Tethered ball game apparatus having eccentric tensioning means

• US 4,342,459 A
• Filed: 09/09/1980
• Issued: 08/03/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christopher P. Bath
• Original Assignee: Christopher P. Bath
• Inventors: Pretorius, Willem J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/185,639
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 273/413, 273/26 E, 273/26 EA, 273/29 A, 273/29 BC, 273/29 BD, 273/29 BE, 273/29 BF, 273/29 BG, 256/38, 256/42, 373/333
• US Class Current: 473/575
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0084 the line or cord being fixed to at least two points

Abstract

Ball game apparatus comprising a pair of posts adapted to support a transverse flexible filament therebetween, at least one of such posts having an attachment point for the filament provided on a member pivotally attached to the post with the attachment point and pivot being spaced apart, said member being gravitationally biased to a predetermined position in which the filament is to be in an initial taut condition in use and being such that when the filament is pulled the amount of force about the pivot tends to return the filament to the initial taut condition.

Claims

1. Ball game apparatus, comprising:

a pair of horizontally spaced posts adapted to support a transverse flexible filament therebetween, a member pivotally mounted to at least one of said posts and having an attachment point for an end of said flexible filament, said attachment point and said pivotal mounting being spaced apart, and said member directly embodying means for eccentrically weighting the member relative to its pivotal mounting to gravitationally bias said member to a predetermined position in which the filament is in an initial taut condition in use, whereby when the filament is pulled the moment of force about the pivotal mounting tends to return the filament to the initial taut condition.

2. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which each post has a gravitationally biased member.

3. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the gravitationally biased member comprises a bar pivoted at one end and having a diverging arm extending outwardly and downwardly substantially opposite that in which the filament extends.

4. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which a ball is provided carried at one end of a flexible string having its other end freely slidable along the length of the filament.

5. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the free end is attached by means of a swivel eyelet to the filament.

6. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which a stop is located in the filament at a distance from each post at least equal to the length of the flexible string.

7. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the bar and arm are pivotally secured to each other to be foldable, and are releasably securable in a position at right angles to each other.

8. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one peg and at least one co-operating flexible stay is provided, being adapted to be secured at one end to the peg and at the other end to the top region of a post.

9. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the posts are adjustable in length.

10. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 9 in which each post comprises two tubular sections, one being axially slidable within the other, and securable in any position of slide by a radial screw.

11. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one post has a fixed pin transversely mounted at the top thereof, over which the filament passes in use to a gravitational biased member.

12. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the lower ends of the posts in their operative condition have sharpened points, and have an annular flange projecting radially outwardly therefrom at a position upward of the pointed ends.

13. Ball game apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2 in which the gravitationally biased member is a counterweighted pulley rotationally secured to a post, having in use the filament passing around and secured to its periphery.