5-Way PVC Tee & rung spin capabilities??

[Steve King (Admin)]

Does anyone know where to buy the 5-way tee that is used in the Spin It Game?

The first to reply which major hardware store carries it wins the "I found it fist award", lol.

Also, any ideas on how to get a rung to spin as in the Spin It Game? I would guess ball barrings, but I could be wrong.

Steve

[gman]

To get the rungs to spin...put a larger diameter pvc pipe on the outside of a smaller one.

[gman]

www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/pvc.shtml


www.snapclamp.com/prices.htm

[Steve King (Admin)]

Thanks. Yeah, I happened upon that link earlier but it didn't look as if the hole went all the way through the center.

www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/pvc.shtml

www.snapclamp.com/prices.htm

Maybe I need a 6 way. See the pic below for what I mean:



Any ideas where the maker of spin-it happens upon his? Thanks for the tip on getting the rung to spin. I should have known that, duh.

Steve

[gman]

You could drill the hole thru the 5way, or if you want it to be like the one in the picture you could make one from a 2x6.   Keep in mind the actual dimensions of a 2x6 are 1 1/2" x 5 1/2".

[Steve King (Admin)]

Gman, I'm gonna start calling you the mathematician. Great job with the drawing. That would be a great alternative route to take with a 2x6 only if one couldn't locate the 6-holed adapter that is used in the spin-it game. It has to be sold somewhere, because I can tell from the picture that it is a manufactured part. I'm sure eventually, some visitor will chime in on where it can be bought. In the meantime, I may just bore that 2x6 per your instructions.

Steve

[Buggs41]

I liked Gmans drawing also. If you can work triganomitry, you will always succeed. However, I thought what about using a hole saw on a piece of 2X6? The 'plug' would be the part you use. It would already have a center hole created by the pilot bit. All that would be left is drilling the extra five holes for the 'spokes' at the correct angle.

[gman]

I have a feeling that this is a proprietary component. My guess is they have someone making this that does injection moldings.

[Steve King (Admin)]

Holy cow, that's it Gman! Now, you could be correct about this, but if not and they are sold elsewhere on the web or out in town, then ya know, someone could make a mint off of this one piece. It's a hot item, because I get a lot of emails askin' for it. Sure, you could go and buy the spin-it game, but it's much more fun (I think) building it and too, saves a lot of $$$$$, since the game is going for $80+ on Ebay.

Steve

[Buggs41]

I wonder if they offer replacement parts? If so, I bet that one cost's quite a bit.

[Fatboy]

i Have this game, and the 5 way is definatly not available any place. each of the holes has a "keyway" in them. The elbows that slide down into them have a notch on them. Thus the elbow slides down in the "keyway" then you turn it a little and it the notch then sticks out the little hole on the 5 way. That is what keeps the elbow from comming out of the 5 way

[Spin It]

All, this is true...The wheel, adaptors, and the game is patented and trademarked by Spin It Corp. & Spalding. Full production of Spin-It will be coming soon. For Christmas. If you want any info. feel free to contact Joe at [e-mail] Keep checking their website...I spoke with Joe personally and he indicates the new design is amazing.

[Buggs41]

Thanks for the info Joe.

[gman]

Well I just got a quote back from a custom molding company to have the 5way fitting made.

Tooling cost $7550.00
7 week lead time
price per part to manufacture $1.05

With a 100% markup I would have to sell 7,190 just to pay for the tooling....Somehow I just don't see that happening.

Oh well at least I know now.

PS: it was really nice for Joe to stop by and let us all know how things are going

[Steve King (Admin)]

Well I'll be a son-of-a-gun! Look what I just found on Ebay:


He calls it "Ferris Wheel Golf". I betcha the owner of The Spin It Game (website no longer around as of 4-2014) wouldn't be too happy that someone is violating his patent. Or is it a violation since this spin it game version has 5 versus 4 spinning rungs sold by this seller? Now, I bet this adapter is the one that I have pictured above, eh? The last patented "spin it game" went for $142.49 on Ebay. This just may cut into the "Spin it games" profits.

[Steve King (Admin)]

Word to the wise:

Today I listed the 5 way PVC adapter (repeat picture below and purchase link above) on Ebay to a) spread the word on where to get it and b) to make a few extra bucks (the american way), and not a few hours past and I'm getting an Email from Ebay ID: Joel2018 stating the following:

"I would just like to let you know you are infringing on a patent and will be served legal documentation by Spalding if you have not removeded this within 12 hours. For information contact [e-mail] or call Wes at Spalding at 248-797-7267"

So, I obliged and took down the fixed price auction ($1.99 that was) and decided to come here let you all in that Spalding will be making the patented Spin It came in the near future which will be available (so I hear) in stores. The owner of Spin It states that the deluxe version will cost around $50 (heard this before I listed the PVC 5-way fitting on Ebay) in the future. I don't know if this will be 1 or 2 spinning games though. So, to each their own, buy it from Spin It or be the handy man and make it by finding a 5, 6 or 7 way PVC fitting. I will state this, the 6 and 7 way fittings are impossible to find. If you get a 5 way (best bet, link above), then you'll have to drill a hole through the center to turn it into a 6 way and have 4 spinning rungs. This is most likely what the copy cat seller for the spin it game did on ebay (see link above). Spin it is aware of his auction and I'm sure has already contacted him regarding patent infringement (sort of like my ebay web link auction, lol).

Steve

[Gary from spinitgame]

There has been so much talk on where to buy a six way tee for the spin-it game, we decided for fun to put one on ebay to see if anyone would buy it. (Do I get the "I found it first award"?). We are as surprised as everyone at what the game is selling for on ebay, but from the emails we have been receiving, there is a lot of interest. We are gearing up to have them for sale before Christmas.

We are also in the process of redesigning the game. It will have fewer parts and will be easier to put together and take apart. If you watch our website (ADMIN:  website no longer around as of 4-2014 update of this forum), we should have pictures of the new game within the next couple weeks.

As far as the copycat game on ebay, yes it is in violation of the patent. We did not specify the number of rungs on the wheel, knowing someone would try to make a similar game.

[e-mail]   (out of business as of 4-2014 update of this forum)

[gman]

I feel obligated to give my input here. I have been involved in the patent process for over 15 years. I know for a fact that this is not infringing on a patent. It would only be infringement if you made an exact copy of a patented product. Spin-it even admits to not having a patent yet on their web site when they put “patent pending”. This statement alone tells me that Ebay ID: Joel2018 is just trying to push out the competition. Please visit this link www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/patpend.htm

Notice this is a quote from this link “Patent Applied For" or "Patent Pending." These phrases have no legal effect, but only give information that an application for patent has been filed in the Patent and Trademark Office. The protection afforded by a patent does not start until the actual grant of the patent. False use of these phrases or their equivalent is prohibited.”
If it is protected with a patent ask for the patent number!!! This guy is just being pissy. And if it was me that got the email I would kindly point him to the above link. And ask him to have his legal department provide me with said patent number and then and only then would I remove my action.

Also here is a list of patent numbers for ladder golf or similar games (his is not in this list)

6308956
5522597
5165694
4487419
3717348
3701531
2797924

Also to show the true competence of this person, they do not even have any trademarks on the product or on any of the following (spinit, spin-it, spinitgame, spin-it-game, spin-itgame, ect.). Trust me when I say I have done my homework on this. I do patent drawings for a living.

My advice is put the auction back up. If they are willing to provide a patent number they remove it. Until then he is just blowing smoke!!!!!

PS: If I sound pissed its because I run into this scenario all the time.

[gman]

Gary give us a patent number please.

[gman]

I also find it very ironic that the makers of "ladder golf" (we know it by the wood side posts) have listings on ebay right along side the backyard knock-offs and they seem to get along just fine. ;D








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