Articles of play for use in the game of catch.

This invention relates to a truncheon or fishing glove for use in adult games or in particular in young children for playing the fishing game.

The catch game has been played in the form of a game since ancient times, and more recently as part of a sport such as baseball, etc. As is well known, the game is played by throwing a ball (or similar object) between two or three more players, which players can catch the ball with their bare hands or with the help of a baseball glove or the like.

Although throwing and catching an object like a ball is fun and fairly easy for older children or adults, an astonishing level of coordination is required to successfully play the game, sometimes lacking coordination among younger children who are still in the early stages of the game physical development. However, although younger children generally try to play fishing or related sports relatively eagerly, they may soon become frustrated in their efforts due to their inability to successfully catch the ball.

There are patents in the prior art in which mating sections of VELCRO (registered trademark of the Velcro Manufacturing Company) or Velcro-like materials are used to facilitate the attachment of an object to the front surface of a gaming device.

One of the first of the patents is U.S. Patent 3,032,334, issued May 1, 1962 to Jerome H. Lemelson. The '345 Lemelson patent was directed to an arrow throwing game in which the front surface of the arrow and the front surface of the target were covered with VELCRO material. Therefore, when the arrow was thrown against the target, the arrow stuck to the target, simulating a game like an actual arrow throwing game, but without the danger of using arrows with steel tips.

A second Lemelson patent, US Patent 3857566, issued December 31, 1974, is directed to solving the problem of the arrow detaching from the target area due to the arrow's own rebound when striking the target. The "rebound problem" was addressed in the '566 patent by stretching a Velcro material over a frame, the frame maintaining a predetermined distance between the Velcro material and the wall on which the frame was to be suspended. The arrow was braked against the flexible VELCRO material without rebound during the initial impact of the head of the arrow, thereby preventing detachment between the arrow and the target.

Although the '566 patent addressed the "rebound problem", it did so by providing a frame structure over which the VELCRO material was stretched. Such a solution is clearly unsatisfactory for play equipment to be used in a catch game. A similar patent specifically directed to the catch game is U.S. Patent 3,999,748 issued to William A. Clarke on December 28, 1976. This document is directed to play equipment useful in the catching game with a ball coated with a VELCRO-like material and a catching glove or glove whose outer surface is also coated with a VELCRO-like material. The glove or catching glove is a multilayer device which is formed from an outer layer of VELCRO material, a flexible textile support layer and an intermediate foam layer enclosed between the outer layer and the support layer. The entire multi-layer device is inherently flexible with no rigid parts, although the construction, although not mentioned in the '748 patent, can reduce the "rebound problem" somewhat. However, it is clear that the weak construction of the catching gloves described in the '748 patent prohibits any "hard thrown" balls due to insufficient padding, and moreover, the flexible nature of the entire glove would result in constant hand movement, resulting in use of the glove would be made very difficult for young children.

US Patent 4017076 discloses a target game in which each player has a disc-shaped glove or glove over which a fabric target is stretched which allows a ball covered with strips of Velcro material to be caught. However, there is no disclosure in this patent of the need to reduce the likelihood of the ball bouncing off the catching glove or glove without adhering to it.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide play equipment for use in the catch game, the equipment being somewhat rigid and thus easy for young children to use, while at the same time significantly reducing the "rebound problem".

It is a further object of the present invention to use play equipment for use in the catch game, which play equipment can be used by young children, but which also absorb the high energy of thrown balls without bouncing back or injuring the hand and therefore are useful for both adults and children.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide play equipment for use with a catch game that is simple and economical to manufacture.

According to one aspect, the invention provides a truncheon or catching glove for use by a participant in a game of catching a throwing body, the truncheon or catching glove having a front layer, the substantially entire front surface of which is defined by a multiplicity of irregular fibrous formations, which, in use, interact with the designs of the throwing body for adhering the throwing body to the truncheon or catching glove, characterized in that the truncheon or fishing glove is a multi-layer truncheon or fishing glove with a rigid concave rear layer, a first flexible foam intermediate layer, a second flexible foam intermediate layer and a front layer, wherein the first flexible intermediate layer covers a surface area smaller than the surface area of ​​the rear layer and the second flexible intermediate layer covers a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of ​​the rear layer, the first and second intermediate layers are designed to absorb substantially every impact of the projectile absorb during the catch game and the front layer is held in place by a retaining ring, an inner edge of the retaining ring extending over a portion of the front layer, thereby preventing the front layer from detaching from the second flexible intermediate layer.

A multilayer catching glove is preferably provided for each participant in the catching game, the catching glove having a structure as specified above. The truncheon or catching glove is used for use with a throwing body, the substantially entire surface of which is defined by a plurality of irregular, fibrous formations which enable the throwing body to adhere to the front surface of the truncheon or catching glove, in which case the adherence qualities of the Velcro or similar material, which are present on both the ball and the multilayer glove, allow that the catch game can easily be played by very young personalities who have no advanced physical coordination. Use of the first and second flexible intermediate layers for practical purposes preclude "rebound" when the ball hits the glove, and also provide extensive hand protection in conjunction with the rigid rear layer, allowing adults to play the catch game in which the ball can be thrown with great force and can be easily caught.

In another aspect, the invention provides a truncheon or glove for catching a throwing body with:

(a) a rigid device defining a shape for the truncheon or glove, the rigid device being in the form of a flat, generally circular shell having a convex rear surface and a concave front surface connected by a protruding edge flange are;

(b) a handle defined by a strap on the back surface of the rigid device to allow the user to insert his fingers between the straps and the rigid device so that, when in use, the fingers and palm of the hand against the back surface the rigid device can be kept spread (Figure 1);

(c) a mechanical sticking device which is stretched over the front surface of the rigid device and forms a surface of the truncheon or glove which, in use, can engage a complementary sticking device on the surface of the throwing body so that the throwing body itself can be removed from the Truncheon or the catching glove can also adhere to the impact thereon, the mechanical attachment device being a layer, the front surface of which is defined by a plurality of irregular fibrous formations;

(d) an energy absorption device with a layer of foam disposed between the mechanical adhesive device and the rigid device in a multilayer arrangement which is designed such that the impact of the ball on the mechanical adhesive device is transmitted to the rigid device by the energy absorption device, and which is constructed that any impact by the throwing body on the truncheon or glove is substantially absorbed during the catch game and separation between the truncheon or glove and the throwing body is prevented, the foam layer covering a surface area substantially equal to the surface area of ​​the rigid device;

(e) a retention ring that mates with the peripheral flange of the rigid device, an inner edge of the retention ring extending over and holding a portion of the layer defining the mechanical adhesive device, thereby holding the foam layer.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the use of the present invention as it is used by children to play the catch game;

2A is a rear view of a glove used with the present invention showing a non-adjustable handle;

Fig. 2B is a rear view of a catching glove used with the present invention, showing an adjustable handle;

Fig. 3A is a front view of a catching glove used with the present invention;

3B is an alternative front view of a glove used with the present invention;

Figure 4A is a front view of a ball used with the present invention;

4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of a ball used with the subject invention, showing a weighted center surrounded by a layer of foam;

4C is a cut-away view taken along line BB 'of a ball used with the subject invention, with half a hemisphere removed while leaving the weighted center intact;

5A is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the glove used with the present invention;

5B is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of the glove used with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a top view of the glove used with the present invention with layers of VELCRO, foam, fabric and foam exposed;

7A is a side view of an embodiment of the capture glove of the present invention showing the retaining ring removed;

Figure 7B is a side view of a second embodiment of the glove of the present invention showing the retaining ring removed;

8 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a retaining ring, and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bottom of a retaining ring.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring to Figure 1, there are shown two small children engaged in a catch game while using the game objects in accordance with the present invention. Each child has on his left hand the "catcher's glove" 10 which, as described above, has a front surface covered with a variety of irregular, fibrous formations such as a VELCRO material. A ball 20 is also covered with a mating surface of irregular, fibrous formations, such as VELCRO strips or, preferably, an entire VELCRO covering so that the ball adheres to the catcher's glove when thrown by each child.

2A, 2B and 3A, 3B illustrate a front and rear view of a catcher glove of the catcher. FIGS. 2A, 3A, 5A and 7A relate to a first embodiment of the catcher article, and FIGS. 2B, 3B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment of the catching glove article. The rear layer 50 of the catching glove is preferably made of a polyethylene material that is very strong and makes the catching glove almost unbreakable in the event of hard impacts. It is to be understood that the polyethylene material may have the shape of an actual catcher's glove molded into the surface thereof.

The player grabs the glove by sliding his or her hand under the handle 40. The handle is preferably adjustable for adapting hands of different sizes. In a preferred embodiment, the handle has a strap that passes through the rigid rear layer and is attached to the cotton fabric layer 80 so that the VELCRO cotton fabric layer is further secured in its center. The handle is typically adjustable by a VELCRO lock or other lock. Figures 3A and 3B show the front surface of the glove which, as described above, has a VELCRO covering at surface 35 covering the entire surface of the glove. The VELCRO cover is held in place in a manner described below with the edges of the VELCRO held by a retaining ring 30.

Figure 4A illustrates a preferred embodiment of ball 20, the outer surface of which is substantially covered with irregular, fibrous formations, such as a hairy VELCRO surface. It is understood, however, that almost any type of ball can be used, the surface of which is covered with irregular, fibrous formations. This VELCRO type surface allows the ball to adhere to the front surface of the glove. As shown in FIGS . 4B and 4C , the ball may include a weighted center so that ballast is provided to increase the distance over which the ball can be thrown and to minimize the effect of the wind on the ball. The weighted center 23 can be surrounded by any suitable material. However, it is preferred that the weighted center is surrounded by a foam layer 22.

5A and 5B illustrate a sectional side view of the catching glove. As described, the ball 20 is completely covered with a VELCRO layer for adhering to the Velcro front surface of the catching glove of the catcher. The Velcro front surface consists of a layer of VELCRO material 60, behind which a foam layer 70 is inserted, preferably about 0.8 cm (one third inch) thick, which foam layer is supported by a cotton layer 80. It is to be understood that any suitable substance can be used. Fabrics such as nylon, polyester or silk can be used instead of cotton. A second flexible foam layer 90 is provided under the cotton layer 80, which preferably covers an area of ​​approximately 16 cm² (3.5 inches square), and is arranged so that it is approximately in the center of the catcher's glove. The foam material used for the two layers 90 and 70 is preferably a polyurethane foam. It is understood, of course, that layers 70 and 90 could be combined into a single foam layer. The total distance between layer 60 and the back layer 50 of the glove is typically in the range of about a quarter to about two inches. Accordingly, when the fishing glove is circular, its diameter is typically between about 15 and 30 cm (6 and about 12 inches)

The second embodiment of the subject matter (shown in Figures 2B, 3B, 5B, 6, 7B, 8 and 9) shows the preferred method of manufacturing the subject matter. In this embodiment, the glove 10 is designed to avoid the use of adhesive to adhere the layers to each other as well as to the rigid rear layer 50. This improvement results in substantial savings in both time and material compared to the construction now described in parent application US serial number 490301, filed March 8, 1990, US patent 4995617.

In the second embodiment, the foam layer 90, the fabric layer 80, the foam layer 70 and the VELCRO layer 60 are stacked on top of one another in the rigid rear layer 50 of the catching glove 10. The layers can optionally be sewn onto the handle 70 to hold them in place. More preferably, the handle is a removable belt that loops around the foam layer 70, thereby holding it in place. The fabric layer 80, the foam layer 70 and the VELCRO layer 60 are then sewn onto the handle.

The layers of the catching glove 10 are held in place by the retaining ring 30. The retaining ring preferably has a plurality of teeth 31 which securely grip the VELCRO layer 60. To further assist the retaining ring in holding the layers in place, the rigid rear layer 50 has a plurality of raised protrusions 51, which are preferably arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the inner edge of the retaining ring 30, but define a slightly larger diameter. If e.g. B. the inner edge of the retaining ring 30 is circular and has a radius of 8.25 cm (3 1/4 inches), then the arrangement of the raised protrusions 51 is also circular, the inner edge of the raised protrusions 31 having a radius of 8.6 cm (3 3/8 inches). With this arrangement, the layers are further secured between the inner edges of the retaining ring 30 and the raised protrusions 51.

To further assist in attaching the layers, hairy VELCRO strips 61 can be attached to the periphery of the VELCRO layer 60. Preferably, these hairy VELCRO strips 61 are of a width that fits between the inner edge of the retaining ring and the edge of the rigid back layer 50.

Accordingly, the preferred method of manufacture comprises the following steps:

(a) placing a foam layer 90 in the concave portion of the rigid back layer 50;

(b) attaching a handle 40 through the openings in the rigid backing layer 50 so that the handle goes over the foam layer 90;

(c) placing a fabric layer 80 on top of the handle 40 and foam layer 90;

(d) placing a foam layer 70 on top of the fabric layer 80;

(e) placing a Velcro layer 60 on top of the foam layer 70;

(f) sewing layers 80, 70 and 60 to handle 40;

(g) attaching hairy VELCRO strips 61 to the periphery of the VELCRO layer 60 and

(h) Snap a retaining ring 30 onto the top of the VELCRO layer 60 and onto the rigid rear layer 50 so that all layers are attached to the rigid rear layer 50, thereby forming a glove 10.

It should be noted that the above method of manufacture is only a guideline and that different steps can be combined or carried out in different orders. For example, steps c, d, e and f can be combined, ie the fabric layer 80, the foam layer 70, the Velcro strip 61 can be combined and applied as a single unit after step b. Another example may be step g before step f.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a catching glove in which the layers of Velcro 60, foam 70, fabric 80 and foam 90 are exposed. A series of raised protrusions 51 are provided around the inner periphery of the rigid backing layer 50 to help hold the top fabric, foam and VELCRO layer in place.

7A and 7B are side views of the catcher's glove, showing the handle 40, the glove 10 and the retaining ring 30. The purpose of the retaining ring 30 is to ensure that the VELCRO layer does not come loose when the ball 20 is removed from the glove 10. The preferred retaining ring 30 (see Figures 7B, 8 and 9) has a plurality of teeth 31 located on the portion of the ring that contracts the VELCRO layer. These teeth work to further secure the VELCRO layer.

In the preferred embodiment, a series of hairy VELCRO strips 61 are attached to the periphery of the VELCRO layer 60 to enhance the retention of the retaining ring 30.

It should also be understood that different sections of the glove or ball can be made of different colors and / or can be made of phosphorescent material for exciting play at night.

The advantage of the present invention lies in the use of foam layers 70 and 90, which layers are designed to absorb substantially every impact of the ball during the catch game and thereby prevent loosening between the ball and the catch glove. They are arranged so that the impact of the ball on the mechanical adhesive device, which is defined by the layer 60, is transmitted to the rigid device 50 by the energy absorbing layers 70, 90. Due to the fact that the foam layers absorb approximately 60% of the impact of the ball, the ball adheres reliably to the Velcro front layer of the catcher's glove, ensuring a successful catch game for young children and other relatively uncoordinated individuals.

In addition, the foam layer (s) eliminates any "rebound problem", as they also provide adequate protection for the hand, so that the game objects according to the invention can absorb balls thrown hard by adult games.