Basketball game amusement device

• US 5,499,821 A
• Filed: 07/03/1995
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MGA Entertainment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Vance Rycroft
• Inventors: Rycroft, Vance
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/498,293
• Time in Patent Office: 260 Days
• Field of Search: 273/357, 273/394, 273/395, 273/396, 273/397, 273/399
• US Class Current: 273/357
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0612 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/249 projecting the playing bodies through the air, e.g. with a jump

Abstract

A basketball game amusement device includes a base and a partition to divide the base into a first court and a second court. A first basket is positioned on a first side of the partition facing the first court. A second basket is positioned on a second side of the partition facing the second court. Competitive interest is maintained by positioning a conduit immediately below each basket. When a projectile passes through the basket it is directed by the conduit onto the opponents court. The number of projectiles on the court provides an objective indication to the player as to whether he is winning or losing. A winner is declared when one of the players disposes of all of his projectiles onto the opponent'"'"'s court.

Claims

1. A basketball game amusement device, comprising:

a base;

a partition extending substantially vertically from the base to divide the base into a first court and a second court, the partition having a first side facing the first court and a second side facing the second court;

a first basket secured to the first side of the partition;

a second basket secured to the second side of the partition;

a first projectile launcher positioned on the first court, whereby basketball-like projectiles are launched toward the first basket;

a second projectile launcher positioned on the second court, whereby basketball-like projectiles are launched toward the second basket;

a first conduit having a basket end and a partition end, the basket end being positioned immediately below the first basket such that a projectile passing through the first basket is directed into the first conduit, the partition end passing through the partition from the first court to the second court, the basket end being elevated in relation to the partition end, such that a projectile entering the basket end of the first conduit travels by force of gravity to the partition end where it exits the first conduit onto the second court; and

a second conduit having a basket end and a partition end, the basket end being positioned immediately below the second basket such that a projectile passing through the second basket is directed into the second conduit, the partition end passing through the partition from the second court to the first court, the basket end being elevated in relation to the partition end, such that a projectile entering the basket end of the second conduit travels by force of gravity to the partition end where it exits the second conduit onto the first court.