Game assembly for multiple sports usage

• US 5,558,338 A
• Filed: 10/26/1994
• Issued: 09/24/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald H. Taub
• Original Assignee: Ronald H. Taub
• Inventors: Taub, Ronald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Theatrice
• Application Number:
  US08/329,432
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 273/26 A, 273/411, 273/55 R, 273/176 B, 273/181 R, 273/182, 273/181 F, 273/181 K
• US Class Current: 473/416
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0097 Ball rebound walls with holes or in combination with nets A63B63/00

Abstract

A versatile, multi-use base assembly constituting a stable support for post-like standards for each of series of different games to be played by children. In a football game and in a soccer game a base-carried supports an upwardly projecting wall. For the soccer game the wall defines a specially-contoured, tension-controlled resilient target area net for forcibly impinging a ball thereagainst, as occurs during the conduct of a game simulating soccer goal shots. The rebound trajectory is a function of the particular zone of the net impinged by the kicked ball, The football game simulates field goal attempts. Again, balls propelled to impact the tensioned, net-like target wall are automatically redirected toward the player for recoupment and for replay. In the basketball game of the invention the ball drops through the hoop to impinge upon an upwardly tilted top surface of the base or pedestal, The ball is, accordingly, redirected to the player.

Claims

1. A game assembly for use in playing different and distinct ball games comprising

multi-functional base means for accommodating a plurality of standards adapted for use, selectively, in a plurality of different ball games,

said base means including a stable pedestal having a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending sockets for matingly receiving therewithin posts for supporting structures including nets,

support post means for seating in said sockets and for supporting a net means

net means defining target zones toward which balls associated with each of said plurality of games may be impelled,

said games including basketball, football, and soccer games.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base means is formed with an interior chamber for accommodating storable weighing material therein for stabilizing said game assembly during play.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sockets in said base means include centrally-disposed socket for accommodating a tubular, upstanding standard for supporting alternately any one of a basketball game backboard having a ring-carried net attached thereto, and a standard for supporting a goal post structure for a football game.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sockets include a pair of laterally-spaced sockets adjacent lateral limits of said base means,

frame means for supporting said net means extending generally upwardly of said base means, said frame means including post means displaced laterally of and beyond said base means at either side thereof for delineating lateral limits of a target zone of said game assembly,

horizontally-extending, rearwardly-displaced upper rod means bridging said post means and for defining an upper framing element of said frame means, and

said net means being connected to said post means and to said upper rod means for defining an areal target zone for a ball impelled thereagainst, to impinge thereon and to rebound therefrom.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 in which said horizontally-extending, rearwardly-displaced upper rod means of said frame means in cooperation with said post means defines a net support having a configurational attitude effective to cause an impelled ball impinging upon an upper areal zone of said net means to be directed arcuately upwardly as it rebounds from said net means, to direct the ball to traverse a return path in the air rather than along the ground.

6. A game assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a U-shaped frame supported on said attached to said post means at an upper end thereof, and

said net means being fastened to said frame to define a target zone for a football directed toward said net.

7. A game assembly as set for in claim (1) 1 wherein said post means comprises a standard having upper and lower ends, said lower end being seated in one of said sockets;

a backboard and a basket ball ring having a net thereon;

adapter means for securing said backboard and said ring at said upper end of said standard for basketball play.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 further comprising means for adjusting the effective height of said standard.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said post means defines a tubular structure adapted for filling with a particulate weighing aggregate.