Abstract:
An apparatus for playing a game comprising a playing surface having a first area and a second area, a projectile, and at least two propulsion devices. First and second sets of playing pieces are provided, each playing piece having a lower peg portion, and a substrate overlaying and spaced above the playing surface and extending across both the first and second areas of the playing surface. In a game, the playing pieces are located on the substrate above the first area of the playing surface, with their peg portions extending below the substrate, and each propulsion device is capable of propelling the projectile such that the projectile can impact with a peg portion of a playing piece and thereby dislodge the playing piece.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/943,689 filed Nov. 10, 2010 which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/159,537 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 27 Jun. 2008, which is the United States National Phase of PCT Application No. GB2007/00232 filed 24 Jan. 2007, which claims priority to British Patent Application No. 0601390.8 filed 24 Jan. 2006. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game. In particular, it relates to a two player game in which the players play against each other. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A known game apparatus is disclosed in EP 0827763. This describes a game board in which a ball is used to knock over pins in a ten pin bowling game. This game apparatus has the disadvantage that only one player can use the game apparatus at any one time. Whilst more than one player can play indirectly against each other by recording scores, two players cannot play simultaneously. This may reduce the interest of the game. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a game apparatus. Thus, two players can play simultaneously, increasing the excitement and interest of the game. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the game apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cut away side elevation of a first embodiment of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut away side elevation view of a first embodiment of the application; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of part of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of part of a first embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a part of a first embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of part of the apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows game apparatus  1 , which is intended for use by a first player and a second player playing a game against each other. The apparatus  1  comprises a rectangular playing surface  2  mounted in a housing  4 . The housing  4  provides side walls  6  extending along the long edges of playing surface  2 . Two flippers  8  are located at each of the short edges of the playing surface  2 . Each flipper  8  is controlled by a button  10 . 
     A first set of playing pieces  12  are arranged over a first area  14  of the playing surface  2 . A second set of pieces  16  are arranged over a second area  17  of the playing surface  2 . The playing pieces  12 ,  16  are supported by a transparent substrate  18  spaced above the underlying playing surface  2 . 
     A projectile, in the form of a spherical ball  24  in play is fired across the playing surface  2  by the flippers  8 . A deflector  34  is located between each pair of flippers  8 . The deflector  34  is triangular in shape, in order to deflect the ball  24  onto a flipper  8 . 
     Each flipper  8  is an arm rotatable about one end substantially in the plane of the playing surface. Actuation of each button  10  causes an associated flipper  8  to rotate. Each flipper  8  will be spring-biased by spring means (not shown) to a rest position, from which it can be rotated by depression of a button  10 . 
     The spring means is arranged such that a small depression and release of the button  10  will result in a small retraction and rotation forwardly, and thus a small force on the ball  24 . 
     The spring means is associated with a release means (not shown). The spring means and release means are arranged such that after a large depression of the button  10 , the release means will cause the spring means to automatically release and activate the flipper  8 . This provides for a large force on the ball  24 . The player thus has only to apply a relatively strong force inwardly on the button  10 , and at a predetermined point the flipper  8  will automatically be released to rotate and apply a force on the ball  24 . The sudden release of the flipper  8  increases the initial speed of rotation of the flipper  8 , allowing a greater force to be applied to the ball  24  than obtainable by merely removing pressure from the button  10  to release the flipper  8 . 
     Each flipper  8  has a forward surface which contacts the ball  24 . The forward surface has a concave profile, defining a very shallow U-shape. This arcuate shape allows the player to control the direction in which the ball  24  travels from the flipper  8 , by varying the position of the ball  24  on the flipper  8  when the flipper  8  is rotated. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the substrate is a rigid laminar sheet  18 . The substrate  18  is supported by the housing  4  in a horizontal plane. A plurality of circular holes  36  are formed in the substrate  18 , for holding the playing pieces  12 ,  16  in position. The playing pieces  12 ,  16  each have an upper portion  20 , which in use is located above the substrate  18 , and a lower peg portion  22  which extends below the substrate  18 . The substrate  18  supports the playing pieces  12 ,  16  over the playing surface  2  such that the bottoms of the lower peg portions  22  are spaced from the playing surface  2  by a distance greater than the height of the ball  24 . 
     The playing surface  2  is shaped to affect movement of the ball  24 . The first area  14  of playing surface  2  is formed by a first ramp  26  and the second area  16  by a second ramp  28 . Ramps  26 ,  28  are inclined with respect to the horizontal, and meet at an apex  30 , which is the highest point of the playing surface  2 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the housing  4  is preferably formed in two pieces, and connected together by connectors  32 . The substrate  18  is also formed in two pieces. This allows the apparatus  1  to be stored in a compact form. 
       FIG. 5  shows part of the substrate  18  in the second area  17 . Holes  36  are arranged in four rows, each row being parallel to a short side of the playing surface  2 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a playing piece  12 . The upper portion  20  is in the form of a planar, rectangular sheet with a depiction of a character. The lower portion  22  is a peg, as previously described. A circular flange  38  extends radially outwardly between the upper portion  20  and lower portion  22 . The flange  38  has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the holes  36 , so that the flange  38  supports the playing piece  12  on an upper surface of the substrate  18  while the peg  22  extends through a hole  36  to below the substrate  18 . 
     In use, the game apparatus is initially set up by placing the playing pieces  12  of the first set in the holes  36  located above the first area  14 . The second set of playing pieces  16  are inserted into the holes  36  located above the second area  17 . The first player locates the ball  24  on the playing surface  2  adjacent a flipper  8  at the first end  14 . The first player then operates the flipper  8  by pushing the button  10 . The flipper  8  rotates and propels the ball  24 , at high speed along the playing surface  2  and up ramp  26 . When the ball  24  passes the apex  30 , the speed of the ball  24  means that it continues upwardly and so leaves the playing surface  2 . If the first player is successful, the ball  24  strikes a peg  22  of a playing piece  16 . The impact of the ball  24  urges the playing piece  16  upwardly out of the hole  36 , causing it to lie horizontally on top of the substrate  18 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , an impact area  42  is shown for the playing pieces  16  of the second player when the first player is in control of the ball  24 . The pegs  22  of the playing pieces  16  of the second player in this area  42  may be hit by the ball  24  after it flies off the ramp  26 . A safe area  40  for the playing pieces  12  of the first player is shown. The lower portions  22  of the playing pieces  12  in this area  42  will not be hit by the ball  24 , since the ball  24  will safely pass underneath them. The ramps  26 ,  28  therefore provide a means for the ball to strike the playing pieces of the opponent player, and not strike the playing pieces of the player who is controlling the ball. The danger area  40  and safe area  42  clearly reverse sides when the second player has a turn. 
     If the first player is unsuccessful, the ball  24  will return to the playing surface  2  without knocking a playing piece  16  from its hole. 
     Whether successful or unsuccessful, the ball  24  will then roll to adjacent a flipper  8  at the second side  17 , controlled by the second player. The second player can then actuate the flipper  8  by pushing the associated button  10 , and attempt to knock out a playing piece  12  of the first player in the same manner as described above. 
     The winner of the game is the first player to knock all of his or her opponent&#39;s playing pieces out of their holes. 
     A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . The apparatus  101  is intended for use by a first player and a second player playing a game against each other. The apparatus  101  can be used to play a “Battleships” type game, in which the players attempt to find their opponent&#39;s ships by guessing squares. The apparatus  101  allows conventional game play, and additionally provides apparatus to “destroy” an opponent&#39;s ships. 
     The apparatus  101  comprises a rectangular playing surface  102  mounted in a housing  104 . The housing  104  provides side walls  106  extending along the long edges of playing surface  102 . 
     A first set of playing pieces  112  are arranged over a first area of the playing surface  102 . Alternatively, a second set of pieces (not shown) are arranged over a second area of the playing surface  102 . The playing pieces  112  are supported by a substantially opaque substrate  118  spaced above the underlying playing surface  102 . 
     The substrate is a rigid laminar sheet  118 . The substrate  118  is supported by the housing  104  in a horizontal plane. A plurality of circular holes  136  are formed in the substrate  118 , for holding the playing pieces  112 ,  116  in position. Holes  136  are arranged in a grid. 
     A projectile, in the form of a spherical ball (not shown) in play is fired across the playing surface  102  by a ball firing means (not shown). 
     The playing surface  102  is shaped to affect movement of the ball. The first area of playing surface  102  is formed by a ramp (not shown) and the second area  116  by a second ramp (not shown). Ramps are inclined with respect to the horizontal, to define a trough, the meeting line between the ramps being the lowest point of the playing surface  102 . 
     The apparatus  101  comprises two viewing devices  140 , one located at each of the short edges of the playing surface  102 . The viewing device  140  resembles an upside-down periscope. The viewing device  140  has a viewing aperture or screen  142  above the level of the substrate  118 , configured to allow a player to look into the viewing device. The viewing device  140  has a target aperture or screen (not shown) located between the level of the substrate  118  and the playing surface. The viewing device  140  comprises mirrors and/or prisms (not shown) providing an optical path between the viewing aperture and the target aperture. 
     The viewing device  140  is rotatable about a vertical axis, such that a player can rotate the viewing device by gripping handles  150 . The viewing device  140  is arranged such that a player looking into the higher part of the device  140 , at the viewing aperture, is able to see beneath the substrate  118 . 
     A ball firing means is attached to each of the viewing devices  140 . Each ball firing means is adapted to receive a ball, and eject the ball in a direction chosen by a player. The operation of each ball firing means is controlled by a button. The ball firing means is rotatable about a vertical axis as the viewing device  140  is rotated. 
     The viewing device  140  is provided with sights (not shown). The sights provide a visual indication of the direction of travel of a ball fired by the ball firing means. 
     The apparatus  1  comprises two pairs of marker boards  160 ,  162 . The boards  160 ,  162  are provided with a grid having plurality of blind bores  164 . Each board  160 ,  162  has rows labeled 1 to 10, and columns labeled A to J. 
     A marker  166  can be placed in a bore  164  in order to assist with game play. Markers are provided in two colors, one color, for example red, to mark a “hit” and one color, for example white, to mark a “miss”. 
       FIG. 8  shows a playing piece  112 . Each piece  112  has an upper portion  120  which in use is located above the substrate  118 , and a lower peg portion  122  which extends below the substrate  118 . The upper portion  120  is in the form of a ship. The substrate  118  supports the playing pieces  112 ,  116  over the playing surface  102  such that the bottoms of the lower peg portions  122  are spaced from the playing surface  2  by a distance less than the height of the ball  124 . The lower portion  22  is a circular peg, as previously described, with a diameter less than the diameter of the holes  137 . 
     The housing  104  may form part of the packaging of the apparatus  101 , such that a reduced amount of additional packaging is required. 
     In use, the game apparatus is set up with none of the playing pieces  112 ,  116  on the substrate  118 . The first and second players play the known game of battleships on boards  160 ,  162 . 
     The first player attempts to guess the location of a ship of the second player. The first player does this by stating their guess that a ship is at a particular position, identified by the column and row identifiers. If the first player guesses successfully, the second player must declare that there has been a “hit”. Since the ships preferably cover two or more bores  164 , the ship as a whole is not immediately ‘found’. If the first player&#39;s guess does not coincide with a ship, the second player declares there has been a ‘miss’. The second player then guesses the location of a ship of the first player, and play repeats. 
     Once a player has successfully achieve a ‘hit’ on all of the hole positions which a single ship occupies, that ship is considered to be ‘found’. The player who found the ship scores  20  points, and the opportunity to ‘destroy’ the ship. An equivalent ship is placed on the substrate, with its pegs extending through a hole  136 . The ship is ‘destroyed’ by means of the viewing device  140  and ball firing means. The player looks through the viewing device  140  to view the playing surface  102 . The player rotates the viewing device  140  to line up the peg  122  of the ship with the sights. Once the peg is lined up with the sights, the player fires a ball from the ball firing means towards the peg. If the ball successfully strikes the peg, the peg will be forced upwardly and cause the playing pieces to be urged out of the hole. The playing piece  112  will then lie entirely above the substrate  118 , and the ship considered to be ‘destroyed’. The player will receive  20  points for destroying the ship. 
     If the player was not successful with their first shot, the player may take another shot. The player may be allowed up to five shots to destroy the ship. If none of the shots are successful, then the player is awarded no points and the play continues. 
     Once all of the ships have been wholly located, all of a set of pieces  112 ,  116  may be placed on the substrate  118  and the player provided with five balls to dislodge as many pieces as possible from the substrate  118 . The winner of the game is the player with the most number of points once all the ships have been identified. 
     The substrate  118  has been described as opaque. Alternately, the substrate  118  may be transparent, or may be semi-opaque. In particular, the substrate  118  may be ‘frosted’ to allow a player to have a distorted or incomplete view of the surface below the substrate.