.
Returning to
In various embodiments, rectangular front-end frame 6 is connected to the foldable portion of framework 1. Specifically, a second end opening of the first tee joint 63A is connected to a first connecting tube 15A of the foldable portion and a second end opening of second tee joint 63B is connected to a second connecting tube 15B of the foldable portion. In various embodiments, the first telescoping side tube 64A can also slide into first connecting tube 15A and the second telescoping side tube 64B can also slide into the second connecting tube 15B.
The first connecting tube 15A and the second connecting tube 15B are each connected to the foldable portion of framework 1 through one of two curved supports 12. The folding portion also includes two telescopic poles 14 and a U-shaped extendable leg 13 connected to each curved support 12 through a joint 131. Each of telescopic poles 14 includes a support pole 141, a joint 143, and a sliding pole 144 that slides into joint 143.
In various embodiments, the first telescoping side tube 64A and the second telescoping side tube 64B each include at least one detent (not shown) for maintaining the moveable upper cross member 62 in the second higher position for the third game. Each detent of the first telescoping side tube 64A and the second telescoping side tube 64B can engage, for example, one or more holes of the first tee joint 63A and the second tee joint 63B, respectively, or one or more holes of the first connecting tube 15A and the second connecting tube 15B, respectively.
The rectangular front-end frame 6 includes the lower cross member 61, the first tee joint 63A, the second tee joint 63B, the first telescoping side tube 64A, and the second telescoping side tube 64B. Additionally, the rectangular front-end frame 6 is connected to the foldable portion of framework 1 using a first connecting tube 15A and a second connecting tube 15B of the foldable portion. The folding portion includes, but is not limited to, two curved supports 12, two telescopic poles 14, and a U-shaped extendable leg 13 connected to each curved support 12 through a joint 131. Each of the telescopic poles 14 may include a support pole 141, a joint 143, and a sliding pole 144 that slides into joint 143.
The first goal assembly 2 is attached to the support portion 11 of the framework 1. The first goal assembly 2 includes the backboard 21, the baskets 22A and 22B, the ball sensors 23A and 23B, and the opening for a scoring device and scoreboard 24. The ball return chute 4 includes the bed 41 and the sidewalls 42 for collecting balls from the first goal assembly 2 and returning the collected balls to the user in the first game. A first end 411 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to support portion 11 of framework 1. A second end 412 of the ball return chute 4 is attached to the foldable portion of framework 1.
The second goal assembly 8 is attached to or is made part of the bed 41 of the ball return chute 4. The second goal assembly 8 receives bean bags tossed by the user in a second bean bag game. The second goal assembly 8 further includes the container 82 attached to the hole 81 for collecting bean bags received by the hole 81 in the second bean bag toss game.
At step 1110 of the method, a moveable upper cross member of a rectangular front-end frame of a foldable multi-game apparatus is moved from a first lower position that stops returning balls of a first ball-tossing game to a second higher position to act as part of a second goal assembly for ladder balls tossed in a second ladder toss game.
The foldable multi-game apparatus further includes a framework 1. The framework 1 includes a support portion and a foldable portion. The rectangular front-end frame 6 is attached to the foldable portion. A first goal assembly 22a for receiving balls tossed by a user in the first game is attached to the support portion. A ball return chute 4 including a bed 41 and two sidewalls 42 for collecting balls from the first goal assembly 2 and returning the collected balls to the user is attached at a first end 411 of the ball return chute to the support portion and is attached at a second end of the ball return chute 4 to the foldable portion. The rectangular front-end frame 6 further includes a lower cross member 61 that attaches to the bed 41 at the second end 412 of the ball return chute 4. The moveable upper cross member 62 moves with respect to the lower cross member 61 thereby increasing or decreasing the height of the rectangular front-end frame 62 while still maintaining a rectangular shape.
While the present disclosure are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
Further, in describing various embodiments, the specification may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments.
This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/105,574 filed on Oct. 26, 2020, titled “Two Player Three In One Junior Basketball Game,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63105574 | Oct 2020 | US |
