Childrens basketball-type game

• US 6,402,153 B1
• Filed: 08/03/2000
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Stewart, Charles Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US09/631,913
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 473/415, 473/480, 473/481, 473/422, 466/369, 273/317, 273/317.3
• US Class Current: 273/317
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/003 specially adapted for a particular function not connected with dolls as electric lighting devices A63H3/006

Abstract

A game includes a base and a toy figure holding a basketball-type hoop. The toy figure is resiliently supported upon the base by a spring support. A sensing lever on the figure responds to the passage of a ball through the hoop to provide a first switch condition. A motion sensor within the figure responds to impacts against the figure to provide a second switch condition. A sound and control circuit is operative within the figure and responds to the switch conditions to play appropriate audible messages from a stored memory set.

Claims

1. A game apparatus comprising:

a base;

a toy figure having a pair of arms, a torso, a pair of hands and a head;

a resilient support joined to said toy figure and said base;

a hoop supported by said toy figure and a ball able to fit through said hoop;

a motion responsive switch sensing motion of said toy figure;

a sensor switch responsive to passage of said ball through said hoop;

a sound and control circuit having means for producing a plurality of audible messages in response to actuation of said motion responsive switch and said sensor switch either alone or concurrently,

said toy figure oscillating upon said resilient support and said base when said toy figure or said hoop is impacted by said ball.

2. The game apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said toy figure includes a tail extending between said torso and said base and wherein said tail includes said resilient support.

3. The game apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said resilient support includes an upper post joined to said torso, a lower post joined to said base and a spring coupled between said upper and lower posts.

4. The game apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said motion responsive switch is supported within said torso.

5. The game apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said sensor switch includes a lever pivotally supported within said hoop.

6. The game apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein said sound and control circuit produces a first audible message when said motion responsive switch is actuated alone and a second audible message when said sensor switch is actuated.

7. The game apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said sound and control circuit produces a first audible message when said motion responsive switch is actuated alone and a second audible message when said sensor switch is actuated.

8. The game apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said toy figure includes a tail extending between said torso and said base and wherein said tail includes said resilient support.

9. The game apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said resilient support includes an upper post joined to said torso, a lower post joined to said base and a spring coupled between said upper and lower posts.

10. The game apparatus set forth in claim 9 wherein said motion responsive switch is supported within said torso.

11. A game apparatus comprising:

a base;

a toy figure having arms, a torso and a hoop held in said arms;

a spring support resiliently supporting said toy figure above said base;

a ball sized to fit through said hoop;

first switch means responsive to motion of said toy figure;

second switch means responsive to the passage of said ball through said hoop; and

means responsive to said first and second switch means for producing a first audible message when said first switch means is actuated alone and for producing a second audible message when said second switch means is actuated.