US3480275A - Game - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 25, 1969 H. JERNSTROM ET AL 3,486,275

GAME

Filed Aug. 10, 196? l N V E N TOE S HA/VS Jam 5720M MAAV/A/ x 64455 av 654M a ATTORN 5Y5 United States Patent 3,480,275 GAME Hans Jernstrom, Northbrook, and Marvin I. Glass,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, 111., a partnership Filed Aug. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 659,761 Int. Cl. A63f 9/00; A63]: 71 /.00

U.S. Cl. 273-1 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game comprising a pair of flexible, adjustable loopforming elements joined together in side-by-side relation by a third flexible element, each of said loop-forming elements having 'an inside diameter suflicient to enable a pair of players to removably position themselves within said loop-forming element with the latter encircling their waists, and a chance means-for. indicating a plurality of positions and/or activities for the players. Each pair of players attempts to be the first to remove themselvesfrom the loop-circling element while acting in accordance with the random instructions from the chance means.

Background of the invention The present invention relates generally to a game device and is particularly directed to a physical activity game involving a contest between opposing teams of players.

Summary of the invention A game device comprising a pair of flexible, loopforming elements joined together by a third flexible element, each of said loop-forming elements having an inside diameter suflicient to enable a pair of players to removably position themselves within said loop-forming element with the latter encircling their waists, and said third flexible element being sufliciently long to provide a spaced-apart relation between the two encircled pairs of players while still providing an effective means of restraint on the freedom of movement of the encircled players.

Brief description of the drawing The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates the use of the game device;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the game device;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the chance device used for instructing the play of the game;

FIGURE 4 is a plastic hand which may be used in the play of the game; and

FIGURE 5 illustrates a mask or blindfold which may be used in the play of the game.

With reference to the drawings, particularly FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the frame device comprises a pair offlexible loop elements 12 and 14, which are joined together by anotherflexible element 16. Each of theloops 12 and 14 is sufiiciently large to encircle a pair of players at their waists, and each loop is adjustable in size, as by means of abuckle 18. Thus it is seen that each of theloop elements 12 and- 14 is generally in the form of a large belt including the buckle at one end and provided at the other end with a series ofopenings 20 for receiving theprong portion 22 of the buckle. Preferably the loop elements, 12 and 14, and theflexible element 16 joining the two loops, are made of a suitably resilient material, such as plastic, leather, etc. and are preferably brightly colored or decorated to provide a game-like appearance. Theflexible element 16 joining the two loops comprises 3,480,275 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 "ice an elongated portion havingend portions 24, 26 which are formed integrally with or fixedly attached thereto, and each such end portion encircles and is slidable on one of the loop elements.

For instructing or directing the play of the game there is provided a suitable chance means, such as thespinner element 28 seen in FIGURE 3. The spinner element comprises a generally flat board orbase 30 which is marked oif in circular segments, at least some of which bear instructions to be followed by the players. Theboard 30 is provided with a vertically extending post orpivot 32 upon which is mounted a spinner orpointer 34. Extending from the hub of the spinner are threearms 36, 38 and 40, each of different lengths coinciding generally with the radii of the threeconcentric circles 42, 44 and 46 on the board.

In the play of the game there is selected two pairs of teams of players and thegame device 10 is then adjusted to fit the players about their waists. This is done by placing one of theloop elements 12, 14 around the waists of each pair of players, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, and the respective loop elements are then adjusted as to diameter, so that each pair or team has approximately the same amount of slack between the loop element and their waists. In this respect, theplastic hand 48, illustrated in FIGURE 4, might be used as a measure. Thehand 48 is inserted between eachloop 12, 14 and the waist of one of the players of each team, and the loop is then adjusted in diameter to provide only the amount of slack indicated by the width of thehand 48. With each pair of players thus encircled by the twoloop elements 12, 14 and the two teams separated a distance determined by the intermediateflexible portion 16, thespinner 28 is rotated to indicate the type of simultaneous activity required of both teams. In this respect, theouter portion 46 of the spinner might indicate the relative position of the team members, that is front-to-front or back-to-back etc. Theintermediate circle 44 might indicated further or additional activity or positioning of the team members, such as requiring that they hold one hand of their team mate, and theinner circle 42 indicates the direction which they must move the loop element in order to free themselves. The object of the game, of course, is to be the first team to be free from the encircling loop element after a starting signal is given. In accomplishing their object, it is not only necessary for both members of the team to cooperate and coordinate their actions in raising or lowering theloop element 12, 14, but each team is additionally hampered by being attached tothe opposing team through the intermediate flexible element 1. Additional obstacles might be provided for the opposing teams, such as requiring each of the players to be blindfolded, as by use of a mask 50 as shown in FIGURE 5.

Thus it is seen that there is provided a game device which provides for a novel form of contest, including entertainment and physical activity, between opposing teams of players. Further, the nature of the game played with such device, and the use of the chance means or spinner provided with the game device, provides an almost endless variety of forms of activity in the play of the game. Although shown and described with respect to particular apparatus and forms of play, it' will be apparent that modifications might be made without departing from the principles of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A game device comprising a pair of flexible, loopforming elements joined together in side-by-side relation by a third flexible element, each of said loop-forming elements having an inside diameter at least sufiiciently large to enable a pair of players to removably position themselves within said loop-forming element with the latter 3 encircling their waists, said third flexible element being sufliciently long to provide a spaced-apart relation between the pairs of players encircled by said loop-forming elements while still providing an effective means of restraint on the freedom of movement of the encircled players, and chance means having instructional indicia directing various activities of two pairs of players in positioning themselves within said loop-forming elements and in freeing themselves from said loop-forming elements.

2. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said loop-forming elements are adjustable in their circumference.

3. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said loop-forming elements comprises an elongated part having a buckle at one end including a prong portion and a series of spaced-apart openings adjacent the other end to adjustably secure the buckle in position.

4. A game device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said chance means comprises a board provided with a plurality of concentric, circular portions bearing said instructional indicia, and a spinner pivotally mounted on said board at the center of said circular portions and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart arms of different lengths, each arm being of a length corresponding generally with a radius of one of said circular portions.

5. A game device as set forth in claim 4, including means for measuring the amount of slack between each loop-forming element and the pair of players encircled thereby, to thereby equalize the amount of restraint provided by each of said elements irrespective of the differences in sizes of the players.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner PAUL E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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