Secure and collapsible landing-pit stake for the game of horseshoe-pitching

Abstract

A secure and collapsible landing-pit stake for the game of horseshoe-pitching is disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of horseshoe-pitching has a landing-pit. This pit can be clay, dirt or sand on the earth or portable when mounted on a flat surface such as a steel plate. If the stake is removed, it can get lost or be used as a weapon, so permanently mounting the sake prevents this. However, permanently mounted stakes can cause accidents and are difficult when storing portable pits. This invention connects the stake to the landing-pit by a cable. The stake can be screwed into a socket when in use or unscrewed when not in use. The cable is connected in such a way as to not twist when screwing the stake on and off.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The game of horseshoe-pitching has a landing-pit. This pit can be clay, dirt or sand on the earth or portable when mounted on a flat surface such as a steel plate. If the stake is removed, it can get lost or be used as a weapon, so permanently mounting the sake prevents this. However, permanently mounted stakes can cause accidents and are difficult when storing portable pits. The invention claimed here solves this problem.

This invention solves this problem by having one end of a wire cable secured within the stake (pipe).

The other end of the cable is fed through a threaded socket such as a flange or plumber's end-cap and then anchored to the landing-pit (steel plate).

The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. Other landing-pit stakes are permanently mounted or fully removable.

This invention is an improvement on what currently exists. Other landing-pit stakes are not permanently mounted, so stakes can get lost or be used as a weapon. Permanently mounted stakes are a safety hazard as the stake is constantly in the way, which could be tripped over or a person could be impaled if they fall. Also permanently mounted stakes are difficult to store or ship when the landing-pit is a portable version.

The Version of the Invention Discussed Here Includes:

A steel plate landing-pit, a threaded plumber end-cap, plumber pipe threaded on one end, a steel cable, a stopper-bar, cable-crimps on both ends of the cable, and a stopper-tube.

Relationship Between the Components:

The socket (pipe end-cap) is welded to the plate. The pipe can be screwed on and off of the welded end-cap. The cable prevents the pipe from being separated from the plate. The pipe contains a stopper-bar within. The cable is connected to the plate on one end and the other end is crimped within the pipe. A stopper-tube resides within the pipe above the stopper-bar. The cable is fed through the stopper-tube and then crimped. This allows the pipe to spin easily while the cable does not spin. The stopper-bar prevents the pipe from being detached from the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a square steel plate with a pipe connected to its center. FIG. 1 lead-line 102 is the steel plate and FIG. 1 lead-line 101 is the pipe.

DETAILS DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1, lead-line 101 shows a steel, 3/4 inch by 15 inch, plumber pipe.

FIG. 1, lead-line 102 shows a 1/4 by 25 by 25 inch steel plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 103 shows a 1/8 inch, steel cable.

FIG. 1, lead-line 104 shows a 1/2 inch solid steel bar with a 1/4 inch hole drilled through the center. Referred to as the stopper-tube.

FIG. 1, lead-line 105 shows a steel pin (16-penny nail). Referred to as the stopper-bar.

FIG. 1, lead-line 106 shows the threaded end of the pipe. Wherein threads are 3/4 inch pipe standard in accordance with ANSI/ASME B1.20.1 for the American Standard Pipe Thread Taper.

FIG. 1, lead-line 107 shows a plumber pipe-end-cap with a 1/4 inch hole drilled through the bottom.

FIG. 1, lead-line 108 shows the threads within a metal socket, whose threads mate with FIG. 106.

FIG. 1, lead-line 109 shows a cable ferrule crimper.

FIG. 1, lead-line 110 shows a steel washer with the cable threaded through the middle of the washer.

FIG. 1, lead-line 111 shows a 1/4 inch hole drilled in the plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 112 shows where the socket is welded to the plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 113 shows a 1/4 inch hole drilled in the plate.

FIG. 1, lead-line 114 shows a cable ferrule crimper.

How the Invention Works:

The pipe can be screwed on and off of the welded end-cap, but the pipe cannot be removed because the cable is held in place on both ends. The pipe is able to move freely while turning because the cable is crimped above the stopper-tube.

How to Make the Invention:

• • 1. A 3/4 inch plumber pipe is cut 15 inch long and threaded on one end. See FIG. 1, lead-line 101.
  • 2. Three inches from the threaded end, a 1/8 inch hole is drilled through the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.
  • 3. A 16-penny nail is placed through the hole. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.
  • 4. The nailed is welded to each hole and the nail is cut flush with the outside of the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.
  • 5. A 1/8 inch metal cable is cut 10 inches long. See FIG. 1, lead-line 103.
  • 6. A 1/2 inch diameter solid tube is cut 1 inch long. See FIG. 1, lead-line 104.
  • 7. The center of the tube is drilled out with 1/4 inch drill bit. See FIG. 1, lead-line 104.
  • 8. The cable is threaded through the tube's hole. See FIG. 1, lead-line 104.
  • 9. The cable is crimped with a ferrule on one end See FIG. 1, lead-line 114.
  • 10. The tube is slid next to the crimped end of the cable. See FIG. 1, lead-line 104.
  • 11. The cable is fed through the pipe from the non-threaded end of the pipe. Thereby placing the tube above the nail. See FIG. 1, lead-line 104.
  • 12. The cable exits from the threaded end of the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 111.
  • 13. The cable stops when the tube hits the stopper-bar (welded nail) within the pipe. See FIG. 1, lead-line 105.
  • 14. A 1/4 inch steel plate is cut 25×25 inches. See FIG. 1, lead-line 102.
  • 15. A pipe end-cap is welded to the center of the plate with the threads facing upward. See FIG. 1, lead-line 112.
  • 16. A 1/4 inch hole is drilled through the center of the end-cap and plate. See FIG. 1, lead-line 111.
  • 17. The cable is fed through the hole in the center of the end-cap and plate. See FIG. 1, lead-line 111.
  • 18. A 1/4 inch hole is drilled through the plate 1/2 inch from the base of the end-cap. See FIG. 1, lead-line 113.
  • 19. The cable is fed through this hole. See FIG. 1, lead-line 113.
  • 20. A washer is placed over the cable. See FIG. 1, lead-line 110.
  • 21. The cable is ferrule crimped. See FIG. 1, lead-line 109.

All elements are necessary for this invention.

Other configurations for this invention could use other flat surface materials such as wood, metal, or plastic instead of a steel plate for the landing area. The landing area and pipe could be other dimensions. The length of the cable and drill hole locations could be different. Also a pipe flange could be bolted to the landing-pit instead of welding an end-cap.

How to Use the Invention:

The plate is the landing area for the game of horseshoe-pitching. The plate can be covered with dirt, sand, clay, foam, rubber, or other forms of padding. The pipe is screwed to the plate to hold the pipe upright during the game. For safety, storage, or shipping, the pipe is unscrewed and laid on top of the plate.

Additionally: This invention securely holds a pipe on a surface while enabling the pipe or surface to be spun. Other usages for this could be in any mechanical device such as a motor vehicle's axial holding a tire with a safety cable. The tire could spin freely, but if the tire were to fall off, the cable would hold the tire near the axial. This invention could also be used in other applications where a rod is used such as in the game of ring-toss.

Claims

1. The game of horseshoe-pitching has a landing-pit and a stake in the middle of the pit. This pit can be clay, dirt or sand on the earth or portable when mounted on a flat surface such as a wooden board. If the stake is removed from the pit, the stake can get lost or be used as a weapon, so permanently mounting the sake prevents this. However, permanently mounted stakes can cause accidents and are difficult when storing portable pits. This invention connects the stake to the landing-pit by a cable. The stake is attached to the pit in a threaded socket. The socket and cable are permanently connected to the pit. The stake can be screwed into the socket when in use or unscrewed when not in use. This invention contains a mechanism within the stake, so the cable does not twist when the stake is screwed or unscrewed. The cable does not twist; thereby not interfering with the screwing action.

2. The stake of claim 1 is made of a metal, plumbing water-pipe: wherein dimensions such as 3/4 inch diameter and 15 inches long can vary.

3. The pit of claim 1, wherein on earth: The stake can be hammered in the center of the clay, dirt, or sand. Whereas, the claim 1 stake is connected to a metal plate and the plate placed underneath the clay, dirt, or sand.

4. The pit of claim 1, wherein portable: The pit can be made of wood, metal, or plastic; wherein dimensions of 1/4 by 25 by 25 inches can widely vary.

5. The pit of claim 1, wherein portable: The pit can be padded with a cloth covered foam material, wherein the materials can vary.

6. The socket of claim 1 is a threaded pipe connector, wherein the stake screws into the socket. Whereas the connector is a pipe-flange or pipe-end-cap can vary.

7. The cable of claim 1, wherein 1/8 inch diameter and 10 inches long can vary.

8. The cable of claim 1: Wherein one end of the cable is securely connected to the pit. The other end of the cable is securely connected in the pipe to a metal tube within the pipe; whereas the pipe spins freely when screwing the stake into the socket and the cable does not twist.