Apparatus for playing a game

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game includes a timing device comprising a downwardly spiraling track, and a ball constrained to roll down the track, the movement of a ball between defined points on the track indicating the elapsing of a time period, and a device for projecting a ball comprising a guide for directing the ball upwards in a particular direction, along which guide the ball may be flicked. The object of the game is to project balls at a figure using the projecting device and knock the figure over before the ball of the timing device reaches the bottom of the track.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A timing device comprising a downwardly spiraling track having a top and a bottom, and a ball constrained to roll down the track, the movement of a ball between defined points on the track indicating the elapsing of a time period.  
     
     
         2 . The timing device of  claim 1 , wherein the defined points comprise the top and bottom of the track.  
     
     
         3 . The timing device of  claim 2 , wherein the track comprises a flat central platform at the bottom.  
     
     
         4 . The timing device of  claim 1 , wherein the track is a substantially circular spiral.  
     
     
         5 . A device for projecting a ball comprising a guide for directing the ball upwards in a particular direction, along which guide the ball may be flicked.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the guide comprises a substantially straight upwardly inclined ramp.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , including a storage means for storing a plurality of balls to be flicked.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the storage means comprises a second sloping ramp.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said second sloping ramp is in communication with the inclined ramp such that one of a plurality of balls stored on the second ramp rolls to the foot of the inclined ramp for flicking.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus for playing a game, including a timing device comprising a downwardly spiraling track having a bottom, and a ball constrained to roll down the track, the movement of a ball between defined points on the track indicating the elapsing of a time period, and a device for projecting a ball comprising a guide for directing the ball upwards in a particular direction, along which guide the ball may be flicked.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the track comprises a flat central platform at the bottom, the apparatus further including a figure for placing on said platform.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further including rules stating that the object of the game is to project balls at the figure using the projecting device and knock the figure over before the ball of the timing device reaches the bottom of the track.