GAME AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING THE GAME

Abstract: A game is played on a table (2) having a polygonal playing surface (8) from which an elongated rolling area extends, and spaced-apart pockets (12) are located in the perimeter of the playing surface (8), the pockets (12) extending beneath the playing surface (8) communicating with channels for returning balls to one end of the table (2). Balls (22, 24) are projected by hand on to the table (2) in a game in which the winning ball, which may be marked with a numerical value, is the ball which remains closest to a zero ball (24) situated at a predetermined point (18) on the table at the start of the game. The equipment may be coin-operated.

Description: This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game by rolling or sliding movable playing means such as balls or discs over a playing surface, comprising a table having a single, flat, horizontal playing surface which is bounded by an upstanding continuous rail extending around the perimeter of the playing surface with a plurality of spaced-apart pockets being provided in the playing portion at locations immediately adjacent the upstanding rail and extending below the playing surface. One game to which the invention is applicable is related to the game of bocci, which is an Italian variation on lawn bowling, and to table games such as pool, billiards or snooker in which balls are directed with a cue. In the game of bocci, balls are projected towards a paleen or dope ball. The game is scored by determining which balls are closer to the paleen or dope ball and by awarding points to the player having balls closer to the paleen or dope ball. On the Bauchua table, the balls are projected towards a zero ball. Other related games are described in US-A-1693116, US-A-3797627, US-A-3958804 and US-A-4526368. In addition, a game in which players project pieces such as marbles on to a board is described in US-A-1757870, while US-A-3360265 describes a simulated golf course having game tables of different shapes (instead of golf course greens) on which a game based on golf using one ball struck by a billiard-type cue is played. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for playing a game. Another aim is to provide a new and interesting game for a plurality of players. The invention is set out in Claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are features in the dependent Claims 2 to 11. According to the invention, the apparatus for playing a game is characterised by a table having a horizontal polygonal playing surface comprising an unobstructed polygonal playing portion having more than four sides and an elongated rolling or sliding portion which is narrower than the playing portion and which extends outwardly from the playing portion with one side contiguous with one side of the playing portion, there being an upstanding rail extending around the perimeter of the playing surface and a plurality of spaced-apart pockets in the playing portion immediately adjacent the upstanding rail and extending below the playing surface. The invention is differentiated from US-A-1693116 mentioned above in that the playing surface of the present invention comprises two distinct portions, each of a specific outline shape, which are entirely different from the wide rolling portion and the V-shaped playing portion of the citation. This inevitably means that the games played on the two tables will likewise be different. It is true that another citation, namely, US-A-2005660, discloses a table provided with pockets, but the pockets are provided in a table part which is completely detachable from the remainder of the table. This means that the table does not have a single playing surface as in the present invention. There are also other differences between the two tables in that the table in US-A-2005660 is inclined in use and has a pocketed part which is narrower than the rolling part. Furthermore, an obstruction is provided in the centre of the playing portion in the citation. Finally, GB-A-209309 discloses a table having a playing portion which is wider than the rolling portion, as in the present invention. But the playing portion in the citation is not polygonal with more than four sides, nor is the playing portion unobstructed. This is because nose-like protrusions are provided between the pockets. It is also to be noted that the table in the citation is at an angle to a horizontal plane. An example of apparatus in accordance with the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing wherein the single Figure is a perspective view of a table and balls set up and ready for play. In one game of the invention, balls (or other playing objects) are projected by hand on to a table towards a zero ball which has been placed in a predetermined location. The table of the invention has a horizontal playing surface, an upstanding rail around the playing surface, and pockets at the rail edge extending beneath the playing surface. The playing surface has a novel polygonal playing portion, and balls are projected from an elongated rolling portion which extends outwardly from one side of the polygonal playing portion. The rolling portion is preferably rectangular and the polygon is preferably irregular. Players project balls by hand from a rolling area located at the end of the elongated rectangular rolling portion remote from the playing portion, the balls being projected towards the polygonal playing portion which extends from the opposite end of the rectangular rolling portion. Pockets are spaced apart along the perimeter of the playing portion, and channels below the table extend from each pocket to the rolling area for returning balls received in the pockets of the rolling end of the table. The game may be coin-operated as described in US-A-3797627. Access doors for the coin mechanism and ball return mechanism are provided in the table, preferably at the rolling end. Referring to the Figure, a table 2 has legs 4 which support a table body 6. A playing surface 8 lies on top of body 6, and side rails 10 extend around the playing surface. Pockets 12 are spaced from each other at intervals around the edge of the playing surface and connect to channels (not shown) for returning balls to a rolling end 14 of the table 2. Ball racks 16 are provided on respective sides of the table 2 adjacent the rolling end 14 for holding balls 22. A ball-return area and coin slot are recessed into the table at the rolling end 14 as shown, for example, in US-A-3797627. Other structures for ball return and coin operation may be used. The playing surface is preferably a felt-covered horizontal surface, and the playing portion is marked with indicia, preferably a black dot 18, in about the centre of the polygonal playing portion. A zero ball 24 is placed at the beginning of the game, on the black dot 18. Another indicia, such as a block dot 20, is on the rolling portion near the rolling end to mark the point behind which the balls 22 must be projected when in play. The Figure illustrates a preferred unobstructed octagonal playing area abutting a rectangular rolling area, the rolling area being narrower than the playing area. In this preferred example, six pockets 12 are spaced apart around the perimeter of the playing surface. One pocket is at each of four corners of the playing surface opposite from the rolling end, and one is in the centre of each of the central, shorter sides 24 of the octagon. These central shorter sides are substantially parallel to, but spaced further apart than, the parallel sides of the rolling area. The dimensions of the table are chosen according to known criteria. Preferred dimensions of the table are, for example: height (to the top of the side rails), 2 ft. 8 in. (81.3 cm); length 9 ft. 9 in. (297.2 cm); length of the rolling portion, 4 ft (122 cm); interior width of the rolling portion, 2 ft. (61 cm); and maximum interior width of the playing surface, 4 ft 5 in. (134.6 cm). In this example, the length of the short opposite sides 24 of the octagonal playing area, having a pocket in the centre of each, is 1 ft. (30.5 cm). Other appropriate shapes and sizes will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The game is preferably played with balls, which may be of wood or plastic, between 2 in. (5.08 cm) and 2 1/2 in. (6.35 cm) in diameter. The zero ball 24 may be the same size as the balls 22 in the playing sets of balls or may have a different diameter. Each player uses a set of balls of a colour and/or marking which differs from those of the set of balls of each other player and from the zero ball. Each set of playing balls may comprise four balls, or any other appropriate number of balls. A set of four balls preferably has marked numerical values of 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each playing set of balls is equal in number and respective values to each other such set of balls. The game is preferably played by two players, but may be played by three or four players. The zero ball is placed on black dot 18 and the first players projects one of his set of balls on to the table, by hand, either by throwing or by rolling (from the rolling end 14 of the table 2, behind the black dot 20) towards the zero ball, the object being for the projected ball to stop as close as possible to the zero ball. The second or next player projects the first of his set of balls similarly towards the zero ball with the same objective. The players take turns in projecting balls until all the balls have been played, and the score is computed or the winner decided by ascertaining which ball is closest to the zero ball. A player may roll his ball and knock the zero ball anywhere in the octaganol area any time during the game. If a ball rolls into a pocket, that ball is out of play for the rest of the game. A player may attempt to knock an opponent's ball either away from the zero ball, into a pocket, or into the rolling portion, which is also out of play. A ball landing in the rolling portion is removed from the table. To determine the winner, the ball closest to the zero ball for one player is compared to the ball closest to the zero ball for a second player. The winner is the player whose ball has the higher numerical value. If there is a tie, the numerical value of the next closest ball is added to that player's score. If a tie remains, each player rolls the farthest ball again, and the numerical value of the closest re-rolled ball is added to that player's score. In an alternative game, the player with a ball closest to the zero ball wins irrespective of the numerical value. If two players have balls at equal distances from the zero ball, the next-closest ball is determinative. A player knocking the zero ball into a pocket or into the rolling area immediately loses the game. The playing pieces are preferably balls, but the game may also be played using sliding discs, or other playing pieces. The game table may be coin operated by conventional means, by which access to the balls is governed by coin operation. Coins must be inserted to access pocketed balls at the start of each game. It will be appreciated that the shape of the described table uniquely co-operates with the balls in the playing of the game. By providing an octagonal shape, the manner is which a ball can be knocked out of play by an incoming ball is optimised to increase interest in the game. The use of shorter sides parallel to the rolling portion also increases the skill required to win the game and the enjoyment thereof.

Claims: 1. Apparatus for playing a game by rolling or sliding movable playing means such as balls or discs (22, 24) over a playing surface, comprising a table (2) having a single, flat, horizontal playing surface (8) which is bounded by an upstanding continuous rail (10) extending around the perimeter of the playing surface with a plurality of spaced-apart pockets (12) being provided in the playing portion at locations immediately adjacent the upstanding rail and extending below the playing surface (8), characterised in that the playing surface (8) comprises two distinct portions of different outline shape, namely, an unobstructed polygonal playing portion, where all the pockets (12) are located, having more than four sides, and an elongate pocket-free rolling or sliding portion which is narrower than the playing portion and which extends smoothly, without a break, from the playing portion so that the balls or other movable playing means (22, 24) can be rolled or slid along the rolling or sliding portion of the playing surface (8) and thus enter the playing portion of the playing surface. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the polygonal playing portion has seven sides and the rolling or sliding portion has three sides. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the pockets (12) abut the rail and communicate with channels for returning movable playing means (22, 24) which enter the pockets to one end of the table. 4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that six pockets (12) are provided. 5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the polygonal portion of the playing surface (8) has two facing parallel side edges which are also parallel to two parallel side edges of the rolling or sliding portion. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the playing portion has two facing parallel side edges of equal in length which are shorter than other side edges of the playing portion. 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that one of the pockets (12) is located in approximately the centre of each of the facing parallel side edges. 8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that racks (16) for balls, discs or other movable playing means (22, 24) are provided on respective sides of the table (2) adjacent the rolling end (14) of the table. 9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it includes balls, discs or other movable playing means (22, 24) which comprise a zero piece (24) and a plurality of sets of pieces (22) with each set having the same number of pieces, preferably four pieces. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that each member of a set is marked with a number or other indicia of scoring value. 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterised in that each set is of a different colour from each other set and from the zero piece.

Inventors: CORTESI, ROY L.
Applicants: CORTESI, ROY L.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A63D15
IPC codes: A63F7, A63D15