Abstract:
A game apparatus includes a housing supporting a three by three grid of tic-tac-toe game play squares. The housing further supports a pivotable multi-function launch control which provides three game function inputs to the game microprocessor. The display further includes a trio of paths for each of the three columns in the tic-tac-toe square array. The game simulates launch of a game object down one of the paths selected by pivotal movement of the launch control to attempt marking a particular square in the tic-tac-toe array. The launch control includes a depressible launch button which performs a second function of setting game object launch power and a third function of triggering game object simulated launch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to electronic games and particularly to those electronic games which are configured to play the game of tic-tac-toe. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tic-tac-toe is a well known game which is played by a broad range of players. The game is easy to learn and deceptively simple to play. Notwithstanding this ease of learning and simplicity of play, however, the game of tic-tac-toe can be extremely challenging to master. In its most pervasive form, the game of tic-tac-toe is played within a simple grid formed by perpendicular intersecting pairs of parallel lines to define a center square and eight adjacent outer “squares”. Because of the simplicity of play and ease of drawing the play grid, tic-tac-toe is for the most part played with simple pencil and paper supplies. The game is typically played between two players, one of which utilizes a symbol such as an “X” while the other utilizes a different symbol such as an “O”. The players alternate turns placing their respective symbols in selected ones of the nine squares within the grid. The objective of game play is the successful placement of symbols by one player to form a three row symbol pattern. The three row symbol patterns may include any three adjacent squares as well as either of the two diagonals of the grid. As each player places their respective symbols within the grid squares, a secondary objective must also be considered in symbol placement which involves “blocking” the opposing player from successfully achieving a winning three square combination. 
     In addition to its wide appeal as a game readily played with simple pencil and paper apparatus, the game of tic-tac-toe is also very well suited in its “move and countermove” play pattern for play against a computer by a single player. Upon this recognition, practitioners in the art began providing computerized or microprocessor based game play devices which included stored software having the necessary probability tables and move and countermove rules stored in memory. The typical game play unit further includes a display having the tic-tac-toe grid thereon together with an input device utilized by a player in game play. The software necessary for game play by the processor is readily manageable by even the smallest of software memories in that the processor simply responds to each player&#39;s move by computing the most effective countermove within the stored alternatives of game play. 
     In most computerized or microprocessor based tic-tac-toe games, an alternate two player mode in which players compete against each other is also usually provided. 
     As the popularity of computerized or microprocessor based tic-tac-toes increased, practitioners in the art have provided a virtually endless variety of game apparatus. Notsurprisingly, the complexity of this simple basic game has been enhanced with various features such as light, sound or other attractive enhancements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,676 issued to Barish sets forth an ELECTRONIC TIC-TACK-TOE GAME having a pocket calculator type apparatus which includes a keyboard having a three-by-three matrix of keys each of which may be depressed once to input an “O” and twice to input an “X”. The device further includes a matrix display for displaying the inputted “X&#39;s” and “O&#39;s” together with a mode selector for operating the device in various display modes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,442 issued to Underwood, et al. sets forth an ELECTRONIC TIC-TAC-TOE GAME having a display board supporting a tic-tac-toe array thereon. The game controls the display of selected “X&#39;s” and “O&#39;s” on the display board. A game mode select switch enables the game to be played in a solitary mode of operation against a microprocessor programmed to play tic-tac-toe or in a dual mode of operation between two players. 
     U.S. Pat. No 4,813,681 issued to Volpert, Jr. sets forth a METHOD OF PLAYING AN ALIGNMENT GAME having a plurality of playing markers adapted to be arranged in rows and columns. The playing markers include four playing markers having a first indicia thereon, four playing markers having a second indicia thereon and a single playing marker having both a first and second indicia thereon. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,714 issued to Kaplan sets forth an INTERACTIVE TIC-TAC-TOE SLOT MACHINE having three parallel spaced reels each reel being covered around their circumference with spaced symbols of two different configurations such as “X&#39;s” and “O&#39;s” as well as blanks. The “X&#39;s” and “O&#39;s” and blanks are intermixed on each strip in an orderly fashion. Three of the same symbols aligned in a row designates a winner. The slot machine includes a window that displays three rows of symbols in different horizontal planes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,773 issued to Marks sets forth a COMBINATION TIC-TAC-TOE GAME AND NUMBERED CARD COMPETITION which includes a game board divided into a plurality of zones arranged in a plurality of rows and columns as well as a plurality of diagonals. The game device also includes first and second sets of playing pieces respectively utilized by first and second players. At least three of the first and second sets of playing pieces are placed into at least three of the zones of the game board until at least three of the first or second playing pieces have been placed in a plurality of rows or diagonals. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,796 issued to Orak, et al. sets forth an ELECTRONIC GAME having a housing defining a plurality of spaces thereon. Each of the spaces has an input device and an indicator corresponding to the space. Each indicator defines an off state and a plurality of distinct player states. Within the housing, a controller communicates with each of the input devices and indicators and limits the number of indicators to a predetermined number. 
     In other related electronic games and game apparatus, different types of game apparatus have been provided. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,892 issued to Kitchen, et al. sets forth an ELECTRONIC POOL GAME having a matrix display supported upon a housing generally representative of a surface of a pool table. A control and driving circuit is provided for applying signals to the matrix display for the display of indicia representative of pool balls including a cue ball. The driving and control circuit is adapted for the selective application of further driving signals to the matrix display to represent a selected direction of travel, placement and orientation, and velocity for the travel of the cue ball. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,513 issued to Lam sets forth an ELECTRONIC MATCHING AND POSITIONING GAME having a housing with a plurality of spaces defined on the exterior thereof. Each of the spaces has an input device and an indicator associated therewith. The indicator defines an off state and an on state. Inside the housing a controller communicates with each of the input devices and indicators and controls game play operation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,172 issued to Rosenwinkel, et al. sets forth a FRONT AND BACK GRIDS COMPRESSING PUZZLE WITH MOVABLE SQUARES in which alphabet letters or other graphics are displayed in movable squares forming a grid on the front side of the puzzle. A second grid of movable squares containing alphabet letters or other graphics is supported on the back side of the puzzle. Each square is a part of each of two mutually transverse continuous bands. 
     While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extent advanced the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved, interesting and entertaining electronic tic-tac-toe games and apparatus therefor. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic game. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic game which is uniquely suitable for amusing operation in playing the game of tic-tac-toe. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electronic tic-tac-toe game play apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior cavity; a display, supported on the housing, defining a three row—three column matrix of squares and a trio of paths each joined to one of the columns; a microprocessor and memory for playing a tic-tac-toe game; a launch control supported on the housing and having a pivotable path selection ring, a launch button, a plate having a wiper contact and a switch board secured to the housing and supporting a plurality of conductive paths and a launch switch, the path selection ring, the launch button and the plate being pivotably movable upon the housing as a single assembly to select one of the paths and the launch button being depressible to close the switch and releasable to open the switch. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a top view of an electronic tic-tac-toe game constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a section view of the present invention electronic tic-tac-toe game taken along section lines  2 — 2  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a partial section view of the switch mechanism of the present invention electronic tic-tac-toe game taken along section lines  3 — 3  in FIG. 2; and 
     FIG. 4 sets forth a partial section view of the switch mechanism of the present invention electronic tic-tac-toe game taken along section lines  4 — 4  in FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a top view of a game apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral  10 . Game apparatus  10  includes a housing  11  which, as is better seen in FIG. 2, defines an interior cavity  15 . Housing  11  further defines an aperture  12  within which a display unit  13  is supported. Display unit  13  is configured for play of tic-tac-toe and thus defines a grid  14  formed by a three by three matrix of squares  20  through  28 . In addition, grid  14  further includes a trio of paths  30 ,  31  and  32  each extending upwardly to the bottom side of the right, center and left columns of grid  14 . In depiction of a typical game play scenario, various “X” and “O” icons are showed placed upon grid  14 . Thus, by way of example, square  26  supports an “X” icon  40  while squares  24  and  25  also support similar “X” icons  41  and  42 . In contrast, square  27  supports an “O” icon  43 . A bean bag icon  33  is shown within path  32 . The use of bean bag icon  33  will be set forth below in greater detail. Suffice it to note here that the game play utilized by game apparatus  10  involves a simulated launch of a bean bag game object which is simulated upon display  13  by icons such as bean bag icon  33 . Finally, display  13  further includes an alphanumeric segment group  34  which is used to communicate various game play information to the player or players such as time interval, score or game level selected. 
     In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, game apparatus  10  includes a three function launch control  50  supported upon the lower end of housing  11  and having a path selector ring  51  supporting a depressible launch button  52 . Also supported on housing  11  adjacent launch control  50  is a plurality of game play and setup buttons  60  through  65  which are utilized to make certain initialization and play mode selections particularly at the initiation or completion of a game. In the manner set forth below in greater detail, path selector ring  51  is movable along with launch button  52  in either direction as indicated by arrows  53  and  54 . The point of having path selector  51  and launch button  52  pivotable in this manner is found in the selection of a single one of paths  30 ,  31  or  32  for launch of the simulated bean bag game object. Thus, for example, positioning of path selector ring  51  and launch button  52  in the centered position shown in FIG. 1 provides a selection of path  31  allowing the player to execute a game object launch upwardly through the column occupied by squares  27 ,  24  and  21 . Alternatively, pivotal movement of path selector ring  51  and launch button  52  in the direction indicated by arrow  53  provides selection of path  30  for the launched game object allowing access to squares  26 ,  23  or  20 . Finally, pivoting selector ring  51  and launch button  52  in the direction indicated by arrow  54  provides selection of path  32  which in turn provides access to squares  28 ,  25  and  22 . 
     In operation, the basic game of tic-tac-toe is played upon grid  14  of display  13  in general accordance with the normal rules of game play. However, an additional skill requirement has been added to the basic tic-tac-toe game play of game apparatus  10  by the addition of launch control  50 . Launch control  50  is a three function control which is utilized in adding a skill level to the placement of a player&#39;s icon upon an unoccupied square within grid  14 . The three functions selected and controlled by launch control  50  include the selection of one of paths  30 ,  31  and  32  with the resulting selection of the right, center or left column of grid squares. The second function of launch control  50  is activated by pressing launch button  52  once selector ring  51  and launch button  52  have been pivoted to the desired selected path. The pressing of launch button  52  operates a switch (switch  81  seen in FIG. 2) which, as is described below in greater detail, initiates the preparation for the simulated launch of the bean bag game object. As launch button  52  is pressed, the launch power to be simulated in the launch of the bean bag game object along the selected path and column of squares is increased so long as launch button  52  remains pressed. The user attempts to exercise skill in selecting the desired launch power in order to control the “landing” point of the launched bean bag game object to the desired square. Once the desired launch power has been set, the third function of launch control  50  is implemented by releasing launch button  52  which, as is set forth below in greater detail, opens switch  81  (seen in FIG.  2 ). With launch button  52  released, further increase in launch power is terminated and the simulated launch of the game object is initiated. Thus, the players utilizing the present invention game apparatus are required to devise a correct game play strategy in accordance with conventional tic-tac-toe game play which is further complicated or challenged by the skill level required in actually successfully placing an icon upon the target square which the player decides to mark. It has been found that the use of a three function integrated control mechanism for launch control  50  renders the play pattern of the present invention game apparatus both enjoyable and amusing as well as challenging. 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a section view of game apparatus  10  taken along section lines  2 — 2  in FIG.  1 . As described above, game apparatus  10  includes a housing  11  defining an interior cavity  15 . Housing  11  further defines an aperture  12  behind which a display unit  13  is supported to be visible therethrough. Housing  11  further supports a pivotable path selector ring  51  which in turn supports a launch button  52 . A speaker  114  is supported within housing  11  together with a plurality of conventional batteries such as battery  115 . A printed circuit board  110  is supported within housing  11  and provides a support base for display unit  13 . In addition, printed circuit board  110  further supports a microprocessor integrated circuit  111  together with an associated memory  112 . Additional digital electronic circuit components such as component  113  are also supported by circuit board  110 . It will be understood that circuit board  110  is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and provides a plurality of electrical connections between the various components and circuit elements supported upon the circuit board to form an operative digital electronic microprocessor game playing circuit. 
     Housing  11  further supports a switch board  80 , the structure of which is set forth below in FIG. 4 in greater detail. Suffice it to note here that switch board  80  is supported beneath path selector ring  51  and launch button  52  and includes a depressible switch  81 . As is better seen in FIG. 4, switch board  81  further includes a plurality of additional switches  70  through  75  as well as a plurality of conductive pads  105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108 . 
     Returning to FIG. 2, launch button  52  is secured in a pivotal attachment to ring  51  at a pivot  56 . Launch button  52  further includes a post  57  extending downwardly toward switch  81  of switch board  80 . A return spring  58  is received upon post  57  and the outer edge of switch  81  and provides a spring force urging launch button  52  upwardly to raise post  57  away from switch  81 . The upward travel of launch button  52  produced by the force of spring  58  is limited by the combination of a post  59  extending downwardly from launch button  52  and passing through a slot  87  (seen in FIG. 3) formed in a plate  90  together with a fastener  66 . Fastener  66  is larger than slot  87  and thus prevents the extensive upward pivoting movement of launch button  52  beyond the position shown. 
     Plate  90  is better seen in FIG.  3  and is supported beneath path selector ring  51  and is secured to selector ring  51  by a plurality of fasteners such as fasteners  38  and  39  (seen in FIG.  3 ). Thus, the combination of selector ring  51 , launch button  52  and plate  90  are movable in a pivotal movement as a single unitary assembly. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, a wiper contact  92  preferably formed of a spring steel material is secured to the underside of plate  90  and extends downwardly to touch the upper surface of switch board  80 . With temporary reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted that conductive pads  105  through  108  are positioned upon switch board  80  so as to be contacted by wiper contact  92 . 
     Returning to FIG. 2, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that microprocessor  111  utilizes a stored instruction set within memory  112  to provide control of display  13  and to respond to input switch conditions from launch control  50 . It will be further understood that the stored instruction set within memory  112  is utilized in providing the above-mentioned game play of tic-tac-toe. It will be noted that the normal raised position of launch button  52  is provided by the cooperation of spring  58 , post  59  and fastener  66 . The user exercises the above-described game play action by forcing launch button  52  downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  55  overcoming the force of spring  58 . As launch button  52  pivots downwardly against the force of spring  58 , the lower end of post  57  contacts the depressible member of switch  81  actuating the switch and causing a signal input to microprocessor  111 . In the desired game play described above, the result of the signal input from activation of switch  81  causes microprocessor  111  to sequentially and incrementally increase the power level to be applied to the launch of the simulated game object. Continuing with the above-described game play, the release of launch button  52  allows spring  58  to pivot launch button  52  upwardly until fastener  66  limits further upward travel. This upward pivotal movement withdraws the lower end of post  57  from switch  81  restoring switch  81  to an open condition. The return of the open condition of switch  81  provides a further signal input to microprocessor  111  which initiates the launch of the game object. 
     The pivotal movement of launch button  52  and path selector ring  51  together with plate  90  is subjected to a three position detent provided by detent mechanism  91 . Detent mechanism  91  is better seen in FIG.  3 . However, suffice it to note here that the use of a three position detent mechanism limits the pivoting position of launch control  50  to the three paths formed on display  13  (seen in FIG.  1 ). In addition and as is also better seen in FIG. 3, the pivoting movement of launch control  50  is further limited by a limit stop  102 . This maintains the pivoting movement of launch control  50  within the desired three position range. 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a partial section view of launch control  50  taken along section lines  3 — 3  in FIG.  2 . Of importance to observe in FIG. 3 is the provision of the above-mentioned three position detent mechanism (detent  91 ) as well as the travel limit function of limit stop  102 . 
     More specifically, game  10  includes a housing  11  within which a plurality of game play buttons  60  through  65  are supported. Housing  11  further includes a generally cylindrical wall  66  which defines a pair of edges  100  and  101  together with a trio of detent slots  93 ,  94  and  95 . A plate  90  is supported within wall  66  by a pair of fasteners  38  and  39  which secure plate  90  to path selector ring  51  (seen in FIG.  2 ). Plate  90  is thus pivotable about a post  57  and spring  58  which extend downwardly from launch button  52  (seen in FIG.  2 ). Plate  90  defines a limit stop  102  which prevents excessive pivotal movement of plate  90  by the cooperation of edges  100  and  101  of wall  66 . Plate  90  further defines a slot  87  which receives post  59  (seen in FIG. 2) of launch button  52  and a fastener  89 . A wiper contact  92  is secured to the underside of plate  90 . Plate  90  further defines a detent spring portion  96  which resiliently supports a detent rib  97 . Detent rib  97  is resiliently received within detent slots  93 ,  94  or  95  to fix the position of plate  90  at one of three detented positions. Thus, plate  90  is pivotable from the centered detent position shown in FIG. 3 in the direction of arrow  83  to the detent position defined by slot  93  or, alternatively, pivotable in the direction indicated by arrow  82  to the detent position shown at slot  95 . 
     It will be noted that wiper contact  92  forms a generally U-shaped structure known generally in the art as a “bridging contact”. With temporary reference to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the two prongs of wiper contact  92  are in contact with conductive pad  105  in all three detent positions and are further in contact with one of conductive pads  106  through  108  depending upon the pivotal position of plate  90 . 
     FIG. 4 sets forth a partial section view of launch control  50  taken along section lines  4 — 4  in FIG.  2 . Launch control  50  includes a switch board  80  supporting a switch  81  described above which is actuated by launch button  52  (seen in FIG.  2 ). Switch board  80  further supports a plurality of switches  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  and  75  which are positioned in alignment with buttons  60  through  65  (seen in FIG.  3 ). In addition, a plurality of circuit board conductive paths  109  provide interconnection between switches  70  through  75  as well as switch  81  and a multi-conductor flat cable  84 . With temporary return to FIG. 2, it will be noted that flat cable  84  provides a plurality of electrical connections between switch board  80  and circuit board  110 . Returning to FIG. 4, switch board  80  further supports a conductive pad  105  together with a trio of conductive pads  106 ,  107  and  108 . Conductive pad  105  is maintained in contact with wiper contact  92  in all three detent positions of plate  90  described above in FIG.  3 . Conversely, conductive pads  106 ,  107  and  108  correspond to the three detent positions also described above for launch control  50 . Thus, as plate  90  (seen in FIG. 3) is moved pivotally between detent positions, a selected one of conductive pads  106  through  108  is brought into electrical connection to conductive pad  105  by the U-shaped structure of wiper contact  92 . In this manner, a three condition signal set is provided to microprocessor  111  (seen in FIG. 2) for path selection in the above-described game play. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.