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US 12,629,577 B1Granted
Tether ball type game system
OwnerSteven Dwyerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A game system for playing on a horizontal surface includes vertical pole with a lower section telescopingly fixed with an aligned upper section. The lower section has a bottom end adapted for fixing with a base. An upper end of the lower section is adapted for receiving the upper section at a height adjustment mechanism. The base is adapted to engage the horizontal surface and may include a weight, a ground-penetrating spike, or the like. The upper section has a top end with a rigid implement connector adapted for receiving a playing implement. A flexible tether has an upper end fixed with the playing implement, and a lower end fixed with a sports ball. The playing implement may include a metallic coil spring, an extension rod, or other playing implement.
Claims14
A game system for playing on a horizontal surface, comprising:
- a vertical pole having a lower section telescopingly fixed with an upper section, the lower section and upper section aligned along a common longitudinal axis;
- the lower section having a bottom end adapted for fixing with a base, the base adapted to engage the horizonal surface, an upper end adapted for receiving the upper section at a height adjustment mechanism;
- the upper section having a top end with an implement connector adapted for receiving a playing implement, and a bottom end adapted for telescopic connection with the top end of the lower section at the height adjustment mechanism;
- and
- a tether having an upper end fixed with the playing implement and a lower end fixed with a sports ball;
- wherein the playing implement is an extension rod that has a proximate end adapted for fixing with the implement connector of the upper end of the vertical pole, and a distal end adapted for connecting with the upper end of the tether;
- and
- wherein the extension rod includes an angle adjustment mechanism comprising two radially ridged plates that when pressed together with a mechanical fastener become rotationally locked together, and when released by loosening the mechanical fastener allow for mutual rotational movement between the two radially ridged plates, one of the radially ridged plates connected with the implement connector and another of the radially ridged plates connected with the proximal end of the extension rod.
5 more elements
A game system for playing on a horizontal surface, comprising:
- a vertical pole having a lower section telescopingly fixed with an upper section, the lower section and upper section aligned along a common longitudinal axis;
- the lower section having a bottom end adapted for fixing with a base, the base adapted to engage the horizonal surface, an upper end adapted for receiving the upper section at a height adjustment mechanism;
- the upper section having a top end with an implement connector adapted for receiving a playing implement, and a bottom end adapted for telescopic connection with the top end of the lower section at the height adjustment mechanism;
- the base including either a weight having a central opening at a top end thereof for receiving the bottom end of the lower section of the vertical pole, and a flat bottom side adapted for resting on the horizontal surface;
- or the base including a ground stake having a central opening at a top end thereof for receiving the bottom end of the lower section of the vertical pole, and a ground-penetrating spike at a bottom end of the base adapted for penetrating into the horizontal surface;
- a tether having an upper end fixed with the playing implement and a lower end fixed with a sports ball;
- and
- one or more hooks fixed with the vertical pole;
- wherein the implement connector includes a threaded aperture, and wherein the playing implement includes a cooperative threaded shaft, the playing implement being able to be screwed into the threaded aperture of the top end of the upper section of the vertical pole;
- wherein the playing implement includes an extension rod that has a proximate end adapted for fixing with the implement connector of the upper end of the vertical pole, and a distal end adapted for connecting with the upper end of the tether, such extension rod including an angle adjustment mechanism comprising two radially ridged plates that when pressed together with a mechanical fastener become rotationally locked together, and when released by loosening the mechanical fastener allow for mutual rotational movement between the two radially ridged plates, one of the radially ridged plates connected with the implement connector and another of the radially ridged plates connected with the proximal end of the extension rod;
- wherein the height adjustment mechanism of the vertical pole includes a cam lock lever that, when in an engaged position, causes a cam to press against the upper section of the vertical pole to lock the upper section to the lower section, and when in a released position allows the upper section to be telescopingly adjusted with respect to the lower section;
- the sports ball selected from the group consisting of:
- a tennis ball, a pickle ball, a football, a golf ball, and a baseball.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.