Game board

A game board includes: a field plate; a rod-shaped manipulation lever disposed under the field plate; and a player figure which is disposed above the field plate and make a play on a ball located on the field plate. The field plate has a long through-hole. The player figure is attached to the manipulation lever through the through-hole. The player figure is movable above the field plate as the manipulation lever is moved in its axial direction, and is rotatable about a pivot portion of the player figure by a rotation manipulation on the manipulation lever. The field plate has, beside the through-hole, a ball holding portion to allow the ball to stay. Part of the player figure is capable of coming into contact with the ball staying in the ball holding portion.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-193710 filed on Oct. 3, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a game board for a game that simulates a sport game.

BACKGROUND

Table-type soccer game machines are known in which a field is formed on the top surface of a rectangular table whose shorter sides measure about 1 m, for example, and two goals are set and player figures of two teams such as goal keepers, forward players, and defenders are arranged in the field so as to be able to be manipulated.

Home soccer game boards are also known which are a miniaturized version of table-type soccer game machines and which assume a box shape having a certain thickness and a rectangular horizontal shape measuring several tens of centimeters in each of two orthogonal directions and have an appearance like a soccer-specific stadium (refer to JP-A-2015-136427, for example).

SUMMARY

In the game board disclosed in JP-A-2015-136427, a top plate that simulates a soccer field is formed with an even number of straight movement grooves parallel with the longer sides of the top plate and players that are attached to manipulation levers can be moved along the straight movement grooves. In game boards having such a configuration, during a game a ball tends to roll along and stop on the straight movement grooves. In those cases, since the ball and the nearest player figure are located on the same straight movement groove, the ball can be moved only in a limited range of direction, that is, mainly in a lateral direction, by a user's manipulation of rotating the player figure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and an object thereof is to provide a game board capable of increasing the degree of freedom of the direction in which a ball can be moved.

One aspect of the present invention provides a game board including: a field plate; a rod-shaped manipulation lever disposed under the field plate; and a player figure which is disposed above the field plate and make a play on a ball located on the field plate, wherein the field plate has a long through-hole, wherein the player figure is attached to the manipulation lever through the through-hole, wherein the player figure is movable above the field plate as the manipulation lever is moved in its axial direction, and is rotatable about a pivot portion of the player figure by a rotation manipulation on the manipulation lever, wherein the field plate has, beside the through-hole, a ball holding portion to allow the ball to stay, and wherein part of the player figure is capable of coming into contact with the ball staying in the ball holding portion.

The above configuration can provide a game board capable of increasing the degree of freedom of the direction in which a ball can be moved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A game board100according to an embodiment of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of the game board100according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2is a plan view of the game board100according to the embodiment.FIG. 3is a plan view of the game board100with a field plate120removed. As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the game board100is equipped with a main body110, the field plate120, manipulation levers130, and goal members400.

The game board100has an appearance like a soccer-specific stadium because the main body110is provided with the field plate120which simulates a soccer field, the goal members400, etc.

As shown inFIGS. 1-3, the main body110has a bottom plate111which is a generally rectangular flat plate and is rounded at the corners. The main body110has an inside circumferential wall113which is erected approximately vertically from the circumference of the bottom plate111. The inside circumferential wall113is formed with a field plate receiving portion114provided at a top edge and having a horizontal surface for supporting the field plate120. A stepped member115which simulates a stand is provided outside the field plate receiving portion114. The main body110also has a horizontal rectangular-ring-shaped outer circumferential flange116which is a flat plate and extends outward from the top circumferential edge of the stepped member115. The main body110further has a side wall119which extends downward from the outside edge of the outer circumferential flange116.

The bottom plate111is formed with straight grooves117approximately parallel with the longer sides of the main body110, and the straight grooves117serve to guide respective rod-shaped manipulation levers130. Launching mechanisms201are provided in the vicinities of the two respective corners of the bottom plate111.

The main body110is formed with, at the centers of its two shorter sides, recesses118in which the goal members400are set, respectively. The bottom surfaces of the recesses118are approximately the same in height as the field plate120which is placed on the field plate receiving portion114.

The inside surface of the side wall119is provided with legs135at its four corners so that the game board100can be placed on a table or the like.

Each manipulation lever130has a rod-shaped portion132, a grip portion131, and a figure mounting stage(s)129. The grip portion131is connected to the rear end of the rod-shaped portion132. The figure mounting stage129is provided at the tip or a halfway position of the rod-shaped portion132.

The manipulation lever130are disposed between the field plate120and the bottom plate111of the main body110(under the field plate120) in a state that the field plate120is attached to the main body110.

An even-number of manipulation levers130are provided at the shorter-side portions of the side wall119. The side wall119and the inner circumferential wall113of the main body110are formed with outer wall long holes127and inner wall long holes125, respectively, which are a little larger than the diameter of the circle of the manipulation lever130in cross section. Each manipulation lever130penetrates through the associated outer wall long hole127and inner wall long hole125and can be moved in its axial direction along the associated groove117of the bottom plate111.

The grip portion131of each manipulation lever130sticks out from the side wall119. Each manipulation lever130is so long that when the grip portion131is located closest to the side wall119, the tip of the manipulation lever130is located in the vicinity of the shorter-side portion, located on the opposite side, of the inside circumferential wall113.

FIG. 4is a side view of the game board100with the main body110removed. As shown inFIG. 4, an erected pin122which is erected from the top surface of the (or each) figure mounting stage129of each manipulation lever130sticks out upward from the top surface of the field plate120through a through-hole104(seeFIG. 5) of the field plate120. For example, an erected pin122for each playerfigure 300for an overhead bicycle shot (described later) is inserted in a support member320. An erected pin122for each playerFIG. 160is inserted in a pivot foot161(example pivot portion) of the playerFIG. 160(seeFIG. 8). In this manner, each playerFIG. 160is held by the associated figure mounting stage129.

When a user advances or retreats the grip portion131of a manipulation lever130in its axial direction, the associated playerFIG. 160is moved along the associated through-hole104of the field plate120.

When the user rotates the grip portion131of a manipulation lever130about its axis, gears provided inside the associated figure mounting stage129are rotated and the erected pin122that is connected one of the gears is rotated. As the erected pin122is rotated, the playerFIG. 160is rotated about its pivot foot161which is fixed to the erected pin122.

FIG. 5is a plan view of the field plate120. As shown inFIG. 5, the field plate120has a generally rectangular flat plate121which is rounded at the corners and goal area portions123which are provided at the centers of the two shorter sides of the flat plate121.

An even number of through-holes104penetrate through the flat plate121so as to extend approximately parallel with the longer sides of the flat plate121.

Corner holes157are formed near two respective diagonal corners of the field plate120. The two corner holes157are approximately circular (slightly elliptical) holes that are smaller in diameter than a ball500(seeFIG. 8). A portion, around each corner hole157, of the field plate120is recessed slightly with the corner hole157as the center and hence each corner hole157can receive a ball500when it rolls and comes close to the associated corner of the field plate120.

In a state that the field plate120is attached to the main body110, a circumferential end portion of the field plate120is supported by the field plate receiving portion114of the main body110and the goal area portions123of the field plate120are fitted in the respective recesses118of the main body110.

Each goal area portion123is formed with through-holes124at its four respective corners.

The back surface of the field plate120is provided with a magnet600(example first magnet) approximately at the middle between the line (denoted by symbol L1inFIG. 5) passing through the centers of the two longer sides of the field plate120and each shorter side of the field plate120.

FIG. 6is a sectional view of the game board100taken along an arrowed line vi-vi inFIG. 1.FIG. 7is an enlarged perspective view of part A inFIG. 5. As shown inFIGS. 5-7, the field plate120is formed with grooves140(example ball holding portions) beside the through-holes104. The grooves140are approximately straight and extend parallel with the through-holes104. Each of the above-mentioned magnets600is disposed between the associated groove140and through-hole104. Each of the grooves140closest to the respective longer sides of the field plate120branches off at one tip. One branch140aextends to the associated corner hole157of the field plate120and the other branch140bis curved toward the associated goal (seeFIG. 5).

Each groove140is shaped like a dish in cross section and has two slant surfaces142and a bottom surface144which is located between the two slant surfaces142. The horizontal width W1of each groove140is greater than the horizontal width W2of each through-hole104.

Recesses141which are wider than each groove140are arranged along the groove140at prescribed intervals. Each recess141is shaped like a dish and has an approximately circular bottom surface143and a circumferential wall145which surrounds the bottom surface143. Each recess141is wider than each groove140; that is, the largest diameter of the circumferential wall145of each recess141is greater than the horizontal width W1of each groove140.

Part of the recesses141have a guide portion147which is formed in such a manner that a portion of the circumferential wall145extends in a prescribed direction. The term “prescribed direction” as used herein includes a direction toward the goal (shooting direction) or a direction toward an area in front of the goal (centering direction). The guide portion147of each of recesses141located in the vicinities of each goal are tapered toward the goal.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram showing how a playerFIG. 160traps a ball500and then shoots at goal. As shown inFIG. 8, the field plate120may be formed with, between a first groove140cand a second groove140dof the plural grooves140, a crossing groove180which extends obliquely passing a through-hole104and connects the first groove140cand the second groove140d.

In the above configuration, a ball500can stay in a groove140that is formed beside the associated through-hole104. Each groove140in which a ball500may stay is formed beside the associated through-hole104along which a playerFIG. 160(160A or160B) is to be moved rather than shares the same axis as the latter. As a result, a user can bring a portion of a playerFIG. 160into contact with a ball500at any of various angles and thereby move the ball500to any of various directions by rotating the manipulation lever130while adjusting the distance between its portion to come into contact with the ball500recognizing the distance visually.

As such, the above configuration makes it possible to provide a game board100capable of increasing the degree of freedom of the direction in which a ball500can be moved.

For example, as shown inFIG. 8, the user can cause a playerFIG. 160Ato move, accurately, a ball500being held in a groove140toward a player160B that is located in front of the goal (i.e., pass the ball500to the player160B). Furthermore, the user can cause a playerFIG. 160Bthat has trapped a ball500to shoot at goal with the foot (right foot) that is different from the pivot foot (left foot) aiming at a position where a keeper player figure is not located.

With the above structures, a ball500may stay in a recess141(seeFIGS. 2 and 7) rather than a groove140. When a ball500stays in a recess141, it is stopped stably and hence the user can easily move the ball500in any of various directions.

With the above structures, when a ball500is moved by a playerFIG. 160from a recess141, the guide147(seeFIG. 7) can guide the ball toward the goal or in a centering direction. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

With the above structures, the direction in which a playerFIG. 160moves a ball500located in a groove140can be guided so as to be directed to, for example, a corner or the goal. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

With the above structures, a playerFIG. 160can move a ball500from a first groove140cto a second groove140dvia a crossing groove180. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

With the above structures, a ball500tends to stay more often in a long groove140which is formed beside the associated through-hole104along which a playerFIG. 160is to move than in the associated through-hole104. Thus, the user can move a ball500easily in any of various directions using a long groove140. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

FIG. 9Ais a plan view of a part, around a launching mechanism201, of the game board100, andFIG. 9Bis a plan view of the part, around the launching mechanism201, of the game board100with the field plate120removed.FIG. 10is a perspective view of the launching mechanism201. Each launching mechanism201is composed of a launching member210, an elastic member203, and a pressing portion170for compressing the elastic member203cooperating with the launching member210.

As shown inFIGS. 9A and 9BandFIG. 10, the launching member210has a body211, an end portion225, rotary shafts213, and a contact portion215. The body211is shaped like a long plate. The end portion225is shaped like an approximately circular dish and is formed at one end of the body211in its longitudinal direction. The top surface of the bottom portion of the end portion225is formed with a projection221which is arc-shaped in a top view.

The contact portion215is shaped like a cuboid and is disposed so as to be rotatable with respect to the body211about a vertical rotation axis that is perpendicular to the rotary shafts213. In a state that the contact portion215is not in contact with any other member, the posture of the contact portion215is fixed by a spring member (not shown) so that its tip portion215ais directed to the associated manipulation lever220(seeFIG. 10).

The rotary shafts213are located approximately at the center of the body211of the launching member210in its longitudinal direction. The rotary shafts213are shaped like cylindrical poles and project outward from the two respective longer-side side surfaces of the body211. The rotary shafts213are supported rotatably by respective bearing portions112which are provided on the bottom plate111of the main body110of the game board100.

The launching member210is supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with respect to the bottom plate111of the main body110of the game board100with the rotary shafts213as a swing center axis. The launching member210is disposed so that the end portion225is located in the vicinity of the corner of the bottom plate111of the main body110of the game board100and the body211of the long launching member210extends parallel with the longer side of the main body110of the game board100.

The corner hole157of the field plate120is formed with a through-hole159which is arc-shaped in a top view, and is disposed so that the projection221of the launching member210projects through the through-hole159in a state that the field plate120is attached to the main body110. A narrow gap is secured between the projection221and the through-hole159so that the projection221can project through the through-hole159.

The elastic member203is a coil spring, for example. One end of the elastic member203is connected and fixed to the bottom plate111of the main body110of the game board100, and its other end is connected and fixed to the back surface of the end portion225of the launching member210. The elastic member203is thus disposed between the bottom plate111of the main body110and the end portion225of the launching member210. Although in the embodiment the coil spring is employed as an example of the elastic member203, the invention is not limited to this case. It suffices that the elastic member203be a component that functions in an elastic manner; the elastic member203may be a leaf spring, a rubber spring, or the like.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 10, the figure mounting stage129that is disposed at the tip of the rod-shaped portion132of each of the manipulation levers130, closest to the respective longer sides of the main body110, among the plural manipulation levers130has a pressing portion170. The pressing portion170is provided on the side surface that is opposed to the launching member210among the surfaces of the cuboid-shaped figure mounting stage129. The pressing portion170has a slant surface170awhich is inclined so as to come closer to the bottom plate111of the main body110of the game board100as the position goes from the rear surface of the figure mounting stage129to its front surface. The pressing portion170is shaped like a right triangle in a side view, and the slant surface170acorresponds to its hypotenuse that is opposed to its right angle.

FIGS. 11A-11Care schematic diagrams illustrating how each launching mechanism201operates.FIG. 11Ashows a state that the slant surface170aof the pressing portion170starts coming into contact with the contact portion215of the launching member210,FIG. 11Bshows a state that the contact portion215of the launching member210is going up across the slant surface170aof the pressing portion170, andFIG. 11Cshows a state that the contact portion215of the launching member210has just gone over the slant surface170aof the pressing portion170.

As shown inFIG. 11A, when the user advances the manipulation lever220(toward the opponent's goal) along the groove117of the bottom plate111, the contact portion215of the launching member210comes into contact with the slant surface170aof the pressing portion170at its low position. At this time, a portion of the projection221projects through the through-hole159and supports a ball500together with the bottom surface of the corner hole157where the through-hole159is formed.

When the user advances the manipulation lever220further, as shown inFIG. 11Bthe launching member210is rotated about the rotary shafts213and the contact portion215of the launching member210is pushed up being kept in contact with the slant surface170aof the pressing portion170. At the same time, the end portion225of the launching member210is moved downward and the elastic member203which is disposed between the end portion225and the bottom plate111is compressed. As the end portion225of the launching member210is moved downward, the projection221the portion of which projected through the through-hole159goes down to leave the bottom surface of the corner hole157and is separated from the ball500.

When the user advances the manipulation lever220still further until the contact portion215goes over the top end of the slant surface170a, as shown inFIG. 11Cthe compression state of the elastic member203is canceled, whereupon the launching member210is rotated about the rotary shafts213and the end portion225which is connected to the elastic member203is elevated toward the through-hole159. As the end portion225is elevated, the projection221of the end portion225goes out of the through-hole159at a fast speed. As a result, the ball500that has been held on the bottom surface of the corner hole157is launched toward an area in front of the goal area portion123.

When the user retreats the manipulation lever220and a rear end surface170bof the pressing portion170comes into contact with the contact portion215, the contact portion215is rotated in the direction in which the manipulation lever220retreats (indicated by arrow R1inFIG. 10). Thus, the user can pull back the manipulation lever220without the pressing portion170's being caught on the contact portion215. After the pressing portion170passes the contact portion215, the contact portion215recovers its posture that the tip portion215ais directed to the manipulation lever220through action of the spring member (not shown).

With the above structures, the projection221can be elevated using an elastic force produced by the elastic member203that is compressed as a result of a movement of the manipulation lever220by a prescribed distance D1shown inFIG. 11A. As a result, a ball500can be launched by the elastic force produced by the elastic member203irrespective of a force that the user applies to the manipulation lever220to move it. Thus, the user need not pay attention to the force of a manipulation he or she performs to launch a ball500and hence can concentrate on a manipulation that should be performed to hit the launched ball500in a well-timed manner. Furthermore, since the elastic force produced by the elastic member203that is compressed by a movement of the manipulation lever220by the prescribed distance D1is always the same, a locus and a speed of a ball500that is launched from the corner hole157into the air can be predicted easily. Thus, the timing to move a playerFIG. 160to cause it to shoot at goal can be adjusted easily.

As such, the above structures make it possible to provide a game board capable of lowering the difficulty of a manipulation for causing the playerFIG. 160to hit a launched ball500.

With the above structures, the swingable launching member210and the manipulation lever220are arranged parallel with each other. Thus, the movement distance (prescribed distance) for compressing the elastic member203can be made long more easily than in a case that the launching member210and the manipulation lever220are arranged so as to cross each other. As a result, the elastic member203can be compressed gradually by a relatively weak force as the manipulation lever220is moved. This provides an advantage that the influence on a manipulation feeling of the user can be made small when a manipulation for compressing the elastic member203is performed.

FIG. 12Ais a perspective view of a playerfigure 300,FIG. 12Bis a side view of the playerfigure 300, andFIG. 12Cis a rear view of the playerfigure 300part of whose torso is seen through.

As shown inFIGS. 12A-12C, the playerfigure 300for an overhead bicycle shot has an appearance that simulates a soccer player and is composed of a player figure body310and a support member320. The center of gravity of the player figure body310is located at a low position.

The player figure body310has a head311including a face311a, a torso313which is formed with two arms, a right leg315, and a left leg317. The torso313has a circular through-hole319which is formed through its belly horizontally. The right leg315extends from the torso313downward approximately in the vertical direction and has a right foot316at its bottom end. The right foot316has a magnet601(example second magnet) inside. The left leg317extends from the torso313down forward and has a left foot318at its bottom end.

FIG. 13Ais a rear view of the support member320of the playerfigure 300,FIG. 13Bis a plan view of the support member320of the playerfigure 300, andFIG. 13Cis a perspective view of a main body350of the support member320of the playerfigure 300.

As shown inFIGS. 13A-13C, the support member320of the playerfigure 300has an inverted-L-shaped main body350, a rotation restriction portion360, and an elastic member370. The main body350of the support member320has a first shaft portion330and a second shaft portion340.

The first shaft portion330has a rod-shaped shaft rod331which extends horizontally, a tip portion332which is formed at the front end of the shaft rod331so as to be approximately shaped like a thin cylinder and is lager in diameter than the shaft rod331, and a cylindrical rear end portion333which extends horizontally, is formed at the rear end of the shaft rod331and is lager in diameter than the shaft rod331.

The rear end of the shaft rod331is connected to a generally circular front surface334of the rear end portion333at its center. The front surface334of the rear end portion333is formed with a step portion335. The front surface334of the rear end portion333is a slant surface that is inclined rearward gently as the position goes counterclockwise in the circumferential direction of the shaft rod331from a front end335aof the step portion335to its rear end335bwhen the front surface334is viewed from the front side (a diagonally left front ofFIG. 13C).

The second shaft portion340has a cylindrical pedestal341and a pillar342which is T-shaped in cross section. The top end of the pillar342is connected to a bottom surface of the rear end portion333. The bottom end of the pillar342is connected to the top end of the pedestal341. The bottom surface of the pedestal341is formed with a recess (not shown) in which the erected pin122can be inserted.

The rotation restriction portion360has a cylindrical portion361, an engagement portion362which is approximately shaped like a thin cuboid and connected to the front surface of the cylindrical portion361, and a cylindrical rear end portion363which is larger in diameter than the cylindrical portion361and is connected to the rear surface of the cylindrical portion361. The engagement portion362is disposed inside and fixed to the torso313of the player figure body310(seeFIGS. 12A-12C) and thereby supports the player figure body310.

The rear surface of the rear end portion363of the rotation restriction portion360is inclined so as to be able to be opposed to and come into contact with the front surface334of the rear end portion333of the main body350, and is formed with a step portion364.

The rotation restriction portion360has a circular through-hole that penetrates through its cylindrical portion361, engagement portion362, and rear end portion363at their centers. The rotation restriction portion360is attached to the shaft rod331of the first shaft portion330of the main body350, that is, the first shaft portion330is inserted through the through-hole of the rotation restriction portion360.

The elastic member370is attached to the shaft rod331of the first shaft portion330of the main body350and located between the tip portion332and the engagement portion362. The front end of the elastic member370is in contact with the rear surface of the tip portion332, and the rear end of the elastic member370is in contact with the front surface of the engagement portion362.

The rear surface of the rear end portion363of the rotation restriction portion360is pressed against the front surface334of the rear end portion333of the main body350by an elastic force produced by the elastic member370. In this state, the rotation restriction portion360can rotate together with the player figure body310in a first circumferential direction D2shown inFIG. 13B. On the other hand, in this state, the rotation restriction portion360cannot rotate in the direction opposite to the first circumferential direction D2because the step portion364is in contact with the step portion335. In this manner, the rotation restriction portion360prevents the player figure body310from rotating in the direction opposite to the first circumferential direction D2from the state shown inFIGS. 12A-12CandFIGS. 13A and 13B.

Thus, in the embodiment, the player figure body310can rotate vertically only in the direction in which the direction of the face311aof the player figure body310turns upward from the horizontal direction of the field plate120.

As shown inFIG. 13B, the step portions364and335are in surface contact with each other at the centers of the rear end portion363and the rear end portion333in the vertical direction as viewed inFIG. 13Bwhich is a top view. Thus, when the player figure body310whose torso313is fixed to the engagement portion362starts to be rotated vertically, the state that the step portion364is in contact with the step portion335is canceled. After the end of the vertical rotation, the step portion364comes into contact with the step portion335again because of the presence of the elastic force produced by the elastic member370and the fact that the center of gravity of the player figure body310is located at the low position.

<Operation Relating to Overhead Bicycle Shot>

FIGS. 14A-14Care schematic diagrams illustrating a series of operations of a playerfigure 300when it performs an overhead bicycle shot.FIG. 14Ashows the playerfigure 300that is advancing toward the opponent's goal,FIG. 14Bshows a state that the playerfigure 300has been turned horizontally so that its back faces the opponent's goal, andFIG. 14Cshows an instant that the playerfigure 300has started an overhead bicycle shot.

As shown inFIG. 14A, the user advances the manipulation lever130that is provided with the figure mounting stage129that is mounted with the overhead shot playerfigure 300. As a result, the overhead shot playerfigure 300advances across the field plate120while continuing to face the goal member400of the opponent.

When the user has advanced the manipulation lever130further and the playerfigure 300comes close to the magnet600which is attached to the back surface of the field plate120, as shown inFIG. 14Bthe user rotates the grip portion131of the manipulation lever130about its axis. As a result, the gears provided inside the figure mounting stage129are rotated and the erected pin122that is connected to one of the gears is rotated. As the erected pin122is rotated, the playerfigure 300is rotated horizontally about the second shaft portion340which includes the pedestal341to which the erected pin122is fixed. As a result, the player figure body310is rendered in a state that its back faces the opponent's goal. The right leg315of the player figure body310comes to be located on a line that is parallel with the longer sides of the field plate120and includes the point where the magnet600is located.

As shown inFIG. 14C, as the user advances the manipulation lever130while the back of the player figure body310continues to face the opponent's goal, the right foot316of the right leg315of the player figure body310passes over the magnet600which is attached to the back surface of the field plate120. At this time, a repulsive force acts between the magnet601located inside the right foot316and the magnet600attached to the back surface of the field plate120. The player figure body310starts to rotate vertically about the shaft rod331of the first shaft portion330due to the repulsive force and a force that acts on the player figure body310when the user advances the manipulation lever130toward the opponent's goal. After the end of the rotation, the posture of the player figure body310returns to the one shown inFIG. 14B.

Vertical rotation of the player figure body310is restricted by the rotation restriction portion360. In a state that the player figure body310is directed forward as shown inFIG. 14A, the right foot316of the right leg315of the player figure body310does not pass over the magnet600which is attached to the back surface of the field plate120. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the player figure body310is located at the low position. Because of these reasons, the player figure body310is prevented from rotate vertically when an overhead shot manipulation is not performed.

With the above structures, when a ball500is launched into the air, the user can cause the player figure body310to rotate vertically to make an overhead bicycle shot on the ball500by advancing the manipulation lever130to which the playerfigure 300is attached.

For example, as shown inFIG. 15a ball500supported by the corner hole157is launched by the launching mechanism201toward an area in front of the goal area portion123. The user advances the manipulation lever130so that the playerfigure 300advances toward the launched ball500, that is, toward the area in front of the goal area portion123. Since the ball500that has been launched by the launching mechanism201reaches the area in front of the goal area portion123taking a prescribed locus, it is easy for the user to bring the left foot318of the player figure body310into contact with the ball500. Thus, an overhead bicycle shot is likely made.

With the above structures, when a ball500is launched into the air by the launching mechanism201, the user can cause the back of the player figure body310to face the opponent' goal by rotating the manipulation lever130to which the playerfigure 300to make an overhead bicycle shot is attached and to cause the player figure body310to rotate vertically by advancing the manipulation lever130.

With the above structures, if the front surface of the foot of the player figure body310hits a ball500located in front of the playerfigure 300when it is rotated horizontally, the ball500can fly forward from the foot, without vertical rotation of the player figure body310.

With the above structures, the user can cause the player figure body310to start an overhead bicycle shot smoothly at the position where the magnet600is disposed. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

FIG. 16Ais a front view of a goal member400before attachment of a back portion424.FIG. 16Bis a front view of the goal member400to which the back portion424is attached. As shown inFIGS. 16A and 16B, the goal member400has a goal post portion410and a goal net portion420. The goal post portion410has a rod-shaped left post411which extends in the vertical direction, a rod-shaped right post412which extends in the vertical direction, and a rod-shaped goal bar413which extends in the horizontal direction so as to connect top end portions of the left post411and the right post412. The goal net portion420has a left side portion421, a right side portion422, a ceiling portion423, and the back portion424.

The left side portion421has a vertically long rectangular shape and is connected to the rear surface of the left post411. Left legs430project from the bottom surface of the left side portion421at front and rear end positions. The right side portion422has a vertically long rectangular shape and is connected to the rear surface of the right post412. Right legs431project from the bottom surface of the right side portion422at front and rear end positions.

The ceiling portion423has a horizontally long rectangular shape and extends from the rear surface of the goal bar413. A left end portion432of the ceiling portion423is connected to a top end portion433of the left side portion421, and a right end portion434of the ceiling portion423is connected to a top end portion435of the right side portion422.

A left bearing portion440is formed at a deep corner that is formed by the left side portion421and the ceiling portion423. A right bearing portion441is formed at a deep corner that is formed by the right side portion422and the ceiling portion423.

The back portion424has a horizontally long rectangular shape and has a rotary shaft portion450which is shaped like a rod and is longer than the longer sides of the back portion424. A left end portion451of the rotary shaft portion450projects leftward from the left shorter side of the back portion424, and a right end portion452of the rotary shaft portion450projects rightward from the right shorter side of the back portion424. The left end portion451and the right end portion452are supported rotatably by the left bearing portion440and the right bearing portion441, respectively.

The left legs430and the right legs431, which are approximately shaped like a cuboid, are slightly smaller than and can be fitted in through-holes124which are formed at the four corners of the goal area portion123, respectively.

In a state that each goal member400is set by fitting the legs430and431in the through-holes124of the goal area portion123, a gap S1is formed between the rear surface of the back portion424and the portion, opposed to the back portion424, of the inner wall surface of the recess118(seeFIG. 2).

<Operation of Goal Members400>

FIG. 17is a schematic diagram illustrating how the back portion424of the goal net portion420of one of the goal members400works when a ball500hits it. As shown inFIG. 17, when a shot ball500goes into the goal member400at high speed and hits the front surface of the back portion424, the back portion424can rotate rearward about the rotary shaft portion450.

FIG. 18is a schematic diagram illustrating how to take out a ball500located inside the goal area portion123. As shown inFIG. 18, when the user pushes the rear surface of the back portion424toward the field with his or her hand, the back portion424rotates forward about the rotary shaft portion450. When a ball500is located in the goal area portion123, the back portion424comes into contact with the ball500and pushes it to the field.

With the above structures, when a ball500flies into the goal member400and hits the front surface of the back portion424of the goal net portion420, the back portion424can rotate rearward. By virtue of the rearward rotation of the back portion424, the ball500that has hit the front surface of the back portion424is not likely to rebound to the area in front of the goal member400, that is, likely settles inside the goal area portion123where the goal member400is set.

As such, the above structures make it possible to provide a game board that allows users to recognize scoring of a goal.

With the above structures, a ball500located in the goal area portion123can be retrieved easily with a hand of the user by rotating the back portion424forward with his or her hand.

With the above structures, since the gap S1is secured which allows the back portion424to rotate rearward away from the goal member400, a ball500is not likely to rebound to the area in front of the goal member400after hitting the front surface of the back portion424, that is, likely settles inside the goal area portion123where the goal member400is set.

As described above, the embodiment of the invention can provide game machines of the following modes:

A first aspect provides a game board including: a field plate; a rod-shaped manipulation lever disposed under the field plate; and a player figure which is disposed above the field plate and make a play on a ball located on the field plate, wherein the field plate has a long through-hole, wherein the player figure is attached to the manipulation lever through the through-hole, wherein the player figure is movable above the field plate as the manipulation lever is moved in its axial direction, and is rotatable about a pivot portion of the player figure by a rotation manipulation on the manipulation lever, wherein the field plate has, beside the through-hole, a ball holding portion to allow the ball to stay, and wherein part of the player figure is capable of coming into contact with the ball staying in the ball holding portion.

In this configuration, the ball can stay in one of the ball holding portion which is formed beside the through-hole. The ball holding portion in which the ball may stay is formed beside the through-hole along which a player figure is to be moved rather than shares the same axis as the latter. As a result, the user can bring a portion of a player figure into contact with the ball at any of various angles and thereby move the ball to any of various directions by rotating the manipulation lever while adjusting the distance between its portion to come into contact with the ball recognizing the distance visually.

As such, the above configuration makes it possible to provide a game board capable of increasing the degree of freedom of the direction in which a ball can be moved.

In a game board of a second aspect, the ball holding portion extends long and the ball holding portion has a recess that is wider than the ball holding portion.

With this structure, the ball may in a recess rather than a ball holding portion. When the ball stays in a recess, it is stopped stably and hence the user can easily move the ball in any of various directions.

In a game board of a third aspect, the recess has a guide that projects from a portion of the outer circumference of the recess in a prescribed direction thereby guides a direction of the ball when the ball goes out of the recess.

With this structure, when the ball is moved by a player figure from a recess, the guide can guide the ball toward the goal or in a centering direction. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

In a game board of a fourth aspect, the ball holding portion extends long and branches off to extend through the field plate.

With this structure, the direction in which a player figure moves the ball located in a ball holding portion can be guided so as to be directed to, for example, a corner or the goal. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

In a game board of a fifth aspect, the ball holding portion has a plurality of long grooves formed in the field plate, and the field plate has a crossing groove which connects a first groove and a second groove of the grooves and crosses the through-hole.

With this structure, a player figure can move the ball from the first groove to the second groove via the crossing groove. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

In a game board of a sixth aspect, a lateral width of the groove is greater than that of the through-hole.

With this structure, the ball tends to stay more often in a long groove which is formed beside the associated through-hole along which a player figure is to move than in the through-hole. Thus, the user can move the ball easily in any of various directions using a long groove. This increases the variety of game tactics and room to reflect the tastes of a user.

The invention is not limited the above embodiment, and various modifications, improvements, etc. can be made as appropriate. And the material, shape, dimensions, related numerical values, form of implementation, number (where plural ones are provided), location, etc. of each constituent element of the embodiment are optional and no limitations are imposed on them as long as the invention can be implemented.

Although the embodiment is directed to the game board that enables a simulated soccer game, the invention can also be applied to game boards that enable games of other sports such as hockey.

Although the embodiment employs, as the playerfigures 160, stereoscopic figures that simulate soccer players, the invention may employ models that simulate characters appearing in a comic book or animals or even two-dimensional figures.

Although the embodiment employs the long grooves140as example ball holding portions, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, each ball holding portion may consist of short grooves, circular recesses, or through-holes arranged in succession on a single line.

Although in the embodiment the field plate120is formed with the two corner holes157, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, holes for ball launching mechanisms may be formed at various positions on the field plate120.

Although in the embodiment a simulated action of an overhead bicycle shot is realized by rotating a player figure body310vertically utilizing a repulsive force acting between the magnets600and601, the invention is not limited to this case. For example, a small projection may be provided on the field plate120at such a position as to come into contact with the right foot316of the player figure body310. The user can cause the player figure body310to rotate vertically by bringing its right foot316into contact with the small projection by advancing the playerfigure 300whose back faces the opponent's goal.

Although in the embodiment the left end portion451and the right end portion452of the rotary shaft portion450are supported rotatably by the left bearing portion440and the right bearing portion441, respectively, the invention is not limited to this case. An alternative structure is possible in which two side surfaces of a back portion of a goal net portion are provided with rotary shaft portions and supported by bearing portions provided on the two side portions of the goal net portion so that the back portion vertically open. Another alternative structure is possible in which a rotary shaft portion bridges the left bearing portion440and the right beating portion441and the back portion424is provided with bearing portions that are supported by the rotary shaft portion.

FIGS. 19A and 19Bshow a modification of each launching mechanism201.FIG. 19Ais a side view of a launching mechanism201A according to the modification andFIG. 19Bis an enlarged view of part of the launching mechanism201A according to the modification.

The launching mechanism201A is different from the launching mechanisms201in that the former has a circular flat dial700and that a left end portion704of a bottom edge703of a launching member210A is approximately right-angled. The flat dial700has a certain thickness and its side circumferential surface is a continuous surface that is formed with projections and recesses alternately. A tubular portion702is formed on the top surface of the flat dial700at the center. The top surface of the tubular portion702is a slant surface705which is inclined so as to increase in height as the position goes along an arc clockwise (when seen from above).

The left end portion704is in line contact with the slant surface705. When the user rotates the flat dial700counterclockwise (indicated by symbol R2inFIG. 19B; when seen from above), the tubular portion702is also rotated counterclockwise. As a result, the height of the position of the slant surface705where the left end portion704is in contact with the slant surface705increases gradually and the left end portion704is elevated accordingly. Thus, whereas the portion of the launching member210A that is located on the left of the rotary shafts213is elevated, the portion (including the projection221) of the launching member210A that is located on the right of the rotary shafts213is lowered, whereby the projection height of the projection221through the through-hole159is decreased.

With the above structures, for example, by lowering the portion of the launching member210A that is located on the right of the rotary shafts213by manipulating the flat dial700, the user can cause the elastic member203to assume a more contracted standby posture before launching by the launching mechanism201A and decrease the projection height of the projection221through the through-hole159. Capable of adjusting the contraction length of the elastic member203before launching by the launching mechanism201A and the projection height of the projection221through the through-holes159, the user can adjust the flying distance of a ball500launched by the launching mechanism201A.