Patent Publication Number: US-6217025-B1

Title: Game apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a game apparatus, particularly to a game apparatus that moves a movable game piece to a goal on a playing field. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There is known a game apparatus in which a target is to be moved into a given area (e.g., a goal or the like) on a playing field. 
     Such game apparatuses include a soccer game, for example. 
     In a soccer game, a plurality of dimples are formed on the playing field, for example, and a ball as a target is brought into any one of these dimples. 
     The bottom of each of the dimples is provided with two thrusting rods adapted to push the ball toward the competitor&#39;s goal. 
     As the ball enters a dimple, two players depress their respective buttons to manipulate the trusting rods and the ball is moved toward the opponent&#39;s goal. 
     In such a soccer game of the prior art, however, players can not move the ball until the ball reaches the bottom of the dimple. 
     Thus, players have to wait for some time, resulting in lack of speedy feeling. 
     In the prior art soccer game, furthermore, only experienced players can appropriately manipulate their respective thrusting rods at a timing just when the ball reaches the bottom of dimple. Since it is difficult for beginners to catch such a timing, they are liable to lose the game and cannot have fun. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus in which a movable game piece can be moved at any time independent of the position of the game piece in a playing field, thereby reducing the waiting time to provide an increased feel of speed. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus in which a movable game piece can be moved immediately before it falls on a playing field and which can be played by players without very minding the timing, thereby allowing beginners to fully enjoy the game. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus in which a movable game piece is moved to a goal in a playing field, 
     comprising a plurality of tossing devices disposed in the playing field for tossing and moving the movable game piece, each of the tossing devices including: 
     an impacting member disposed in the playing field and driven up and down for impacting and tossing the movable game piece; and 
     driving means for driving the impacting member; 
     wherein adjacent impacting members of the tossing devices toss up the movable game piece in different directions; and 
     wherein there are at least two of the impacting members under the movable game piece when the movable game piece is on the playing field. 
     The movable game piece is always on the impacting members when it is on the playing field. Thus, the movable game piece can be tossed and moved at any desired time, and players can play a speedy game with a superior response. 
     Since there are always at least two adjacent impacting members under the movable game piece, the direction of movement of the game piece will not be restricted in contrast to a prior game. By selecting either of the impacting members under the movable game piece, players can choose the direction of movement of the movable game piece. 
     Each of the tossing devices may be formed as a separate unit, and arranged on the playing field in a matrix form. 
     In such a case, various separate units previously formed can be located on the playing field to structure any desired game apparatus easily. In such a matrix-like arrangement, further, the units can be disposed on the playing field without gap therebetween. 
     The impacting members may have a plurality of radially disposed blades. The adjacent impacting members may be disposed such that the blades of different impacting members are alternately arranged. Each of the blades may have an impacting surface that is inclined and tapered outwardly and downwardly. 
     It is thus ensured that such a tapered impacting surface can toss and move the movable game piece to a plurality of spaced locations in a plurality of directions. 
     Each of the impacting members may include six of the blades that are symmetrically positioned and the impacting members may be lined up in at least two lines on the playing field. 
     When each of the impacting members has six symmetrically positioned blades, the impacting members can easily and surely be arranged on the entire playing field in at least two lines without gaps. 
     At least two goals may be provided at different positions on the playing field. The adjacent blades of different impacting members may impact and toss up the movable game piece in different directions to move the movable game piece toward different goals. 
     When there are at least two impacting members under the movable game piece, adjacent blades of different impacting members are directed toward different goals. Such a configuration is preferable for a competition game because players can select one of the impacting members that moves in a desired direction. 
     It is further preferred that at least two goals are opposed to each other in the playing field. 
     The impacting surface of each of the blades of the impacting member may be movable upwardly to the height higher than the impacting surface of adjacent inactive impacting member. 
     Since the lowest portion of the impacting surface of the impacting member can be moved to the height higher than the impacting surface of adjacent inactive impacting member, the movable game piece can be surely tossed up when it is not at the lowest level of the playing field. Therefore, the players can play the game without very minding the timing at which the movable game piece is to be moved. The game beginner can fully enjoy the game. 
     The impacting member and driving means may be located to be separated each other, and the driving means may give an upward impact to the corresponding impacting member to move it upwardly. 
     Since the driving means and the impacting member are separated, the driving means can toss up the impacting member with a relatively small force. This can increase the fun of the game. 
     The game apparatus may further comprise a sensor that is provided at the impacting member and used to detect a beam from a ray gun. The driving means may selectively give an upward impact to the corresponding impacting member on the basis of a detection signal from the sensor. 
     When a player shoots at the sensor by a ray gun, the movable game piece is tossed up as if the player shot the movable game piece itself. This can increase the fun of the game. 
     The driving means may be selectively actuated by an operating button to selectively toss the impacting member. 
     In this configuration, the player can enjoy the game by operating the button. 
     The movable game piece may be a target that is tossed and moved toward a goal by the impacting member. 
     The use of such a target provides an enjoyable game which is designed to acquire points. 
     In such a case, the game apparatus may further comprise an anti-goal barrier located immediately before the goal, and the target may be tossed and thrown into the goal beyond the barrier. 
     The barrier is used to prevent the target form rolling into the goal. By using such a barrier, the fun of the game can further be improved. 
     The movable game piece may be a prize that is tossed and moved toward the goal by using the impacting member. 
     Players can try to get a prize and enjoy the game. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus having a goal corresponding to the number of a player who moves a target in a playing field into the goal, the game apparatus comprising: 
     a plurality of tossing devices disposed in the playing field for tossing and moving the target, each of the tossing devices including: 
     an impacting member disposed in the playing field and driven up and down for impacting and tossing the target; 
     driving means for driving the impacting member; and 
     a sensor that is provided at the impacting member and used to detect a beam form a ray gun to actuate the driving means; 
     wherein adjacent impacting members of the tossing devices toss up the target in different directions; 
     wherein there are at least two of the impacting members under the target when the target is on the playing field; and 
     wherein the sensor allows the player to selectively actuate the driving means by detecting the beam from the ray gun. 
     When the players select one of at least two impacting members and shoot at the sensor of it, they can feel as if they shot the target. In this way, they can move the target and enjoy the competition game. 
     The target is always on the impacting members when it is on the playing field. Thus, the target can be tossed and moved at any desired time, and players can play a speedy game with a superior response. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entirety of a game apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the playing field in the game apparatus of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section of the tossing device in the embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the impacting member shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the impacting member shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI—VI in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VII—VII in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the impacting members of two adjacent tossing devices in this embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of three impacting members under one target in this embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 9 with one impacting member being upwardly moved from the position of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 9 with another impacting member being upwardly moved from the position of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 9 with still another impacting member being upwardly moved from the position of FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     One preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describe in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     FIGS. 1-12 show a game apparatus constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus  10  of this embodiment has a substantially oblong playing field  12  which is provided with goals  14  and  16  at either end of the playing field  12  as viewed in the longitudinal direction. This means that the game apparatus  10  is a competing game. 
     The game apparatus  10  also includes upright catch nets  20  which are located on the playing field  12  at either side to prevent a movable game piece or target  18  from bouncing out of the playing field  12 . 
     Two players  22  and  24  stand before the respective ends of the playing field  12  close to the goals  14  and  16  and try to acquire points by tossing and moving the target  18  into the competitor&#39;s goal  16  or  14 . In this embodiment, the target  18  is a coin which can easily be tossed up. However, the target  18  may take any other form such as an empty can if it can easily be tossed up. 
     As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the playing field  12  includes a plurality of tossing devices  26  for tossing and moving the target  18 , which are arranged adjacent to one another into a matrix. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, each of the tossing devices  26  is in the form of a single tossing unit which comprises an impacting member  28 , a solenoid  30  functioning as driving means and a light receiving sensor  32 . 
     The impacting member  28  can be driven up and down for tossing and moving the target  18  on the playing field  12 , and disposed adjacent to the other impacting members  28  on the playing field  12 . 
     More particularly, each impacting member  28  has a tubular shaft  34 . As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, three guide plates  36  of L-shaped cross-section are mounted on the shaft  34  around the outer periphery thereof and spaced apart from one another. These guide plates  36  extend downwardly from the bottom end of the shaft  34 . 
     Each of the three guide plates  36  downwardly extends through the respective one of three through-holes  42  (see FIG. 7) which are formed through a guide block  40  mounted on the bottom of an upper part  38   a  in a mounting frame  38 . The bottom end of each guide plate  36  includes a stopper plate  44  mounted thereon. 
     The guide plates  36  and guide block  40  function to guide the vertical motion of the impacting member  28  and also to prevent the horizontal rotation of the impacting member  28 . At the same time, the stopper plate  44  prevents the impacting member  28  from falling out. 
     The bottom faces of the shaft and guide block  34 ,  40  include pads  46  mounted thereon for damping impacts on ascent and descent of the impacting member  28 . 
     A return spring  48  is located between the bottom of the guide block  40  and the top of the stopper plate  44  to return the impacting member  28  to its appropriate position on descent. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the target  18  is so dimensioned that there are always at least two adjacent impacting members  28  under the target  18  on the playing field  12 . 
     More particularly, the impacting member  28  comprises six blades  50  radially extending from the outer periphery of the shaft  34 , as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The impacting members  28  are arranged in such a closely aligned matrix pattern that the blades  50  of different impacting members  28  are alternately arranged, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Thus, two players  22  and  24  can select and operate either of the at least two impacting members  28  under the target  18  to toss and move the target  18  at any time. This provides a game having an improved response. 
     Each of the blades  50  in the impacting member  28  includes a tapered top impacting surface  52  inclined outwardly and downwardly with a given angle θ, as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     The impacting surface  52  in the impacting member  28  functions not only to toss the target  18  merely upwardly, but also to move the target  18  in a given direction to be away from the impacting member  28 . 
     All the six blades  50  on the impacting member  28  are directed not to extend from the shaft  34  in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the playing field  12 , as shown in FIG.  2 . As the target  18  is upwardly tossed by any one of the six blades  50 , the tossed target  18  will be moved to approach any one of the goals. In the present embodiment, particularly, the adjacent blades  50  in the adjacent impacting members  28  are designed to toss up the target  18  in different directions. More particularly, one of the adjacent blades  50  of adjacent impacting members  28  tosses and moves the target  18  toward one of the goals  14  and  16 , and the other of the adjacent blades  50  tosses and moves the target  18  toward the other of the goals  14  and  16 . 
     In such a manner, each of the players  22  and  24  can selectively drive the impacting member  28  directed to the competitor&#39;s goal  16  or  14  to toss and move the target  18  thereto. 
     As can be seen from FIG. 8, the impacting member  28  has such a stroke S that the lowest portion of the impacting surface  52  in that impacting member  28  is movable upwardly to the height higher than the impacting surface  52  of the adjacent intermeshed inactive impacting member  28 . 
     Thus, even when the target  18  is at a portion  56  of the impacting surface  52  of one impacting member  28  and in non-contact with the impacting surface  52  of any other adjacent impacting member  28 , the target  18  can upwardly be tossed by the lowest portion  54  of the impacting surface  52  of the adjacent impacting member  28  by upwardly bouncing the last-mentioned impacting member  28 . Therefore, the target  18  can always be tossed and moved by selecting and driving any one of the at least two adjacent impacting members  28 . 
     In addition, the target  18  can be again tossed up by the lowest portion  54  of the impacting surface  52  of the impacting member  28  even before the previously tossed target  18  falls on the lowest level on the playing field. 
     The solenoid  30  functions to toss the corresponding impacting member  28  and is in the form of AC solenoid in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the solenoid  30  is mounted on the mounting frame  38  such that its plunger  58  is located below the stopper plate  44 . 
     The solenoid  30  is located separately of the corresponding impacting member  28 . As the solenoid  30  is energized the plunger  58  thereof is banged against the bottom of the corresponding stopper plate  44  to produce such an impact that the impacting member  28  is upwardly tossed. 
     In such an arrangement, the kinetic energy in the solenoid  30  is transmitted to the impacting member  28 , so that it can be tossed up with a relatively small force. 
     The light receiving sensor  32  functions to energize the solenoid  30  when the sensor  32  receives a light beam from a ray gun held by the player  22  or  24 . As shown in FIG. 3, the light receiving sensor  32  is mounted within the shaft  34  of the corresponding impacting member  28  so that the light receiving portion  64  thereof is exposed at the top of a sleeve  62  also mounted within the same shaft  34 . Thus, the light receiving portion  64  of the sensor  32  can easily receive the light beam  68 . 
     The light receiving portion  64  is covered with a transparent cover  66  so that the light receiving portion  64  will not be damaged by direct impact with the target  18 . 
     The light beam  68  from the ray gun  60  is a visible light ray emitted from a xenon lamp. As the ray gun is triggered, the visible light ray is emitted therefrom to visibly confirm whether or not the shot hits the target. 
     The playing field  12  includes barriers  70  located in front of the goals  14  and  16  for prevent the target  18  from rolling into the respective one of the goals  14  and  16 . Thus, the target  18  must be tossed up in front of the barriers  70  to be thrown into the goal  14  or  16 . 
     The game apparatus  10  will now be described in operation 
     Two players  22  and  24  stand before the goals  14  and  16  of the playing field  12  while holding the respective ray guns  60  and then throw a coin into a coin slot. 
     When either of the player  22  or  24  depresses an entry button, the game will be started. 
     If the target  18  used in the previous play remains on the playing field  12 , for example, the players  22  or  24  may trigger its own ray gun  60  for ten seconds before the game is actually started. As a result, the player  22  or  24  can perform a test shooting while returning the target into the goal  14  or  16 . 
     After the target  18  has been returned into the goal  14  or  16  within ten seconds, the returned target  18  is again thrown onto the playing field  12  and then the actual game will be started. 
     If the target  18  has not been returned into the goal  14  or  16  within ten seconds, the game is automatically started while the target  18  used in the previous play remains on the playing field  12 . 
     After starting of the game, the players  22  and  24  compete against each other to acquire points by tossing the target  18  into the competitor&#39;s goal  14  or  16  within a given period of time. 
     During play of the game, the players  22  and  24  irradiate the light beams  68  from their own ray guns  60  toward the playing field  12  under the target  18 . 
     In such a case, each player selects one of the impacting members  28  and irradiates the light beam from the ray gun  60  to the light receiving portion  64  of the light receiving sensor  32  in the selected impacting member  28  since there are at least two adjacent impacting members  28  under the target  18  at all times. 
     As the light receiving portion  32  of the impacting member  28  receives the light beam  68  from the ray gun  60 , the light receiving sensor  32  generates an operating signal which is in turn fed to the corresponding solenoid  30 . In response to the signal, the solenoid  30  is energized to cause the plunger  58  thereof to impact the bottom of the stopper plate  44 , thereby upwardly moving the corresponding impacting member  28 . 
     In this case, the impact is transmitted from the plunger  58  to the impacting member  28  through the stopper and guide plates  44 ,  36 , so that the impacting member  28  will be moved upwardly into abutment of the stopper plate  44  with the pad  46  on the bottom of the guide block  40  against the bias of the return spring  48 . As a result, the corresponding impacting member  28  will toss the target  18  upwardly. 
     As the impacting member  28  is guided by the guide block  40  and guide plate  36 , it can upwardly be tossed without rotation. Thereafter, the impacting member  28  will downwardly be moved properly to its original position under the action of the return spring  48 . 
     The impacting member  28  is selected in such a manner as shown in FIGS. 9-12. 
     For example, FIG. 9 shows that there are three blades  50   a.    50   b  and  50   c  in three adjacent impacting member  28   a ,  28   b  and  28   c  under the target  18 . 
     As one of these impacting member  28   a  is driven in such a state, the target  18  will be tossed and moved by the impacting surface  52   a  of the blade  50   a  in a direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     As another impacting member  28   b  is driven, the target  18  will be tossed and moved by the impacting surface  52   b  of the blade  50   b  in a direction of arrow B as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     As still another impacting member  28  is driven, the target  18  will be tossed and moved by the impacting surface  52   c  of the blade  50   c  in a direction of arrow C as shown in FIG.  12 . 
     Thus, each of the players  22  or  24  selects any one of the three impacting members  28   a ,  28   b  or  28   c  which can move the target  18  in the desired direction, and shoots the light receiving sensor on the selected impacting member  28   a ,  28   b  or  28   c  by the ray gun to put the target  18  to the competitor&#39;s goal  14  or  16 . 
     In such a manner, the two players  22  and  24  can toss and move the target  18  toward the barrier  70  in front of the competitor&#39;s goal and further toss the target in front of that barrier  70  so that the target will enter the goal  14  or  16  beyond the barrier  70  to acquire a point. 
     Such a matter will repeated within a given limited period of time to compete points. 
     The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, but may be carried out in any of various other forms within the concept and scope of the present invention. 
     Although the aforementioned embodiment has been described as to the competition game using a target as a movable game piece, the present invention may be applied to a game in which a prize such as a doll is to be tossed and moved to a getting position, a game in which a prize is to be tossed into a particular goal, a game in which a prize is moved to a goal in a stepped playing field, or the like. 
     Although the movable game piece has been described as to a coin-like target, the movable game piece may take any of various other movable game pieces of different shape and size if it will not penetrate into the gap between the adjacent impacting members. 
     Although the playing field has been described as to the substantially oblong configuration, the present invention may take any playing field of different shape and size by changing the number of impacting members. 
     Although the tossing devices have been described as to a tossing unit, they are not necessarily structured into such a unit and may be formed by assembling individual parts on the playing field. 
     Although the impacting members have been described as to having six blades, the number of blades may be changed to three or four if they can closely be bedded on the playing field and move the movable game piece to the desired direction. 
     Although the aforementioned embodiment has been described as to the impacting member is tossed up by the driving means without rotation, they may be bounced up while being rotated. 
     Although the driving means has been described as to AC solenoid, it may be in the form of DC solenoid or air cylinder or lever means. 
     Although the light receiving sensors have been described as to receiving the visible light ray emitted from the xenon lamp, it may be in the form of a sensor for sensing infrared rays or ultrasonic waves. 
     The driving means may be energized to selectively toss the impacting members by selectively actuating operating buttons. This provides a game which can be enjoyed by players using the operating buttons.