US3825264A

US3825264A - Miniature table model shuffleboard and shufflebowling game

Info

Publication number: US3825264A
Application number: US00391961A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Dockum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-08-27
Filing date: 1973-08-27
Publication date: 1974-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-23

Abstract

A portable readily transportable combined shuffleboard and shufflebowling game for selectively playing either the game of shuffleboard or the game of shufflebowling which is played in a manner analogous to regular bowling but utilizes a bowl shaped member in place of a bowling ball which is propelled down the alley by a cue such as used when playing shuffleboard, there being provided a collapsible cage adapted to be detachably attached to the end of the game table behind the normal placement of the bowling pins thus providing a combined backstop and collecting tray disposed behind and beneath the end of the game board for catching any pins leaving the game table after being struck by the bowl member during the play of shufflebowling.

Description

United States Patent [191 [111 3,825,264 Dockum 1 July 23, 1974 MINIATURE TABLE MODEL [76] Inventor: Arthur L. Dockum, 628 N. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80909 [22] Filed: Aug. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 391,961

[52] US. Cl. 273/126 R, 273/37, 273/128 R [51] Int. Cl A6311 3/00 [58] Field of Search 273/37, 126, 128

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 202,318 4/1878 Witsil 273/126 R 333,703 1/1886 Vogelsang .1 273/126 R 1.020,.315 3/1912 Schutz 273/126 R 1.980.105 11/1934 Staff..... 273/126 R X 3,014,726 12/1961 Angelier 273/128 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 500,304 1/1951 Belgium 273/126 R Z4 :QZ

r c 4] 49 O SHUFFLEBOARD AND SHUFFLEBOWLING GAME Primary Examiner-Delbert B. Lowe A portable readily transportable combined shuffleboard and shuft'lebowling game for selectively playing either the game of shuffleboard or the game of shufflebowling which is played in a manner analogous to regular bowling but utilizes a bowl shaped member in place of a bowling ball which is propelled down the alley by a cue such as used when playing shuffleboard, there being provided a collapsible cage adapted to be detachably attached to the end of the game table behind the normal placement of the bowling pins thus providing a combined backstop and collecting tray disposed behind and beneath the end of the game board for catching any pins leaving the game table after being struck by the bowl member during the play of shufflebowling.

ABSTRACT 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Z5 Z6 5 i PATENTED N SHEET 10F 2 minim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to game apparatus and more particularly to a novel combination shuffleboard game and shufflebowling game wherein the shufflebowling game is played utilizing a bowl shaped member adapted to slide along the game board, being propelled by a shuffleboard type cue and being of a height and diameter to strike the bowling pins in substantially the same area and the same manner that a proportionally sized conventional type bowling ball would strike the pins, with a novel collapsible net-like cage adapted to be mounted behind and beneath the end of the game table to catch the pins after being struck by the bowl member.

2. Description of the Prior Art The game of shuffleboard is known as a game of skill wherein participants proceed against one another in accordance with pre-established rules in the sliding of discs longitudinally along a gameboard through the use of cues in a manner to hopefully position the discs within a scoring position as marked on the opposite ends of the shuffleboard court.

Similarly, the game of bowling is known as a game of skill wherein a playerrolls a ball down the alley in a manner to knock down as many as possible of the ten bowling pins which are triangularly placed at the opposite end of the alley.

One. of the principal problems associated with the games of bowling and shuffleboard is that they require a certain degree of physical activityand that they are primarily restricted as to possible locations for playing the same due to the large space required as well as the specialized equipment necessary.

ln-view of such problems, prior art devices have been provided wherein shuffleboard isplayed on a table surface or the like, as well as there being provided bowling games of different types and structures wherein the game of bowling is also played on a table surface. However, due to the distinct differences between the play of the game of shuffleboard and the normal play of the game of bowling, which requires gutters, pin collecting and setting apparatus, and the like, it has been required that such games be provided on separate table surfaces with the cost and expense thereof normally forcing a purchaser to select'which game he wishes to purchase since most cannot justify the simultaneous expenditure of the sums required to purchase both games, due to economical reasons.

A further problem encountered with such table surface games is that the user rnust have a table large enough to adequately support the same so that such prior art games-have been restricted in size and configuration to those readily supportable on a table or between appropriate-chairs which would be expected to be available in the home for use with the game apparatus. This has restricted the overall length of the available game apparatus to such a miniature size that the pins and bowling ball normally provided are so small as to detract from theenjoyment of playing the game. Further, such small size has detracted from the enjoyment of playing the game of shuffleboard such that the most popular form of shuffleboard available is either the smalltoy size used by younger children, or the full sized shuffleboard court normally provided on a rolled up elongated length of flexible material adapted to be unrolled onto a playing surface, providing a full size shuffleboard court.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomes the foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available game apparatus by providing a combined shuffleboard and bowling game apparatus, the bowling game being referred to as shufflebowling as the same utilizes a sliding bowl shaped member rather than a ball, to be slid along the game board surface in the direction of the pins to strike the pins in the same manner as a bowling ball, such being playable on a game table which folds in half for storage and which unfolds to define a playing surface of a large elongated rectangular shape which is self-supporting and permits the player to selectively choose between the games thereon, all of the component parts required for play of either of the games being readily stored between the folded halves of the game table during storage of the same.

It is a'feature of the present invention to provide a shuffleboard game apparatus which may be readily converted into a game of bowling thereon and which is equipped with a removable cage to be attached to one end of the game table during play of the game of shufflebowling in order to prevent the bowling pins from falling off the playing surface after they have been struck by the bowl member which would be used instead of a bowling ball.

A further feature of the present invention provides a game of shufflebowling which is played in a manner analogous to conventional bowling but utilizes a bowl shaped member in place of the bowling ball for sliding along the game table surface under propulsion from a cue as used in the game of shuffleboard, such bowl shaped device simulating the same effect on the bowling pins .as a bowling ball but providing an advantage over the balling ball as to being retained on the game table surface without requiring high curb forming members therearound, with a further advantage being that should the bowl member fall off of the playing surface it would not roll far whereas a bowling ball would roll a substantial distance from the game table under similar circumstances.

A fiirther feature of the present invention provides a game table which is self-supporting and which stands on collapsible legs with the table being adapted to be folded in half with the legs collapsed for easy storage in a minimum of space, such as in a closet, under a bed, and the like, with handles being provided along at least one edge thereof for assistance in transporting the folded game table.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a game table having a permanently marked playingsurface laid out for the play of miniature shuffleboard and also marked for the play of shufflebowling. such markings not detracting from one another and permitting the play of either game without the markings of the other game providing distractions thereto.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a folding game table which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose, strong, durable, and enabling the rapid converttherein;

3 ing of the game table utilizedfor the playing of shufileboard into a simulated bowling alley to be utilized for playing the game of shuftlebowling.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides a shuffleboard game apparatus which is self contained and for which a secondary accessory kit may be sold permitting the adaptation of the shuffleboard game board to a shufflebowling game board, such kit including one orv more bowl shaped members to be utilized in place of a bowling ball, a set of ten or more bowling pins, and a collapsible net formed cage to be mounted behind the pins for trapping and collecting the same after being struck by the bowl member.

The provision of a game table apparatus, such as briefly outlined above, and possessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principal feature of the present invention. The provision of a game table which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture due to its design and simplicity of construction; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand a longlifetime of conventional usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in'appearance; onewhich is readily convertible between theplaying of the game of shuffleboard and the playing of the game of shufflebowling; one which may be folded into a compact and convenient form for handling, carrying and storing with the various components of the games to be played being stored within the folded game table apparatus; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted toperform the services required of it, provides further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following descriptron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game table of the game apparatus as converted for utilization in the play of the game of shufflebowling having the cage attached to'one end of the game board;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the game table of FIG. 1-;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a halfsection of the game table showing the hinges mounted on-the inner endthereof; r v

FIG. 5 isan enlarged exploded fragmentary perspective view of the end of the game table illustrating the manner of attaching the cage to the end thereof;

FIG. 6 isa perspective view of the game table as folded in half for purposes of carrying, transporting, or storage;

FIG. 7 is a partially broken away end elevational view of the folded gar'ne table of FIG. 6 showing the compartment defined between the half-sections of the folded game board for storage of the game components FIG, 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bowl member adapted to slide on the playing surface of the game'table along with the associated end of a cue hav- 4 ing a notch in the forward end thereof conforming to the bowl member for directing and propelling the same along the playing surface; FIG. 9 is a front elevational view, partially broken away, of the bowl member; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one of the discs used in the play of shuffleboard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT denoted by reference numeral 26. The game table 22 is supported on a pair of longitudinally spaced legs 28 which include collapsing supporting hinge members 29 such that the legs may be placed into their operating supporting position normal to the plane of the game table, and may be readily collapsed and folded to an inoperative position substantially parallel to the plane of the game table in a manner permitting the folding of the game table into a compact unit for transporting and storage.

The gametable 22 is preferably manufactured out of a smooth surfaced flat-sided material, such as Masonite, having the playing surface appropriately marked on the top surface thereof. Alternatively the game table 22 may be manufactured of a laminated construction, such as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, having a bottom supporting material 31, such as plywood, Masonite, or the like, with a top material 32 laminated in juxtaposition to the bottom material and defining the playing surface thereon. It is to be understood that the top material 32 may consist of only a thin sheet of treated paper or' the like having the playing surface imprinted thereon and with a self-adhesive backing for securement over the bottom material 31 for providing the marked playing surface.

As seen in FIG. 4, a transversely extending piano type hinge member 34 is shown having one flange recessed into the bottommost edge of inner end 25 of section 24 and connected thereto, with the opposite flange thereof recessed into the bottommost edge of inner end 38 of section 23 and connected thereto. While this particular type of hinge assembly is shown, it is to be understood that in practice various types and forms of hinges may be suitably used, such as a series of transversely spaced separate hinges extending completely across the width of the game table, and the like, the only requirement being that the adjacent

top edges

35 and 36 of inner ends 25 and 38 of the

sections

23 and 24 tightly abut along line 26 to form a smooth continuous playing surface on the game table 22 while still providing for the unhampered opening and closing or folding of the sectrons. The shuffleboard court defined on the playing surface of the game table 22 isof a diagrammatic character provided with marginal lines 41. The triangular diagrammatic zones provided at each end of the game table 22 are designated generally by the reference numeral 42 and are of more or less conventional form in that they are subdivided to provide conventionally arranged score keeping positions identified by the

visual numbers

7, 8, 10, 10 OFF, or the equivalent. The marginal side edges and outermost end edges of the game table panel 22 are fitted and keyed in longitudinally extending grooves 44 provided as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 in the interior surfaces 45 of frame members 46 defining an elongated rectangular frame designated generally by reference numeral 48 which extends about and completely surrounds the marginal edges and marginal ends of the game board 22, projecting substantially normal to the plane of the game board. The frame 48 is composed of suitable lengths of molding or the like marginally bordering the game table and being fastened thereto in any suitable manner, such as by an epoxy glue or the like. The upper portions of the frame 48 project above the playing surface of the game table 22 in a manner to form a bordering curb 49 thereabout and the lower portions depend below the game table playing surface.

A preferred structure would provide that the game table be fabricated in smooth tempered hardboard, such as a Masonite panel or board, that would be about one-eighth inch thick, measuring about 30 inches in width and about 9 feet in length such that each of the

sections

23 and 24 would be approximately 4 /2 feet in length. The perimeter defined by the rectangular frame 48 would consist of a molding that would be fabricated in the form of a wooden frame measuring about 1 inch in thickness and about 4 inches in depth and extending the length and width of the sections. The playing surface of the game table 22 is hard and smooth and needs no wax. Further, the playing surface is provided with no gutters or other dust collectng formations therein, with the game area being defined between the marginal lines 41 and the curb-like member 49 completely surrounding the game board in a manner to encompass the playing area. The legs 28 would preferably be fabricated in tubular steel with each of the legs 28 comprised of a generally U-shaped lower member that would be inverted and attached to two parallel spaced members of tubular steel which, in turn, would be pivotally attached perpendicularly to the bottom of the game table with the set of supporting hinge members 29 providing for operation of the legs in the manner as aforedescribed.

For ease in carrying and transporting the folded game apparatus 20, each of the

sections

23 and 24 is pro-- vided with a handle member 50 along the same side of the game table on frame members 46 with the handles being disposed on each section such that upon folding the sections the handles are in transverse alignment disposed in parallel planes for ease of carrying the game apparatus. Further, to retain the two

sections

23 and 24 in their folded transporting and storage position, a latch member 51 is provided adjacent the outermost ends of the sections centrally thereof for releasably retaining the sections in the folded position.

The game of shuffleboard is played in accord with the regularly established rules governing such play, as are well known, with such play taking place utilizing a plurality of readily distinguishable discs or pucks 55 of a cylindrical configuration such as shown in FIG. 10. Such are distinguishable from one another either by color, design, or decorations placed thereon so that each player may identify his particular discs. It is to be understood that the discs 55 are proportionally sized and shaped relatively to the overall size of the shuffleboard court playing surface so as to provide the same relative proportions as would be encountered in a full regulation size shuffleboard court.

For use in propelling and directing the discs 55 along the playing surface of the game table 22, there is provided a cue of the type generally shown in FIG. 8 having a front end portion 56 with an elongated handle portion 57 extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be grasped in a hand of the player for use of the same. The leading end 58 of the cue 60 is provided with a semi-circular notch 59 of a diameter greater than the diameter of the discs 55 adapted to surround a portion of the discs in directing and propelling the same from one end of the shuffleboard count to the opposite end in the well known manner.

For use in converting the game table for playing shufflebowling thereon, there are provided adjacent the end of section 24 a group of ten individual pin spots which may be relatively dim or lightly marked on the game board 22 so as to not provide any visual interference with the playing of the shuffleboard game, and which are provided for purposes of guiding the initial positioning of a set of bowling pins 71 (FIG. 7) thereon in the conventional manner defining an overall triangular configuration.

In place of a bowling ball there is provided a novel sliding bowl shaped member, henceforth referred to as bowl member 72, having a hollow dish shaped top member 73 with a surrounding side wall 74 tapering inwardly and downwardly from a top edge 75 to be joined with cylindrical side walls 76 of a bottom member 77 having a bottom surface 78 adapted to slidingly engage the playing surface of the game table 22, the major portion of the weight of member 72 disposed near the bottom thereof to prevent tumbling of the bowl member when being used and also to assist in preventing the bowl member from going over the curbing during normal play. A cue 60 is provided of the same shape and configuration as previously described with notch 59 being of a-size and configuration conformable to the diameter of the .bottom member 77 of the bowl member 72 for engaging partially thereabout in a manner to assist in the directing of thebowl member toward the pin spots 70 when the same is propelled theretoward in an attempt to knock down as many bowling pins 71 as possible in a manner analogous to conventional bowling. The cue 60 may be the same cue as utilized with the shuffleboard discs 55 or may be a different cue having a different sized notch 59 sized for the bowl member- 72. The bowl member 72 is preferably of a hollow configuration having a compartment 79 defined therein adapted to receive therein any weighted type of material for changing the weight of the bowl member to thus vary the sliding characteristics thereof along the playing surface of the game table 22.

A cage assembly 80 is provided having a pair of opposed side members 81 of identical rectangular configuration having a notch 82 formed in the forward bottom corner thereof as illustrated in the drawings with each side member having a top edge 83, a bottom edge 84, a front end '85, a back end 86, a back notch end 87, a top notch edge 88, an exterior surface 89, and an interior surface 90. It is thus seen that notch 82 is formed in the corner which would otherwise be defined between bottom edge 84 andfront end 85. Stretching between the respective top edges 83, back ends 86, and bottom edges 84 of the side members 81 is a flexible net-like member 92 of a lengthssubstantially equal to the width of the game table 22.

As best seen in FIG. 5, each side member 81 is adapted to engage the associated side frame members 46 forming frame 48 at the outermost end of the section 24 with each notch top edge 88 disposed parallel to and resting on the top edge surface 93 of a side forming frame member 46 with each notch back end 87 extending normal to the plane of the game table 22 and adapted to be placed in juxtaposition with the back edge 94 of the associated side frame forming member 46, the mounted position being as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 ofthe drawings.

n For detachably retaining the side members 81 in their mounted position, the game table 22 is provided with socket defining rectangular notches 96 in opposed corners of the outermost end thereof in section 24, such notches extending therethrough. Each side member is provided with an elongated rectangular rod member 97 mounted to the interior surface 90 thereof and projecting downwardly therefrom in a manner to extend through socket 96 and be engaged therein to properly position notch top edge 88 on surface 93 with notch back end 87 engaging surface 94, such mounted position of the side members 81 stretching the net member 92 therebetween such as shown in the drawings.

When attached to the game table, front end 85 of each side member 81 projects forwardly of the last row or two of the bowling pins which would be placed on pin spots 70, the opening into the cage assembly 92 being defined between the front ends 85, the top front edge of the net member 92 extending between side member top edges 83, and the playing surface of the game table 22. The bottom edges 84 along with the net member 92 extending therebetween are disposed behind and below the game table 22 in a manner defining a bowling pin and bowl member collecting tray to catch therein any bowling pins 71 which may be knocked off the game table 22 after being struck with the bowl member 72, the collecting tray having a bottom surface 99 defined by the portion of the net member 92 extending between. the side member bottom edges 84.

Further, the net member 92 extending between side member back ends 96 defines a backstop portion 100 for intercepting any bowling pins knocked off the end of the game table and dropping into the collecting tray 99.

In operation, thesections 23 and 24 of the game table 22 are removed from the vplace of storage and transported to the intended place of usage, it being remembered that the components for playing the games of shuftleboard and shufflcbowling are carried between the'folded back surfaces of the sections in the compartment defined-thereby such as illustrated in FIG. 7. At the selected location, the locking means 51 is released and the sections are pivoted at their innermost hinge connected ends 25 and 38 into an aligned co-planar position to define the planar game table 22, with the legs 28being opened in a manner to support the game table. Play of shuffleboard'may then proceed in the normal manner utilizing shuffleboard discs 55 and cues 60 in the known manner.

In converting the game table 22 for use in shufflebowling, the collapsed cage assembly 80 is spread apart and detachably attached to the sockets 96 of the game table 22 in the manner as aforedescribed so as to form a combined backstop and collecting tray as aforedescribed. In this regard, it is to be appreciated that, as the net member 92 is completely flexible, when collapsed the cage assembly 80 occupies a minimum of space as the interior surfaces 90 of the side members 81 are placed in close juxtaposition with the net member 92 folded therebetween for storage in the compartment defined between the backs of the game board sections when in the folded position as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The bowling pins 71 are then initially positioned on the pin spots 70 in the conventional manner, with the bowl member 72 positioned with the bottom surface 78 in sliding engagement with the outermost end portion of game board 22 on section 23, after which cue 60 is used to engage the bowl member in a manner to direct and propell the same longitudinally across the game table in a manner to contact the set-up bowling pins in a manner analogous to conventional bowling. In this regard, it is to be understood that the height and diameter of the bowl member 72 are proportional to the size of the pin members which, in turn, is proportional to the length of the bowling play surface on the game table 22- such that the bowl member contacts the pins in substantially the same area as would be contacted if a proportional conventional bowling ball were used. However, unlike a spherical bowling ball, the cylindrical side wall 76 of the bowl member 72 will engage with the curbing 49 surrounding the game table 22 should the bowl member stray out of the direct playing surface as marked on the game board, with the curb member serving to deflect the bowl member back onto the game table whereas a conventional spherical ball would most likely roll off of the game table and then roll a substantial distance therefrom requiring the player to chase the same before the play of the game can proceed. Further, as the curbing 49 also extends transversely across the outermost end of the section 24, the cylindrical side wall 76 will normally engage such curbing after striking the bowling pins 71 with the curbing acting to normally retain the bowl member 72 on the game board rather than falling into the cage assembly 80. Of course, if the bowl member 72 is slid along game table 22 with over sufficient force, then it will not only serve to knock down the bowling pins 71, but will also most likely proceed to be deflected over the end curbing 49 and into cage assembly 80 from whence it can be reclaimed by the player from the collecting tray 99.

There is thus provided in the present game apparatus 20 a dual purpose game table convertible between the playing of shuffleboardand the playing of the unique newly developed game of shufflebowling, a uniquely v collapsible cage assembly 80 adapted to be detachably attached to an end of the game board, and a highly unique bowl member 72 for use in playing the game of shufflebowling. The garnev table and accessories are of a design readily cleaned and maintained in appropriate operating condition as there are no crevices or other recesses in the game board for dust or other impurities to collect which would affect the sliding characteristics of the bowl member or shuffleboard discs thereover.

Still further, for either varying the skills required by the players or to provide a handicap to one player or another player in an attempt to equalize skills therebetweema weighted type material, suchas stone, sand, and the like may be randomly placed in compartment 79 in bowl member 72 in order to change the weight characteristics thereof, requiring a greater skill on the part of a player to direct the bowl member down the game table 22 with sufficient force to knock down the maximum number of bowling pins 71 while still preventing the bowl member from leaving the game board, such as by tipping over the end curbing 49 should the bowl member be slid with excessive force.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification, as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be restored to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims,

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1s:

1. A miniature table model convertible shuffleboard and shufflebowling game comprising a smooth-surface elongated rectangular game table formed of substantially duplicate rectangular half-sections having abutting inner ends highly joined and foldable about the transverse axis of the hinges into a compact and convenient form for carrying, transporting and storing of the game when not in use, each section of the game table having a smooth top surface provided with a shuffleboard court marked thereon including duplicate longitudinally spaced triangular end zones diagrammatically sub-divided and conventionally numbered 8, 7", and 10 OFF ranging from the apex of the triangular markings to the base portion thereof, an elongated rectangular frame attached to and completely surrounding the marginal edges and marginal ends of the game table and projecting upwards a slight distance above the game table to define a confining curbing completely about the game table, one of the triangularly marked end zones including 10 separate pin spots marked thereon adapted to facilitate the initial positioning and placement of a set of 10 bowling pins thereon in the customary overall triangular pattern, the bowling pins being of substantially identical shape and configuration proportional in size to the overall shufflebowling game table, a bowl shaped member adapted to slide along the game table and being of a height and diameter to strike the pins in substantially the same area that a proportionally sized conventional type bowling ball would strike the pins, an elongated bowl member shoving cue having a leading edge'provided with a notch thereon of a size conformable with the bottom peripheral side wall surface of the bowl member and adapted to temporarily engage the bowl member and directionally propell the same down the game table into the bowling pins in a manner analogous to conventional bowling, and a cage assembly adapted to be detachably secured to the end of the game table having the pins spots thereon forming a combined backstop and collecting tray for any pins leaving the game board after being struck by the bowl member, the collecting tray extending behind and below the end of the game table to receive any pins sliding off the end of the game table with the backstop extending normal to the game board and spaced outwardly from the end thereof and extending from the back edge of the tray upwardly a sufficient distance above the game table to intercept any bowl member struck pins which might otherwise be propelled off the end of the game table.

2. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cage assembly includes a pair of rigid opposed side members, each side member having a front end, a back end, a top edge, a bottom edge, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, and each side member adapted to be detachably attached to a respective side of the game table at the end thereof on which the pin spots are disposed, with the side members adapted to be spaced apart the width of the game table and extending longitudinally of the game table parallel to one another with the front end projecting inwardly of the game table, the side members attached to the game table in a manner not affecting the playing area of the game table, a rectangular notch having a top end and a back edge formed in each side member at the corner joining the front end to the bottom edge, each notch top end adapted to rest on the top surface of the end portion of the associated side frame curbing with each notch back edge adapted to engage the back wall surface of the end portion of the associated end frame curbing with each side member front end projecting forwardly of the outermost row of pin spots and each side member bottom edge extending behind and below the end of the game table, each side member back end spaced outwardly from the end of the game table and extending substantially normal thereto from a position below the level of the game table to a position above the level of the game table, and a flexible net-like member extending transversely from the top edge, back end and bottom edge of one side member to the top edge, back end and bottom edge of the other side member defining the cage assembly having an opening thereinto formed between the side member front ends disposed forwardly of the outermost row of pin spots such that the top of the cage assembly overlaps such pin spots, the back of the net defining the backstop with the bottom of the net defining the pin collecting tray, and the cage assembly being collapsible onto itself for storage upon moving the two side members inwardly toward one another in a manner to place their respective interior surfaces in adjacent juxtaposition, with the cage assembly being readily expanded for utilization upon the attaching of the side members to the game table.

3. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by the means detachably attaching each side member to the game table comprising a pair of socket defining apertures disposed in transversely opposite comers of the pin spotted end of the game table and extending therethrough in a position not affecting play on the game table, and a pair of elongated members each associated with one of .the side members and having one end secured to the interior surface thereof with the opposite end projecting downwardly therefrom adapted for engagement in the associated socket to detachably attach the associated side member to the game table.

4. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each socket is of a longitudinally elongated rectangular configuration, and each elongated member is of a cross-sectional size and configuration complementary to the socket and adapted for snug reception therein in a manner properly positioning the notched portion of each side member in adjacent engagement with the top and end surface of the corresponding side frame member of the game table.

5. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the bowl member is provided with a cylindrical member concentric with the bowl member and forming the bottom game table engaging surface and being of a diameter less than the top diameter of the bowl member, the notch in the leading edge of the cuebeing of a semicircular configuration having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical bottom surface adapted to engage the same in a manner to propell the bowl member in the desired direction toward the bowling pins.

6. The game apparatus as set forth in claim further comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced leg members supporting the game table and adapted to collapse in a folding manner for manual carrying, transporting and storing of the game when not in use.

7. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by a plurality of bowl members and a plurality of manually usable cues each being relatively short and of a size and configuration comparable with the bowl members and with the bowling pins.

8. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the game table is of a laminated construction having a lower supporting member and an upper playing member laminated thereto, the appropriate shuffleboard and shufflebowling markings being imprinted on the upper playing member, the innermost wall surfaces of the frame curbing forming members being provided with a longitudinally extending groove into which the outermost marginal edge and marginal end portions of the game table are fixedly received.

9. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of the bowl members are hollow and are adapted to receive therein weighted material to change the weight and sliding characteristics of the bowl member relative to the playing surface of the game table thus requiring a higher degree of skill on the part of the player to impart just the correct speed and direction to the difierently weighted bowl member to knock down the maximum number of bowling pins without having the bowl member leave the game table playing surface.

Claims

1. A miniature table model convertible shuffleboard and shufflebowling game comprising a smooth-surface elongated rectangular game table formed of substantially duplicate rectangular half-sections having abutting inner ends highly joined and foldable about the transverse axis of the hinges into a compact and convenient form for carrying, transporting and storing of the game when not in use, each section of the game table having a smooth top surface provided with a shuffleboard court marked thereon including duplicate longitudinally spaced triangular end zones diagrammatically sub-divided and conventionally numbered ''''10'''', ''''8'''', ''''7'''', and ''''10 OFF'''' ranging from the apex of the triangular markings to the base portion thereof, an elongated rectangular frame attached to and completely surrounding the marginal edges and marginal ends of the game table and projecting upwards a slight distance above the game table to define a confining curbing completely about the game table, one of the triangularly marked end zones including 10 separate pin spots marked thereon adapted to facilitate the initial positioning and placement of a set of 10 bowling pins thereon in the customary overall triangular pattern, the bowling pins being of substantially identical shape and configuration proportional in size to the overall shufflebowling game table, a bowl shaped member adapted to slide along the game table and being of a height and diameter to strike the pins in substantially the same area that a proportionally sized conventional type bowling ball would strike the pins, an elongated bowl member shoving cue having a leading edge provided with a notch thereon of a size conformable with the bottom peripheral side wall surface of the bowl member and adapted to temporarily engage the bowl member and directionally propell the same down the game table into the bowling pins in a manner analogous to conventional bowling, and a cage assembly adapted to be detachably secured to the end of the game table having the pins spots thereon forming a combined backstop and collecting tray for any pins leaving the game board after being struck by the bowl member, the collecting tray extending behind and below the end of the game table to receive any pins sliding off the end of the game table with the backstop extending normal to the game board and spaced outwardly from the end thereof and extending from the back edge of the tray upwardly a sufficient distance above the game table to intercept any bowl member struck pins which might otherwise be propelled off the end of the game table.

3. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by the means detachably attaching each side member to the game table comprising a pair of socket defining apertures disposed in transversely opposite corners of the pin spotted end of the game table and extending therethrough in a position not affecting play on the game table, and a pair of elongated members each associated with one of the side members and having one end secured to the interior surface thereof with the opposite end projecting downwardly therefrom adapted for engagement in the associated socket to detachably attach the associated side member to the game table.

5. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the bowl member is provided with a cylindrical member concentric with the bowl member and forming the bottom game table engaging surface and being of a diameter less than the top diameter of the bowl member, the notch in the leading edge of the cue being of a semi-circular configuration having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical bottom surface adapted to engage the same in a manner to propell the bowl member in the desired direction toward the bowling pins.

6. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced leg members supporting the game table and adapted to collapse in a folding manner for manual carrying, transporting and storing of the game when not in use.

9. The game apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of the bowl members are hollow and are adapted to receive therein weighted material to change the weight and sliding characteristics of the bowl member relative to the playing surface of the game table thus requiring a higher degree of skill on the part of the player to impart just the correct speed and direction to the differently weighted bowl member to knock down the maximum number of bowling pins without having the bowl member leave the game table playing surface.