Portable free-standing apparatus for multiple athletic ball games

• US 4,786,053 A
• Filed: 02/17/1987
• Issued: 11/22/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mckenzie Brothers Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mckenzie Brothers Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Barnes, Donald B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/015,696
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1.5 R, 273/1.5 A, 273/29 A, 273/29 B, 273/29 BB, 273/411, 273/410, 273/550, 273/26 E, 273/26 R, 273/26 A, 273/413, 273/127 B, 273/398, 273/400-40 2
• US Class Current: 473/416
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/08 with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball A63B57/40, A63B63/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0079 Balls tethered to a line or cord A63B43/007 takes precedence; other games using tethered balls A63B67/10; games using a bat or racket with a ball tethered thereto A63B67/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/023 Supports, e.g. poles

Abstract

Apparatus readily useful for setting up to play a plurality of water and yard or court games. The construction comprises a plurality of tubing sections, preferably made of polyvinylchloride. The parts can be glued together in large part so that only one or two pieces need to be changed out to set up for different games or sports. The tubing permits the use of water as the ballasting medium, which is readily available and disposable in most situations.

Claims

1. A portable, free-standing apparatus for playing one or more athletic ball games, comprising

a generally "U" shaped base comprised of relatively large diameter pipes adapted to be supported on a horizontal surface with its open side adjacent the side of a pool, and having means through which ballast may be added to or removed from the interior of the pipes,

a first open frame mounted on and extending upwardly from and forwardly toward the open side of the "U" shaped base,

a backboard mounted on the base near its upper end and supporting a basketball net above the horizontal surface,

a second open frame having upright sides mounted on the base and a cross member extending between the upper ends of the sides, and

a back-up net attached to the upright sides and cross member of the second frame and the base for disposal rearwardly of the basketball net.

2. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, including

means by which the first frame may be moved to a position in which the backboard is removed from in front of the net to permit the net to be used as a goal in the playing of water polo.

3. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein

the first frame includes a first pipe mounted on and extending upwardly from the base, a second pipe rotatably mounted on the first pipe, and a third pipe extending forwardly from the second pipe and having means on its forward end to support the backboard.

4. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 3, wherein

the lower end of the second pipe opens to the interior of the base and has an open upper end through which ballast may be introduced.

5. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, including

means for releasably securing the cross member of the second frame to the first frame.

6. Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, wherein

the pipe of the base are plastic, and

the first and second frame are formed of relatively small diameter, light weight tubular members.