Ladder for use in the game of ladder ball

Abstract

A ladder device suitable for use in the play of ladder ball. The ladder device includes a lower rung and a leg assembly connected to the lower rung. A middle arm is connected to the lower rung by middle arm members. An upper rung is connected to the middle rung by upper arm members. The device may be deployed in a game play configuration and also in a collapsed configuration. In the play configuration, legs extend below the lower rung, the middle rung is above the lower rung, and the upper rung is above the middle rung. In the collapsed position, the legs and the upper arms are adjacent to and parallel with the middle arm members. Preferably, the legs and upper arms have a length that is no longer than that of the middle arms, thereby facilitating a compact configuration when folded into the collapsed orientation.

1 . A ladder device for game play comprising:
 a lower rung having a right side and a left side, said right side defining a lower right threaded orifice, said left side defining a lower left threaded orifice;   a middle rung having a right side and a left side, said right side defining a middle right threaded orifice, said left side defining a middle left threaded orifice;   a middle left arm having a lower end pivotally connected to said left side of said lower rung and having an upper end pivotally connected to said right side of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said middle left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position;   a middle right arm having a lower end pivotally connected to said right side of said lower rung and having an upper end pivotally connected to said right side of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said middle left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position;   an upper rung having a right side and a left side, said left side connected to said upper end of said upper left arm, said right side connected to said upper end of said upper right arm;   an upper left arm pivotally connected to said left end of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said upper left arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position; and   an upper right arm pivotally connected to said right end of said middle rung, said pivotal connections allowing for said upper right arm to be positioned and secured in an extended position and in a collapsed position.   
     
     
         2 . The ladder device according to  claim 1  wherein, when said arms are in said extended position, said ladder device is in a play configuration and, when said arms are in said collapsed position, said ladder device is in a carry or store configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The ladder device according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a leg assembly having a right inside leg, a right outside leg, a left inside leg and a left outside leg; 
 said right legs pivotally affixed to said lower rung, said right legs positionable in a collapsed position that is adjacent to and parallel with said right middle leg, said right legs further positionable in a play configuration wherein said right legs are securable in a downward facing split configuration; and 
 said left legs pivotally affixed to said lower rung, said left legs positionable in a collapsed position that is adjacent to and parallel with said right middle leg, said right legs further positionable in a play configuration wherein said left legs are securable in a downward facing split configuration. 
 
     
     
         4 . The ladder device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 said pivotal connections are facilitated by adjacent hinge members, wherein a first hinge member defines a plurality of outside indexing protrusions and a second hinge member defines a plurality of inside indexing protrusions, wherein said indexing protrusions permit securing of said hinge members in a desired orientation with respect to one another. 
 
     
     
         5 . The ladder device according to  claim 4  wherein said hinge members may be disengaged by loosening a tightening member. 
     
     
         6 . The ladder device according to  claim 4  wherein said hinge members are secured in a desired orientation by tightening a hinge member. 
     
     
         7 . The ladder device according to  claim 7  wherein said hinge members and said tightening members are mounted on a stem extending from an end of one of said rungs. 
     
     
         8 . The ladder device according to  claim 7  wherein said stem is threaded and said tightening member is threaded onto said stem. 
     
     
         9 . The ladder device according to  claim 4  wherein one of said outside indexing protrusion and said inside indexing protrusion is comprised of a plurality of protrusions arranged in a circular configuration and the other of said outside indexing protrusions and said inside indexing protrusions is comprised of member for locating between said plurality of protrusions. 
     
     
         10 . A ladder device for game play comprising:
 a lower rung;   a leg assembly connected to said first rung;   a middle arm connected to said lower rung by right and left middle arm members;   an upper rung connected to said middle rung by right and left upper arm members;   wherein, when orientated in an extended configuration, said legs extend below said lower rung, said middle rung is oriented above said lower rung, and said upper rung is oriented above said middle rung;   wherein, when orientated in a collapsed position, said leg assembly and said upper arms are adjacent to and parallel with said middle arm members.   
     
     
         11 . The ladder device according to  claim 10  wherein:
 said leg assembly and said upper arms have a length that is no longer than a length of said middle arms, thereby facilitating a compact configuration when in a collapsed orientation.