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  Foldable pinata stand and methods thereofUSPTO Application #: 20080073468Title: Foldable pinata stand and methods thereof Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of piñata stands, and particularly to a foldable piñata stand and methods which allow for easy quick set up of the piñata assembly and quick and easy folding and transporting of the piñata stand. The present invention is particularly adaptable for setting up a game of piñata in locations where there are no trees or the trees do not have branches of appropriate height for the piñata. The present invention eliminates the need for finding branched trees or other tall structures for hanging the piñata. (end of abstract)
Inventors: USPTO Applicaton #: 20080073468 - Class: 248122100 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Supports, Stand And Bracket, Having Adjustable Bracket The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080073468. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/847,032, filed Sep. 25, 2006, entitled Foldable Pinata Stand and Methods Thereof, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of pinata stands, and particularly to a foldable pinata stand and methods which allow for easy quick set up of the pin ata assembly and quick and easy folding and transporting of the pin ata stand. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Generally, the game of pinata includes a container filled with candy or treats and a stick. The objective of the game is for a hitter to hold the stick and to try to hit the pinata in order to break it and release the candy or treats, while at the same time the pinata is moved up and down by a handler in order to make it more difficult for the hitter to hit the pinata. Traditionally a pinata is attached to a rope and slung over a tree branch to hang. The free end of the rope hangs on one side of the tree branch where it can be pulled and released by a handler in order to allow the pinata to go up and down on the other side of the tree branch where the hitter who is holding a stick tries to hit the pinata to break and release the candy or treats. [0004] The traditional game of pinata works well when the game is played outside near a tree with some branches. However, the traditional game of pinata cannot easily be enjoyed inside buildings or in places where there are no trees with branches at the desirable height. While there has been a trend to produce pinata stands that take the place of a tree branch, further improvements in the transportability and ease of use of pinata stands are desirable and the present invention addresses the existing problems and provides related benefits. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention relates generally to the field of pinata stands, and particularly to a foldable pinata stand and methods which allow for easy quick set up of the pinata assembly and quick and easy folding and transporting of the pinata stand. The present invention is particularly adaptable for setting up a game of pinata in locations where there are no trees or the trees do not have branches of appropriate height for the pinata. The present invention eliminates the need for finding branched trees or other tall structures for hanging the pinata. [0006] The present invention recognizes that pinata stands can be made so that it would be easier to transport the pinata stand and set it up for use by providing a pinata stand with removable pieces or a foldable pinata stand which can be easily carried to the desired location, unfolded and quickly set up, and used in playing the game of pinata. [0007] As a non-limiting introduction to the breadth of the present invention, the present invention includes several general and useful aspects, including a vertical support assembly made from one or more removable pieces and a horizontal hanger attached at one end to the support assembly; a pulley capable of rotating 360 degrees, the pulley being attached to the horizontal hanger for hanging a pinata; and a base having a top side capable of engaging the vertical support assembly, the base having a sharp bottom side capable of penetrating hard earth to support pinata stand in an upright position. [0008] Preferably the support assembly includes a first and a second folding arms pivotally attached to the support assembly at each end, wherein the first folding arm pivots away from the support assembly to become a vertical base support for the support assembly, and wherein the second folding arm pivots away from the support assembly to become the horizontal hanger for the support assembly; a pulley capable of rotating 360 degrees, the pulley being attached to the horizontal hanger for hanging a pinata; and a base having a top side capable of engaging the bottom portion of the support assembly or the vertical base support, the base having a sharp bottom side capable of penetrating hard earth to support pinata stand in an upright position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pinata stand. [0010] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a foldable pinata stand. [0011] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a foldable pinata in folded configuration. [0012] FIG. 2C is a top view of a foldable pinata in folded configuration. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pinata stand includes a support assembly made from one or more removable pieces attached to one another at one or both ends. The support assembly can be made from any suitable rigid material for making a stand capable being used in a pinata game, for example, solid pieces or hollow pieces such as pipes made from rigid material such as wood, metal, plastic, rubber, or a combination thereof. The one or more pieces of the support assembly of the pinata stand can be attached together by any removable attaching means such as pins, screws, nuts and bolts, or any other suitable removably attaching means. The present invention also includes a horizontal hanger attached at one end to one end of the support assembly. [0014] Preferably, the support assembly includes a first and a second folding arms pivotally attached to the support assembly at each end, wherein the first folding arm of the support assembly pivots away from the support assembly to become a vertical base support for the support assembly, and wherein the second folding arm pivots away from the support assembly to become the horizontal hanger for the support assembly. The support assembly and the first and second folding arms can be attached together by any attaching means that allows for the free pivoting action of the folding arms such as pins or nuts and bolts, or any other suitable pivoting attaching means. [0015] More preferably, the first folding arm has mechanism for locking it in place when it has pivoted away from the swing assembly to become the vertical base support, for example, by way of a lock pin which goes through at least a portion of the support assembly into an aperture in the first folding arm and holds the first folding arm locks it in a vertical configuration with the support assembly. More preferably, the second folding arm of the support assembly pivots away from the support assembly to become the horizontal hanger by way of extending up and being laid over the top of the support assembly forming an L-shaped configuration. A locking mechanism similar to the one for the first folding arm could also be used with respect to the second folding arm. [0016] The support assembly and the first and second folding arms can be attached together by any attaching means that allows for the pivoting action of the folding arms such as nuts and bolts, or any other suitable pivoting attaching means. [0017] The present invention also includes a pulley capable of rotating 360 degrees, the pulley being attached to the horizontal hanger for hanging a pinata. The pinata can be attached to a rope and slung over the pulley of the horizontal hanger so that the free end of the rope hangs on one side of the pulley where it can be pulled and released by a handler in order to allow the pinata to go up and down on the other side of the pulley where the hitter who is holding a stick tries to hit the pinata to break and release the candy or treats. It is an important aspect of the present invention that the pulley be capable of rotating 360 degrees because the handler can move around in any which way so as to get out of the way of the hitter without substantially moving away the pinata from it's location, and also to further manipulate the pinata to make it harder to hit for the hitter. [0018] The present invention also includes a base having a top side capable of engaging the bottom portion of the support assembly or the vertical base support, the base having a sharp bottom side capable of penetrating hard earth to support pinata stand in an upright position. The top side of the base and the bottom portion of the support assembly or the vertical base support can be attached together using any removably attaching means such as pins, screws, nuts and bolts or any other suitable removably attaching means. Continue reading... Full patent description for Foldable pinata stand and methods thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Foldable pinata stand and methods thereof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Foldable pinata stand and methods thereof or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Continuously variable drivetrain Next Patent Application: Mounting bracket for square hole racks and round hole racks Industry Class: Supports ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Foldable pinata stand and methods thereof patent info. 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