Pocketed Or Apertured Patents (Class 273/398)
  • Publication number: 20030011132
    Abstract: A dart game apparatus for alternate participation by a plurality of players by skillfully dropping projectiles toward a target, having defined thereon a plurality of discrete, identified regions, through a vertical tubular structure to acquire a score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: David Aubrey Jackson
  • Publication number: 20020130467
    Abstract: A projectile target game apparatus in which the object is to toss a projectile preferably one having a weighted forward end and a rearwardly extending grasping stick portion into the open face of a box-like enclosure having a lower target wall and a centrally disposed target disposed therein. The portions of the target wall surrounding the opening are provided with a resilient material or itself is resilient such that the incoming projectiles striking such surface will be rebounded therefrom to a position either against the upwardly extending walls or outwardly of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Brendon B. Woods
  • Publication number: 20020125644
    Abstract: A throwing game including a target comprised of a horizontal base portion and a vertical mark portion. The vertical mark portion includes a pair of vertical posts extending upwardly from the horizontal base portion. The pair of vertical posts have a plurality of crossbars extending therebetween. A plurality of projectiles are adapted for being thrown at the crossbar of the vertical mark portion of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: David Knudson
  • Publication number: 20020058556
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: PATENT CATEGORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20020032085
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Patent Category Corporation
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6354968
    Abstract: A pitcher protection net device in baseball practice having a frame installed on the ground to vertically extend to cover a pitcher from his front. A net closes a space surrounded by the outer edge of the frame and is attached to the frame. The frame includes a main frame forming one lateral portion on one widthwise side. An auxiliary frame projects from the lower portion of the main frame toward the other widthwise side to form the other lateral portion of the frame. The pitcher protection net device in baseball practice includes an extension net that closes a corner space surrounded by this side edge of the upper portion main frame on the other side and the upper edge of the auxiliary frame. The extension net is capable of deflecting downward. The pitcher protection net device also includes an adjusting means for adjusting the amount of deflection of the upper edge to the extension net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Toa Sports Machine Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazu Nozato
  • Patent number: 6270080
    Abstract: A coin-operated item vending and game apparatus includes a coin-operated item vending machine and a game module. The vending machine includes a support base, coin deposit, vendable items dispenser, globe and elongated central support member. The game module includes a housing, target and flexible resilient lever. The housing is disposed within the globe. The target is disposed within the housing. The lever is disposed below the target and extends through the housing and globe such that an outer end of the lever is disposed exteriorly of the globe. A depression defined on the lever receives a coin. The outer end of the lever is manually depressed downwardly by the user causing bending of the lever from an initial condition and creating an upward force because of the resiliency of the lever. Release of the lever by the user allows the lever to spring back to its initial condition and toss the coin upwardly such that the coin will either make or miss the target depending on the skill of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Kil Jae Chang
  • Patent number: 6264573
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right: side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6192635
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are provided that have a single panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering selected portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, the fabric assuming the unfolded orientation of the frame member. The single panel can further include an amusement feature provided thereon, or can be used as a cover for an object, a pool, pond, box, case or shelter, or can be used as a base with an opening provided in the fabric through which an object can be inserted. The single panels can even be combined to form structures having different configurations and utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Patent Category Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 6189889
    Abstract: A portable backstop device for enabling an individual to practice throwing and pitching baseballs without a catcher. The backstop device includes a front panel and a back panel which are attached to each other to form a backstop member. A portion of the back panel extends beyond a bottom edge of the front panel, so that the portion can be folded such that a bottom edge of the portion of the back panel can be detachably connected to the bottom edge of the front panel to define a pocket for collecting thrown and pitched baseballs. A rectangular shaped aperture formed in the front panel of the portable backstop member enables an individual to practice throwing balls and strikes without an umpire. Balls entering the aperture are collected in the pocket thus, saving time and energy spent in retrieving the thrown baseballs and also substantially prevents the baseballs from getting scuffed from hitting backfences and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Sam Yip
  • Patent number: 6179295
    Abstract: A frog target game including a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, an open front face, a rear wall, and opposed side walls. The top wall has a plurality of apertures therethrough in a spaced relationship. The plurality of apertures include a central aperture. The central aperture has a frog disposed thereover. The frog has an open mouth aligned with the central aperture. A plurality of chips are provided that are dimensioned for being received within the plurality of apertures of the top wall of the housing. A drawer is provided that is dimensioned for being received within the open front face of the housing. The drawer is comprised of a front wall, a back wall, opposed side walls, a bottom wall, and an open top. The bottom wall has a plurality of compartments formed therein corresponding with the plurality of apertures of the housing. Each of the compartments have an assigned point value. The plurality of compartments include a central compartment corresponding with the central aperture of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Carlos Lanza
  • Patent number: 6030300
    Abstract: Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and support panels includes a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric material substantially covering the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Patent Catergory Corp.
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Patent number: 5704612
    Abstract: An arcade game including a number of playing pieces having distinct colors and a number of targets associated with at least one of the distinct colors. A sensor apparatus is arranged to sense the color of a playing piece received by a target. The targets can preferably be highlighted to draw a player's attention to a designated target. A scoring apparatus changes a game score when the color of a ball received by a highlighted target matches a color associated with the highlighted target. A variation of the game includes a playing piece return mechanism and a playing piece dispenser mechanism. Another variation of the game includes an award dispenser, which dispenses an award based upon the game score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: RLT Acquisition, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Kelly, Bryan M. Kelly, Norman B. Petermeier, John J. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5622369
    Abstract: The resilient game target includes a generally planar surface which has multiple cup shaped concave receptacles. Multiple resilient dome-shaped protrusions surround each cup shaped receptacle such that a game piece which strikes a resilient dome-shaped protrusion will be reflected. Multiple target indicia are displayed on the planar surface in association with selected cup-shaped receptacles such that a selected score may be associated with a final resting position of a thrown game piece. The resilient game target is preferably integrally formed of a resilient foam, such as open-cell polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: James F. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5553725
    Abstract: A quarters glass has two compartments, one for receiving a liquid and the other for receiving a quarter which is bounced off a surface. A slot may be formed in the second compartment to permit the quarter to exit the glass. A guide may be connected to the slot to guide the quarter to a predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Keith P. Clemons
  • Patent number: 5431411
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable sports goal and pitch back assembly of tubular construction including a U-shaped main, generally upright frame with a horizontal top bar and two side posts, and a foot member that extends rearwardly at a right angle from the lower end of each side post. There is also a ground-engaging U-shaped base frame that includes a rear cross member and a pair of laterally spaced side members with front ends that connect to the rear ends of the foot members by way of adjustable, releasably lockable hinge joints that are used to lock the main frame at a desired inclination. In one configuration of the assembly, the main frame is vertical, and a net is mounted about the peripheries of the frames, and the assembly serves as a sports goal. The assembly is adjustable to another configuration for use as a pitch back device, by substantially inclining the main frame, and mounting a tensioned rebound net across the face of the inclined frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Ronald G. Padilla
  • Patent number: 5067728
    Abstract: A lawn dart having front and rear portions, the front portion comprising a cylindrically shaped, hollow member fabricated from a flexible material, such as plastic. An elongated flexible tip in first, second and third embodiments is formed as a part of the hollow member, and in a fourth embodiment, is a second component coupled to the hollow member, the flexible tip absorbing and dissipating the energy of impact. A material to provide weight stability to the dart is positioned in the hollow portion of the cylindrical member. In the preferred embodiments, air cushions within the hollow portion act with the flexible tip to enhance the absorption and dissipation of the impact energy. The rear portion of the dart is in the preferred embodiments, permanently secured to the front portion.A target member, comprising a closed ended member, having netting attached thereto, is anchored to the ground and supported thereabove by a plurality of anchor members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Harvard Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Bemanali H. Dadbeh
  • Patent number: 4927160
    Abstract: An automated bag toss game, having a game board surface, with holes formed therein. Items are provided for being tossed toward and into the holes, and the game automatically keeps track of and displays running scores based on which holes the bags fall into. In some embodiments the items are bags containing pellets, "bean bags", and at least some of the pellets have magnetic properties. A wire coil is provided for each hole, disposed beneath the surface, for sensing the passage of the bag into one of the holes and producing a signal corresponding to that hole. An electronic circuit is provided for calculating and displaying a score based upon those signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignees: Thomas W. Nichol, Arlyn Johnson
    Inventors: Thomas W. Nichol, Edward T. Gisske, Arlyn Johnson
  • Patent number: 4923201
    Abstract: An automated bag toss game, having a game board surface, with a plurality of holes formed therein. Bags are provided, each containing pellets, at least some of those pellets having magnetic properties. A wire coil is provided for each hole and disposed beneath the game board surface, for sensing the passage of the bag into one of the holes and producing a signal corresponding to that hole. An electronic circuit is provided for receiving the signal and calculating and displaying a score based upon that hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignees: Thomas W. Nichol, Arlyn Johnson
    Inventors: Thomas W. Nichol, Edward T. Gisske, Arlyn Johnson
  • Patent number: 4898392
    Abstract: A combined ring toss game and ball roll game. In a first embodiment, representing the ring toss game, a pair of target standards are used as targets for the rings. Each target standard is cylindrically shaped and is segmented so that an integral staking rod may be alternatively stored internal to the target standard or exposed at the lower end thereof for purposes of insertion into soil. When the staking rod is not used for holding the target standard in an upright attitude outdoors, the target standard is connected with a flat base. The flat base being suitable for use outdoors or indoors. Two differently colored sets of three rings each are preferred, and the object of the game is to score points based upon the accuracy of the toss of each ring in a set. In a second embodiment, representing the ball roll game, the two sets of three rings of the first embodiment are used as targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: Louis D. Goletz
  • Patent number: 4768789
    Abstract: A dart board assembly for use in an electronic dart game. The assembly includes an electrically insulative dart board for catching and releasably holding darts. The dart board includes a spider defining a bull's -eye and a plurality of scoring radials extending from the bull's -eye. The assembly further includes an electrically insulative sensor board positioned adjacent to and aligned with the dart board. The sensor board includes a number of electrically conductive detectors with one detector being positioned in alignment with each of the scoring radials in the bull's-eye. The sensor board also includes an electrically conductive shield surrounding each of the detectors and electrically insulated from each of them. The shield is grounded to prevent cross talk between the detectors. A method of using the dart board assembly of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Inventor: Richard D. Clark
  • Patent number: 4461485
    Abstract: A flying toy includes an aerodynamic disc having a centrally located opening extending therethrough. A plurality of wings are mounted on the disc adjacent the opening and the wings extend upwardly and outwardly from the opening to a point beyond the periphery of the disc. Each of the wings has a straight edge portion and a flat portion extending downwardly from the edge portion toward the disc. The wings are mounted on the disc in such a manner that the disc may be launched with an imparted rotational motion resulting in the straight edge portions being the leading edge of the wing and the flat portions being the trailing edge of the wings so that horizontal launching of the disc with an imparted rotation causes the disc to rise, hover and return to the launching point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Inventors: Ronald F. Horvath, John R. Reid, Thad F. Elsmo
  • Patent number: 4384723
    Abstract: A defensively orientated target assembly or apparatus comprising a main target capable of receiving projectiles and subtargets which when struck act to dislodge projectiles previously situated in strategic positions within the main or primary target. An offensive score is accomplished by landing the projectile within a subsection of the main or primary target. Subsequently, an opponent may dislodge the projectile by successfully striking the associated subtarget.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4258923
    Abstract: A football goal structure which comprises a framework including a number of tubular frame members connected together through elbows interposed between the adjacent tubular frame members, a net secured to the framework and flanged weight means fitted within selected ones of the tubular frame members so as to improve the stability of the goal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Inventor: Fushi Senoh
  • Patent number: 4203592
    Abstract: A game in which annular disks or rings are pitched or tossed at targets provided on each of two similar game mats. Each game mat comprises a small piece of carpet-like material having a stake extending above it and disposed immediately behind a circular aperture of greater diameter than the annular disks or rings. The game mats are spaced by approximately 20 feet and the rings are tossed from behind one game mat toward the other game mat. Points are given according to the proximity of the ring to the aperture after the ring has landed. If a player is able to produce a "ringer" by having the ring land directly over the stake, he wins automatically. Otherwise, the first player to reach a given number of points in his point score is the winner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Inventor: Tony Quatkemeyer