Ball and hoop game

• US 4,787,635 A
• Filed: 06/01/1987
• Issued: 11/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allen G. Mynatt Jr
• Original Assignee: Allen G. Mynatt Jr
• Inventors: Mynatt, Allen G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/055,834
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 446/170, 446/207, 446/219, 446/236, 446/409, 446/417, 446/418, 446/421, 446/422, 446/431, 273/109
• US Class Current: 273/109
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/08 Juggling or spinning ball games played as games of skill A63B67/16 takes precedence

Abstract

An eye-hand coordination game includes a hand-held hoop assembly and an untethered ball. A plurality of connecting posts and clicking assemblies join two rings of the hoop assembly. The game is utilized by keeping the unconstrained ball in motion along the inner edges of the rings via centrifugal force, whereupon a rhythmic, clicking sound is produced in time with the movement of the ball.

Claims

1. A device for improving eye-hand and body coordination, comprising:

a hoop assembly having a pair of rings and a cooperating unconstrained ball;

each of said pair of rings being planar in form and identical to each other and having an inner periphery;

a plurality of posts connecting said rings in an axially spaced manner; and

a plurality of clicking assemblies within said hoop assembly engageable by said ball as it is rolled about said ring inner peripheries, wherein each said clicking assembly includes a stationary post spanning said spaced rings, a pin slidably disposed through said stationary post, a clicking dowel affixed to the outer end of said pin and, elastic means yieldingly securing said dowel to said stationary post.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connecting posts and said clicking assemblies are used to bridge said planar rings at points equidistant along the circumference of said planar rings.

3. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said unconstrained ball is formed of fluorescent material, whereby said ball is viewable in the dark.

4. A device for improving eye-hand and body coordination, comprising:

a hoop assembly including a pair of rings and a cooperating unconstrained ball;

each of said rings being spaced apart, planar and identical to the other of said rings and having an inner periphery;

a plurality of posts connecting said rings in an axially spaced manner; and

,

a plurality of mechanically actuated clicking assemblies within said hoop assembly engageable by said ball as it is rolled about said ring inner peripheries.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each said clicking assembly includes, a stationary post spanning said spacing rings, a pin slidably disposed through said stationary post, a clicking dowel affixed to the outer end of said pin and, elastic means yieldingly securing said dowel to said stationary post.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said connecting post and said clicking assemblies are used to bridge said planar rings at points equidistant along the circumference of said planar rings.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said unconstrained ball is formed of fluorescent material, whereby said ball is viewable in the dark.