US3643951A - Surface projectile game device with intermittently closed target openings - Google Patents

Abstract

A game device including a base having apertures therein with a rotatable disc underlying the apertures and having a radial segmental opening therein. Launching trays and capsulelike playing pieces are also provided for launching the capsules towards the playing surface in an attempt to feed the capsules through one of the openings in the playing surface in timed relationship to the rotation of the underlying disc having the segmental opening therein.

Description

United States'Patent Breslow [54] SURFACE PROJECTILE GAME DEVICE WITH INTERMITTENTLY CLOSED TARGET OPENINGS [72] inventor: Jelirey D. Breslow, Chicago, Ill. 73 Assignee: Marvin on 8z-Assocltlles [22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 65,944

[ Feb. 22, 1972 1,973,8l4 9/1934 Kirk ..273/l22A 3,008,7l6 ll/l96l Wiendl ..273/ll3X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorneyl-iofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord [57] ABSTRACT A game device including a base having apertures therein with a rotatable disc underlying the apertures and having a radial segmental opening therein. Launching trays and capsulelike 0.8- CI. ie e are also provided for launching the capsules [51] 67/4 towards the playing surface in an attempt to feed the ca'psules [58] Field of Search ..273/l08, 120, 113, 110,116, through one f the openings in theplaying surface in timed 9, 121, 122, 125 relationship to the rotation of the underlying disc having the segmental opening therein. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1,138,865 5/1915 Hagerty ..273/l 19 R 2 1' 18a 46 a l8a 12 1a r is 38 48 20 22 18a 3 186 2o 1 e PATENTEDFEB22 1m 3,643,951

1 INVENTQR 5 JEFFQEVQ BPfSAOW m w amwsmmw ATTO R N EV SURFACE PROJECTILE GAME DEVICE WITH INTERMITTENTLY CLOSED TARGET OPENINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to game devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art v There are many childrens games of the type wherein a playing piece or missile element is attempted to be launched into some sort of path of travel for the intended passage of that missile element through an aperture in a structure spaced from the launching structure. Such games have the desirable attributes of being easily understood and rather easily executed by the participants. It is known that fascination with competitive-type games in general is increased when an element of the successful play of the game involves movement or launching of a movable member in timed relationship to another component of the game in order to successfully complete a turn or maneuver. Furthermore, such games which involve this element of timed relationship between a playing piece and another member for successful play thereof, further have the attribute of developing a participants sense of tim- Thus, the game of this invention is intended to satisfy the continuing need and desire in the art to provide improved games and particularly to provide an improved game of the type wherein a playing piece is intended to be launched through an aperture in timed relationship to a member which normally blocks the aperture but, has portions for providing a temporary opening therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of an improved launching-type game.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention, includes the provision of a base having a plurality of apertures therein with a rotatable disc underlying the base. The rotatable disc has a cutout radial segmental area positioned to underly the openings in the base. The game further includes launching trays and capsulelike playing elements. To play the game the rotatable disc is spun and the players attempt to launch their capsule elements through one of the apertures in timed relationship to the passage of the opening in the disc under one of the openings in the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The game of this invention includes a base 12 comprising a generally planar top surface 14 and depending sidewalls 16 which hold the top surface 14 elevated with respect to a supporting surface. Upright comer portions 18 join the intermediate sidewall portions 16 and terminate in a top surface 18a elevated above the base top surface 14. Preferably, the base 12 would be generally formed as a one-piece structure out of a suitable material, such as plastic or the like.

The top 14 has a plurality of apertures 20 therein, with these apertures 20 preferably being regularly spaced about the center of the top surface 14. In addition, the top 14 also has a plurality of recesses 22 therein, which are shown adjacent each of the four comer upright portions 18.

The top is further provided with a central aperture 24 which receives the spindle 26 of a disc 28 located to the underside of top 14 to rotatably mount the disc 28 with respect to the base 12. The disc 28 includes a canted portion 30 which tenninates adjacent an open radial sector or generally pie-shaped notch or opening 32 therein. Disc 28 serves the function of normally blocking the openings 20 to prevent the passage of an element therethrough, but intermittently creating a through passage when the open sector 32 is in alignment with one of the openings 20.

The game 10 further includes a plurality of launching trays 34 having a bottom 36 and upright sides 38 terminating in an open end 40. Playing elements 42 are also provided, preferably, in a form of a reliable member, such as the illustrated capsules 42 which may have a weighted ball in the interior thereof to give an eccentric action to the movement of the elements 42. It is to be understood that in a simpler version of the game a ball-like element could be utilized for the playing element 42.

Top surface 18a of each of the upright comer sections 18, includes a plurality of openings 44 with numerals 46 adjacent the openings. Scoring pegs 48 may be inserted through the openings 44 adjacent the appropriate numeral 46 to keep track of the score for the participants of the game.

To play the game, the disc 28 is spun by rotating the spindle portion 26 thereof, and players attempt to launch the playing elements 42 through an aperture 20 by placing the trays 34 adjacent an edge of the playing surface 14 and allowing the playing elements 42 to roll and/or bounce downwardly of the tray 36. If the player has appropriately aimed the element 42 so that it will arrive at an opening 20 generally simultaneous with the passage of the open sector 32 thereunder, then the player will be successful and the playing element 42 will pass through the opening 20 to result in the award of a point for the player. If the timed dispensation of the playing element 42 is only slightly in advance of the arrival of the open sector 32 under the opening 20, then the playing element 42 will drop onto the canted portion 30 of the disc 30 and ultimately complete its path of descent as it arrives in the area of the open sector 32. Variations of the game could include penalty for those launched playing pieces 42 which bounce into a recess 22 instead of bouncing off of the playing surface or coming to arest thereon.

Thus, it can be seen that the game device of this invention incorporates the desirable and easily understood elements of attempting to launch a playing piece into a remotely positioned aperture, with the further desirable element of the required proper aiming and timed dispensation of the playing piece in association with another element which normally blocks the aperture .through which the playing piece is to be launched. 1

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

I. A game device comprising: a playing element receiving member including a surface having a plurality of openings therein; a blocking member movably connected to the playing element receiving surface for normally blocking access through most of the openings therein at any one time, said blocking member including a disc rotatably mounted to the playing element receiving surface and underlying the surface openings therein and having an open segment whereby movement of said blocking member relative to said playing element receiving member causes temporary intermittent access through any one of the openings while the remainder thereof are blocked; a plurality of playing elements of a size and shape to extend into the openings in the playing surface; and launching means for launching said playing elements towards said playing element receiving member.

recesses therein spaced from said openings.

4. The game device of claim 1 wherein said playing elements each comprise an elongated hollow casing including a ball therein which is freely movable lengthwise of said casing.

Claims (4)

1. A game device comprising: a playing element receiving member including a surface having a plurality of openings therein; a blocking member movably connected to thE playing element receiving surface for normally blocking access through most of the openings therein at any one time, said blocking member including a disc rotatably mounted to the playing element receiving surface and underlying the surface openings therein and having an open segment whereby movement of said blocking member relative to said playing element receiving member causes temporary intermittent access through any one of the openings while the remainder thereof are blocked; a plurality of playing elements of a size and shape to extend into the openings in the playing surface; and launching means for launching said playing elements towards said playing element receiving member.

2. The game device of claim 1 wherein the blocking member includes a downwardly and outwardly inclined portion adjacent the open segment.

3. The game device of claim 1 wherein the playing element receiving member further includes a plurality of surface recesses therein spaced from said openings.

4. The game device of claim 1 wherein said playing elements each comprise an elongated hollow casing including a ball therein which is freely movable lengthwise of said casing.

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