Games using tangible projectile – Projectile – per se; part thereof or accessory therefor – Scattershot – material dispensing upon impact – openable to...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2001-12-25
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Projectile, per se; part thereof or accessory therefor
Scattershot, material dispensing upon impact, openable to...
C273S440000, C473S576000, C473S594000, C473S575000, C446S004000, C446S069000, C446S490000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332851
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a toy, and particularly relates to a toy which is similar to a game called “conkers”.
BACKGROUND ART
The game of conkers has traditionally been played using the fruit of the horse chestnut tree. Two players would each thread the nut from a horse chestnut tree (conker) onto a length of string. Both players would each take turns in striking their opponents conker until one of the conkers was broken from its string. The player with the conker left intact at the end of the game was declared the winner.
On disadvantage with using nuts from the chestnut tree was that the nuts are no always readily available. Also, the game requires one of the nuts to be cracked or broken and thus the nuts were not reusable. Another disadvantage with the use of nuts is the difficulty with quarantine restrictions in many countries with respect to passage of fruit and nut produce.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a toy which can be played in a manner similar to that of conkers, but where the toy has at least one, and preferably a plurality of segments which can be struck from the main body of the toy and which can be refitted to allow the conker to be reused many times.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a toy which may provide advantages over the traditional game of conkers, or which may provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
In one form, the invention resides in a toy which has a main body portion which is attachable relative to a line member, and at least one segment which can be struck from the main body portion.
The main body portion may resemble the shape of a traditional conker, and therefore may be substantially spherical. However, it should be appreciated that the main body portion can have a number of different shapes such as part spherical, oval, cuboid, or other curved and/or polygonal shapes.
The size of the main body portion can vary to suit. Again, to resemble a traditional conker, the main body portion may have a cross section size of between 1 to 5 cm.
The main body portion can be attached to the line member by providing a bore through the main body portion through which the line member can pass. The line member can be knotted to hold the main body portion to the line member. Of course, other types of attachments are also envisaged.
The at least one segment is preferably reattachable to the main body portion after it has been struck off. This allows the toy to be reused many times. In another form, the segment can be partially dislodged or moved sufficiently to indicate a “hit”, while still being attached in some form to the main body portion.
The at least one segment is preferably made from a suitably strong material such that it is not damaged when struck from the main body portion. In one form, the at least one segment can be made from suitable plastics material.
It is preferred that the toy has a plurality of said segments and preferably that from 1 to 5 segments are provided. These can be equally or non-equally spaced about the main body portion. As conkers are usually struck on an upper portion, the said segments are usually positioned on an upper portion of the main body portion. However, it is envisaged that one or more segments can be provided on a lower portion of the main body portion. For instance, to allow the toy to be used upside down.
The size of the segments relative to the main body portion can vary, as can the shape of the segments. It is preferred that the size and the shape of each segment is such that it can be struck from the main body portion without excessive difficulty, otherwise the game could quickly lose its appeal. Suitably, the segments comprise about half of the area of the upper portion of the main body portion.
The main body portion may be provided with one or more recesses which can accommodate the one or more segments. It is preferred that the segments have an outer face which is substantially flush with the outside of the main body portion as this can have a bearing on the appeal of the game.
The at least one segment is preferably replaceable such that the top can be reused many times. In one form, the segment is provided with an engagement means which is releasably engageable with the main body portion. In a preferred form, the at least one segment can be releasably clipped into the recesses in the main body portion. It should be appreciated that other types of engagement means are also envisaged.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1258464 (1918-03-01), Riley
patent: 1513773 (1924-11-01), Thompson
patent: 2308524 (1943-01-01), Longnecker
patent: 3139697 (1964-07-01), Mier
patent: 3687452 (1972-08-01), Thompson
patent: 4886273 (1989-12-01), Unger
patent: 5165689 (1992-11-01), Forsse et al.
patent: 2143142A (1985-06-01), None
patent: 2317579A (1998-01-01), None
Chiu Raleigh W.
Hoffman Wasson & Gitler PC
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