Vertical backboard-tether ball amusement device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With further reference to the drawings, the tether ball game apparatus of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10.
Tether ball game apparatus 10 basically comprises a vertical backboard 12, a support structure 14 for supporting the vertical backboard 12, and a tethered ball 15 secured to the backboard 12.
Viewing the support structure 14 in more detail, it is seen that the same includes a lower base 16 having a lower tube 18 extending upwardly therefrom.
An upper tube 20 is telescopically contained within the lower tube 18 and is adjustable therein such that the height of the vertical backboard 12 can be easily and readily adjusted.
Secured to the top of upper tube 20 is an elongated v-strip 22 that is designed to receive and hold the vertical backboard 12.
As seen in the drawings, vertical backboard 12 comprises a generally square or rectangular board constructed of wood, plastic or other suitable materials.
A pounding or playing surface 24 and 26 is provided on each side of the vertical backboard 12.
There is also provided framing indicia 28 that tends to mark or inscribe a playing area within the surfaces 24 and 26.
Extending across the top of the vertical backboard 12 is an upper edge 30.
A cutout 32 is formed in the upper edge 30.
To mount the tether ball 15 about the upper portion of the vertical backboard 12, there is provided a shaft 34 that spans cutout 32 and is generally disposed along the upper edge 30 of the vertical backboard 12.
Confined on the shaft 34 is a ring 36.
Ring 36 can freely rotate about shaft 34 and can move from side to side along the shaft.
Secured to the ring is a conventional swivel assembly 38.
The tether ball, indicated generally by the numeral 15, is in turn connected to the swivel 38.
In particular, the tether ball 15 includes a tether line 40 connected to the swivel 38 while a ball 42 is connected directly to the tether line 40.
For striking ball 42 and playing the tether ball game of the present invention, the game apparatus of the present invention is provided with a plurality of paddles 44