US2066799A - Hoop ball - Google Patents

Description

HOOP BALL Fired Feb. 1s, 19:56

Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to toys of the type comprising a ball suitably attached to a handle wherein a decided degree of skill and dexterity of movement is required to propel the ball in desired directions.

The object of this invention is to provide a rigid loop at the end of a handle and to attach to said loop by an elastic cord, a ball, adapted upon suitable manipulation by the person operating the toy to be passed through said loop from one side to the other.

Other objects of the invention relate to the manner of attaching the elastic cord both to the loop element and to the ball, as well as to provide an improved toy of this character which is simple in construction and operation and designed `to amuse not only children but also adults.

Theinvention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of the invention are designated by the same reference characters in each of the views, and in which:-

Figure 1 is-a plan view of the toy,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof,

Figure 3 is a detail View showing a modified method of attaching the elastic cord to the ball.

The improved toy comprises a handle Ill of any desired shape and material which is provided at one end with a stili orrrigid loop II of circular or any other shape. The loop II is preferably made of a single length of stiff Wire bent in the form of a circle with the ends of the wire arranged in abutting relation to provide a stem I2, that is adapted to be inserted longitudinally within the handle and secured thereto in any suitable manner. It is to be understood that the form of loop and handle shown constitutes one embodiment of the same as the loop may be made and attached to the. handle in any number of ways. For example, the loop II may be in the form of a ring made either of llat or round metallic stock and may be attached to the handle by means of a screw or rivet. If the handle is of 4metal the loop I I may be spotwelded thereto.

Suspended from the loop II by an elastic cord I4 is a ball I5. The elastic cord I4 is of the type commonly referred to as a rubber band, the ends of which are attached to the loop I I at diametrically opposed points I6 and I 1 as clearly shown in Figure 1. 'I'he ends of the elastic cord are secured in any suitable manner to the wire loop, and

preferably by a double ball-hitch knot. To fasten the ball I5 on the elastic cord I4 the same is drawn through a diametral opening in the ball of less width than the thickness of said cord. Inasmuch as the ball I5 is preferably of rubber 5 there will be a friction grip between the ball and the elastic cord that is more than sufcient to hold the ball in place. In order for the toy to function properly the elastic cord on each side of the ball, see Figure 2, should be of equal length. 10

To properly use this toy, the handle is held in the hand of the person playing with the same, and by a proper manipulation thereof the ball is passed through the loop from one side to the other. This is generally done by bouncing the 15 ball on the oor, then through the loop and to the iioor on the other side, back through the loop and so on. Numerous variations in the manner of playing with the toy readily present themselves, as for example, a skillful operator may pass the ball through the loop from side to side without the same touching the oor.

In Figure 3 there is shown an alternate manner of aflixing the ball I5 to the elastic cord I4, in the form of toy shown in Figure 1. 'I'his is accomplished by bringing together the intermediate portion of' the elastic cord I4 as at 20 and inserting the same through a diametral opening in the ball I5. The ball I5 is pulled up on the end portion 20 of the elastic cord so that the looped end 2I thereof will project from the lower surface of the ball. In view of the elastic nature of the elastic cord I4, the end 2| will assume its natural size thus assisting in holding the ball I5 securely in place. Again both sections of the elastic cord 35 I4 should be of the same length to insure proper suspension of the ball as well as balance thereof, as will be readily appreciated.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what ls claimed is:

A toy comprising a handle, a loop secured to one end of said handle, an elastic cord secured at its ends to said loop at points diametrically opposed to each other, a ball provided with a diametral opening, said elastic cord centrally of 45 its ends being folded to form an end portion adapted to be inserted entirely through said ball opening and to project a slight distance beyond the same to define a looped end, said end portion being held in friction tight engagement within 50 said ball opening.

WILLIAM B. REYNOLDS.

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