EP0580492A1 - Indoor marble game - Google Patents

Indoor marble game Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0580492A1
EP0580492A1 EP19930401862 EP93401862A EP0580492A1 EP 0580492 A1 EP0580492 A1 EP 0580492A1 EP 19930401862 EP19930401862 EP 19930401862 EP 93401862 A EP93401862 A EP 93401862A EP 0580492 A1 EP0580492 A1 EP 0580492A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
notch
game board
guide
balls
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP19930401862
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0580492B1 (en
Inventor
Hubert Becquart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Smir De France (sa)
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Smir De France (sa)
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0580492A1 publication Critical patent/EP0580492A1/en
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Publication of EP0580492B1 publication Critical patent/EP0580492B1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/0005—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks played on a table, the ball or other playing body being rolled or slid from one side of the table in more than one direction or having more than one entering position on this same side, e.g. shuffle boards
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/24—Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies
    • A63F7/28—Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies using gravity, i.e. apparatus for rolling off the ball, e.g. a slope, ramp or slant
    • A63F2007/282—Gutter-shaped
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/24—Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies
    • A63F7/28—Devices controlled by the player to project or roll-off the playing bodies using gravity, i.e. apparatus for rolling off the ball, e.g. a slope, ramp or slant
    • A63F2007/286—Pipe-shaped
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/36—Constructional details not covered by groups A63F7/24 - A63F7/34, i.e. constructional details of rolling boards, rims or play tables, e.g. frame, game boards, guide tracks
    • A63F2007/367—Details of the rim

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an indoor game with balls. It relates more particularly to a game, comprising a plate in which notches have been made, each notch being capable of holding a ball in position.
  • a set of balls comprising a plate divided into several parallel and horizontal guideways, each guideway comprising several notches for the temporary immobilization of a ball.
  • the profile of these notches is symmetrical and more particularly spherical.
  • the guide lanes are separated from each other by means of sliders, so as to prevent a ball from passing from one lane to another.
  • the downstream end of each lane is closed, the last notch being used for the final immobilization of a ball.
  • the aim which the applicant has set for himself is to improve the set of balls disclosed in document FR.A.539 421, so that the notches for temporarily immobilizing a guide passage have a capacity for capturing the balls. more important, while allowing a ball immobilized in a notch to be easily dislodged under the impact of another ball.
  • the indoor game with balls of the invention which in known manner comprises a launching area and a game board provided with at least one guide lane, which opens in the extension of the launch area, and which has at least one so-called temporary immobilization notch, which is capable of immobilizing a ball coming from the launch area, and rolling in the guide lane.
  • a temporary immobilization notch has an asymmetrical profile, with an upstream wall which is steeper than the downstream wall, in order to facilitate the capture of a ball, while allowing a captured ball to be easily dislodged.
  • upstream and downstream are in the present text defined with respect to the direction of launching of a ball, that is to say from the launching area towards the game board.
  • the first ball leaving the notch under the effect of the impact, resumes its path inside the guide corridor, and the second ball in its turn stops in the notch, taking the place of the first ball. Since the downstream wall of the notch in which the first ball is immobilized is less steep than the upstream wall, the first ball is more easily dislodged than if it had been immobilized in a notch with a symmetrical profile.
  • At least one guide corridor of the game board is inclined in whole or in part, so as to delimit over all or part of its length, an ascending path for the ball, beyond the launching area.
  • the downstream end of at least one guide passage which is opposite to the launching area, is closed, and includes a final immobilization notch.
  • the upstream end of a guide passage which is located in the extension of the launch area is flared.
  • the indoor game according to the invention advantageously comprises means for propelling the balls on the launching area, in the direction of the game board.
  • these propulsion means consist of a straight piece, of the gutter type or hollow cylinder, which is capable of serving as a guide for a ball, and which is tiltable so that a ball can acquire kinetic energy under the sole action of its weight, by rolling in said part.
  • the launching area further comprises over all or part of its length, two removable side walls, one end of which adjoins the game board, and which prevent the balls from leaving the launching area laterally. that is to say transversely to the direction of launching of the balls.
  • the latter consists of a mat, the upper face of which in contact with the balls is produced by flocking of synthetic fibers.
  • This embodiment makes it possible to obtain a launching area, at the surface of which the balls undergo optimal friction forces, that is to say such that the balls do not slip but roll on the carpet being very little braked.
  • the game board is a block, in which are hollowed out several guide lanes, which delimit for the balls courses having different shapes and lengths.
  • the game board is a shaped plastic block, by thermoforming or by injection molding.
  • thermoforming technique is well suited for the production of small series, while injection molding is essential for large series, because of its higher cost.
  • the indoor game 1 comprises several balls 2 of the same diameter, a launch area 3, which is constituted in this case by a mat 14 horizontal and shaped rectangular, and a game board 4, substantially square, which adjoins the mat 14.
  • the game board 4 consists of a block 5, in which six guideways 6a, 6b 6c, 6d 6e, 6f have been dug, which act as channels for the balls 2.
  • the hollow part of the game board 4 is represented in FIG. 1 by a surface 5a which is not hatched, and which is designated in the remainder of this description as being the lower surface of the game board 4.
  • Each guide lane consists of two side walls 9 and 10, and a bottom wall which corresponds to the lower surface 5a of the game board 4.
  • the guide corridors 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f delimit paths for balls 2, which have a different curved shape, and which are more or less long.
  • the side walls 9 and 10 delimiting a guide corridor are parallel, and have a height sufficient to prevent a ball which has entered said corridor, can come out laterally, for example under the impact of another ball.
  • these walls 9 and 10 have a height which is at least equivalent to the radius of a ball 2.
  • the space between two lateral walls 9 and 10 of a guide passage is greater than the diameter of a ball , but less than twice this diameter, so that two balls rolling in the same lane, are necessarily one behind the other and cannot cross without colliding.
  • the edge 5b of the lower surface 5a of the game board 4, and the edge 15 corresponding to a width of the rectangular mat 14, are contiguous without any space separating them. These two edges 5b and 15 having the same length, the lower surface 5adu game board 4 is located directly in the extension of the mat 14. Furthermore, if we refer to Figure 2, it clearly appears that the upper face 14a of the mat intended to be in contact with the balls 2, is situated at the same level as the lower surface 5a of the game board 4, in the junction area of the game board and the carpet. Thus, a ball 2 rolling on the mat 14 in the direction of the game board 4 encounters no obstacle and is not disturbed during its passage from the upper face 14a of the mat 14 to the lower surface 5a of the game board 4.
  • the game board and the mat can be independent of each other. However, it is preferable that the mat 14 is fixed to the game board.
  • an adhesive strip 17 can be used which is glued under the game board 4 and the mat 14, along their respective edges 5b and 15.
  • each guide passage opens into the extension of the belt 14 near its edge 15.
  • this upstream end has a flared shape.
  • the guideways 6a, 6d and 6f have notches 12 for temporarily immobilizing a ball 2.
  • the downstream end 8 of each guideway 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e 6f is closed by a vertical wall 11 and has a final immobilization notch 13 of a ball 2.
  • the guide corridors 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e are inclined over their entire length, so as to delimit an ascending path for a ball 2 coming from the mat 14. The same is true for the guide corridors 6a and 6f in their zone which extends between their upstream end 7, and their notch 12 for temporary immobilization if killed near their downstream end 8.
  • Part 6'a of the guide passage 6a which extends from said notch 12, at the downstream end 8, constitutes a downward slope.
  • a ball immobilized in said notch 12 after having been dislodged by an ascending ball, can under the sole action of its weight reach the final immobilization notch 13 of the guide passage 6a. It is the same for the guide corridor 6f.
  • the inclination of the guideways has been represented in FIG. 1 by arrows which symbolize the direction of travel that a ball 2 tends to take, under the sole action of its weight.
  • FIG. 3 shows the profile of a notch 12 for temporarily immobilizing a ball, located in the upward part of a guide passage.
  • the profile of this notch 12 is asymmetrical, the upstream wall 12a of the notch being steeper than the downstream wall 12b.
  • a notch 12 for temporary immobilization or a definitive immobilization notch 13 If the ball after having lost all its kinetic energy has not reached a notch 12 for temporary immobilization or a definitive immobilization notch 13, it starts again in the opposite direction under the action of its weight, in the direction of the notch above which it had passed, and immobilized there. It is easily understood that the upstream wall 12a of the notch 12 being abrupt, it facilitates the blocking of a descending ball. It is up to the person skilled in the art to determine the length of the ascending part of a guide passage between two successive notches, as well as its angle of inclination, so that a ball located at any point in this part ascending, under the action of its own weight, cannot acquire sufficient descending kinetic energy to allow it to pass over such a notch 12.
  • the notch 12, shown in FIG. 3, is sufficiently shallow so that a ball rolling in the same lane can strike a ball, immobilized in said notch and shown in dotted lines.
  • the downstream wall 12b of the notch 12 being slightly inclined, the ball 2 which is immobilized can easily leave the notch 12 under the impact of an ascending ball.
  • FIG. 4 shows the profile of the final immobilization notch 13 located at the downstream end 8 of the guide passage 6c.
  • the block 5, constituting the game board 4 which has just been described, is preferably made of plastic, according to the known technique either of injection molding, or of thermoforming.
  • the use of a plastic material makes it possible to make a game board which is both robust and light.
  • Injection molding, or thermoforming makes it possible to manufacture in series and with reliability, game boards comprising several guide lanes, having any shape and length.
  • the preferred embodiment of the game board 4 which has just been described has been given by way of non-limiting example.
  • the game board 4 can in fact consist of a flat and inclined surface, surmounted by vertical side walls delimiting the guide conduits.
  • a person skilled in the art can design a game board, the inclination of the guideways of which is adjustable, without however departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the upper face 14a thereof is produced by flocking of synthetic fibers, on a flexible support 14b.
  • This technique moreover well known to those skilled in the art, makes it possible to obtain a surface on which the balls can roll, while undergoing minimal friction forces.
  • the upper face 14a of the mat 14 is flat and horizontal. It is however possible to envisage, without departing from the scope of the invention, a flat upper face having an inclination, or a curved upper face.
  • the indoor game 1 also includes two identical bars 18a, 18b, the length of which is less than the length of the carpet 14. These two bars rest longitudinally on the upper face 14a of the carpet , along the lateral edges of the latter, and adjoin the edge 5b of the game board 4.
  • Their respective walls 19a, 19b act as ramparts for the balls which have been launched, in order to prevent them from leaving the launch pad 3 laterally, that is to say in a direction transverse to the length of the mat 14.
  • the balls tend to leave the launch pad 3 laterally, after an impact with another ball which is is produced at the level of the belt, or after having left an inclined guide corridor.
  • the lateral exits of the balls are therefore more frequent near the game board 4. This is why it is preferable that the bars 18a, 18b adjoin the game board 4.
  • their weight must be sufficient so that they do not move under the impact of a ball.
  • the interior set 1 also comprises a hollow cylinder 16, the interior cavity 16a of which has a cross section smaller than the diameter of a ball 2.
  • This cylinder 16 is used to propel a ball 2 on the surface of the mat 14, in the direction of the game board 4. To do this, it suffices to keep the hollow tube inclined relative to the face upper 14a of the mat, the hollow cylinder not being in contact with said upper face, then introducing a ball 2 into the hollow cylinder 16, through the upper orifice 16_b of the interior cavity 16a.
  • the kinetic energy that the ball has acquired when it touches the upper face 14a of the mat 14 is a function of the angle of inclination a between the cylinder 16 and said upper surface, and on the other hand the height h at which the lower end 16c of the cylinder 16 is located, by which the ball is discharged.
  • a gutter having a curved or angled profile.
  • One of the goals that a player can set for himself using the indoor game with balls according to the invention, is to throw his balls towards the game board, so that a maximum of them are immobilized in the temporary immobilization notches 12 or permanent immobilization 13.
  • a player When a player throws a ball on the carpet in the direction of the game board, it may not enter one of the guide lanes, and stop at the upper face 14a of the carpet 14, or the surface lower 5adu game board. In this case, the player must throw a second ball in the direction of the first ball, so that the first ball, possibly the second ball, enter a guideway under the effect of impact .
  • the guide lane is of the type of lane 6c, that is to say having a single final immobilization notch 13, or the first ball has been launched with sufficient force to reach said notch, and to immobilize therein definitively, either it exhausts all its kinetic energy in the ascending part of the corridor 6c, and starts again in the opposite direction under the action of its weight, to come out of the guide corridor, in the direction of the belt 14.
  • the first ball can either directly reach the definitive immobilization notch 13, or stop in one of the temporary immobilization notches 12 during its upward movement, or possibly during a downward movement, or not reach until at the notch closest to the upstream end 7 of the guide passage, and out of said passage in the direction of the belt 14.
  • a first ball When a first ball is immobilized in a notch 12 for temporary immobilization, it can be dislodged by a second ball which has entered behind it in the same guide corridor. Under the effect of this impact, the first dislodged ball can possibly acquire enough kinetic energy to reach the notch located just after in the guide corridor. The second ball that dislodged it takes its place in the notch where it was immobilized.
  • the first ball has not acquired, under the effect of the impact with the second ball, sufficient kinetic energy to reach the next notch, it starts again in the opposite direction and abuts against the second ball which has taken its place in the notch, and which now holds it in position.
  • the energy resulting from the impact is communicated to the first ball which resumes its path in the guide lane: the second ball remains in place in the notch; the third ball having exhausted all of its kinetic energy during the impact, departs in the opposite direction.
  • the balls 2 can be of different colors, so that a player can easily recognize the balls which belong to him. Furthermore, in the embodiment which has just been described, all the balls have an identical size, which facilitates the dimensioning of the guide corridors of the plate 4, of their inclination, and of the size as well as the profile of the notches. However, we can also design an indoor game in which the balls have different sizes.

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Abstract

The indoor game (1) with marbles (2) comprises a throwing area (3) and a game board (4) equipped with at least one guide channel (6a), which opens out in the extension of the throwing area (3) and which has at least one notch capable of immobilising a marble (2) originating from the throwing area (3) and rolling in the guide channel. According to the invention, at least one notch of the guide channel is a notch (12), called temporary immobilisation notch, having an asymmetrical profile with an upstream wall which is steeper than the downstream wall in order to facilitate the capture of a marble (2), while enabling a captured marble to be dislodged easily. Advantageously, at least one guide channel of the game board (4) is inclined over all or part of its length. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un jeu d'intérieur avec billes. Elle concerne plus particulièrement un jeu, comportant un plateau dans lequel ont été pratiquées des encoches, chaque encoche étant susceptible de maintenir en position une bille.The present invention relates to an indoor game with balls. It relates more particularly to a game, comprising a plate in which notches have been made, each notch being capable of holding a ball in position.

On connaît déjà, notamment par le document FR.A.539 421, un jeu de billes comportant un plateau divisé en plusieurs couloirs de guidage parallèles et horizontaux, chaque couloir de guidage comportant plusieurs encoches pour l'immobilisation temporaire d'une bille. Le profil de ces encoches est symétrique et plus particulièrement sphérique. Les couloirs de guidage sont séparés entre eux à l'aide de réglettes, de manière à éviter qu'une bille puisse passer d'un couloir à l'autre. L'extrémité aval de chaque couloir est fermée, la dernière encoche servant à l'immobilisation définitive d'une bille. Lorsqu'une bille a pénétré à l'intérieur d'un couloir et qu'elle s'est immobilisée dans l'une des encoches, il est possible de la déloger, pour la faire progresser à l'intérieur du couloir, en lançant une autre bille dans ce même couloir.Already known, in particular from document FR.A.539 421, a set of balls comprising a plate divided into several parallel and horizontal guideways, each guideway comprising several notches for the temporary immobilization of a ball. The profile of these notches is symmetrical and more particularly spherical. The guide lanes are separated from each other by means of sliders, so as to prevent a ball from passing from one lane to another. The downstream end of each lane is closed, the last notch being used for the final immobilization of a ball. When a ball has entered a corridor and it has stopped in one of the notches, it is possible to dislodge it, to advance it inside the corridor, by throwing a another ball in the same corridor.

Le but que s'est fixé le demandeur est de perfectionner le jeu de billes divulgué dans le document FR.A.539 421, de telle sorte que les encoches d'immobilisation temporaire d'un couloir de guidage aient une capacité de capture des billes plus importante, tout en permettant à une bille immobilisée dans une encoche d'être facilement délogée sous l'impact d'une autre bille.The aim which the applicant has set for himself is to improve the set of balls disclosed in document FR.A.539 421, so that the notches for temporarily immobilizing a guide passage have a capacity for capturing the balls. more important, while allowing a ball immobilized in a notch to be easily dislodged under the impact of another ball.

Ce but est parfaitement atteint par le jeu d'intérieur avec billes de l'invention, qui de manière connue comporte une aire de lancement et un plateau de jeu muni d'au moins un couloir de guidage, qui débouche dans le prolongement de l'aire de lancement, et qui présente au moins une encoche dite d'immobilisation temporaire, qui est apte à immobiliser une bille provenant de l'aire de lancement, et roulant dans le couloir de guidage.This object is perfectly achieved by the indoor game with balls of the invention, which in known manner comprises a launching area and a game board provided with at least one guide lane, which opens in the extension of the launch area, and which has at least one so-called temporary immobilization notch, which is capable of immobilizing a ball coming from the launch area, and rolling in the guide lane.

De manière caractéristique, une encoche d'immobilisation temporaire possède un profil asymétrique, avec une paroi amont qui est plus abrupte que la paroi aval, afin de faciliter la capture d'une bille, tout en permettant à une bille capturée d'être facilement délogée. Les termes amont et aval sont dans le présent texte définis par rapport à la direction de lancement d'une bille, c'est-à-dire de l'aire de lancement vers le plateau de jeu.Typically, a temporary immobilization notch has an asymmetrical profile, with an upstream wall which is steeper than the downstream wall, in order to facilitate the capture of a ball, while allowing a captured ball to be easily dislodged. . The terms upstream and downstream are in the present text defined with respect to the direction of launching of a ball, that is to say from the launching area towards the game board.

Lorsqu'une bille, qui a été lancée avec suffisamment de force, arrive au niveau d'une encoche d'immobilisation temporaire, en fonction de sa vitesse, elle s'immobilise dans ladite encoche, ou bien éventuellement poursuit son chemin. La paroi amont de l'encoche étant abrupte, sa capacité de capture est équivalente à celle d'une encoche à profil symétrique de même profondeur. Lorsqu'une première bille. s'est immobilisée dans une encoche d'un couloir de guidage, il est possible de lancer une deuxième bille avec suffisamment de précision, pour qu'elle pénètre dans ce même couloir de guidage, et avec suffisamment de force, pour qu'elle vienne buter contre la première bille et la déloge de l'encoche où elle s'était immobilisée. La première bille, en quittant l'encoche sous l'effet de l'impact, reprend son chemin à l'intérieur du couloir de guidage, et la deuxième bille s'immobilise à son tour dans l'encoche, en prenant la place de la première bille. Etant donné que la paroi aval de l'encoche où s'est immobilisée la première bille est moins abrupte que la paroi amont, la première bille est plus facilement délogée que si elle avait été immobilisée dans une encoche à profil symétrique.When a ball, which has been thrown with sufficient force, arrives at a temporary immobilization notch, depending on its speed, it stops in said notch, or possibly continues on its way. The upstream wall of the notch being abrupt, its capture capacity is equivalent to that of a notch with a symmetrical profile of the same depth. When a first ball. is immobilized in a notch in a guide passage, it is possible to launch a second ball with sufficient precision, so that it enters this same guide passage, and with sufficient force, so that it comes hit the first ball and dislodges the notch where it had stopped. The first ball, leaving the notch under the effect of the impact, resumes its path inside the guide corridor, and the second ball in its turn stops in the notch, taking the place of the first ball. Since the downstream wall of the notch in which the first ball is immobilized is less steep than the upstream wall, the first ball is more easily dislodged than if it had been immobilized in a notch with a symmetrical profile.

De préférence, au moins un couloir de guidage du plateau de jeu est incliné en tout ou partie, en sorte de délimiter sur tout ou partie de sa longueur, un parcours ascendant pour la bille, au-delà de l'aire de lancement.Preferably, at least one guide corridor of the game board is inclined in whole or in part, so as to delimit over all or part of its length, an ascending path for the ball, beyond the launching area.

Lorsqu'une bille pénètre dans un couloir de guidage, comportant une encoche d'immobilisation temporaire, il peut arriver que celle-ci passe au-dessus d'une telle encoche sans être immobilisée, et continue son chemin jusqu'à épuisement de son énergie cinétique. Si le couloir de guidage est horizontal, la bille après épuisement de son énergie cinétique s'immobilise. En revanche si le couloir de guidage constitue une pente ascendante pour la bille, celle-ci après avoir épuisé toute son énergie cinétique dans la partie ascendante du couloir repart en sens inverse. Elle peut alors être immobilisée dans l'encoche, au-dessus de laquelle elle était passée précédemment. Ce blocage d'une bille descendante est d'autant plus efficace que l'encoche d'immobilisation temporaire possède un profil asymétrique avec une paroi amont plus abrupte.When a ball enters a guide corridor, having a temporary immobilization notch, it may happen that the latter passes over such a notch without being immobilized, and continues its path until its energy is exhausted kinetic. If the guide channel is horizontal, the ball after exhausting its kinetic energy stops. On the other hand, if the guide corridor constitutes an ascending slope for the ball, the latter after having exhausted all its kinetic energy in the ascending part of the corridor starts again in the opposite direction. It can then be immobilized in the notch, above which it had previously passed. This locking of a descending ball is all the more effective as the temporary immobilization notch has an asymmetrical profile with a steeper upstream wall.

Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, l'extrémité aval d'au moins un couloir de guidage, qui est opposée à l'aire de lancement, est fermée, et comporte une encoche d'immobilisation définitive.In a particular embodiment, the downstream end of at least one guide passage, which is opposite to the launching area, is closed, and includes a final immobilization notch.

Lorsqu'une bille atteint l'extrémité aval d'un tel couloir de guidage, elle vient buter contre celle-ci, et est bloquée dans l'encoche d'immobilisation temporaire. Ce blocage est définitif, car l'impact d'une bille suivante ne permet pas de déloger la bille immobilisée.When a ball reaches the downstream end of such a guide corridor, it abuts against it, and is locked in the temporary immobilization notch. This blocking is final, because the impact of a next ball does not dislodge the immobilized ball.

Avantageusement, l'extrémité amont d'un couloir de guidage qui est située dans le prolongement de l'aire de lancement, est évasée.Advantageously, the upstream end of a guide passage which is located in the extension of the launch area, is flared.

Ainsi, une bille qui arrive sur le plateau de jeu en provenance de l'aire de lancement, pénètre plus facilement dans un tel couloir de guidage.Thus, a ball which arrives on the game board from the launching area, penetrates more easily into such a guide corridor.

Le lancement des billes, sur l'aire de lancement en direction du plateau de jeu, peut être réalisé directement à la main. Cependant, le jeu d'intérieur selon l'invention comprend avantageusement des moyens de propulsion des billes sur l'aire de lancement, en direction du plateau de jeu.The launching of the balls, on the launching area in the direction of the game board, can be done directly by hand. However, the indoor game according to the invention advantageously comprises means for propelling the balls on the launching area, in the direction of the game board.

De préférence, ces moyens de propulsion sont constitués d'une pièce rectiligne, du type gouttière ou cylindre creux, qui est apte à servir de guide à une bille, et qui est inclinable en sorte qu'une bille puisse acquérir de l'énergie cinétique sous la seule action de son poids, en roulant dans ladite pièce.Preferably, these propulsion means consist of a straight piece, of the gutter type or hollow cylinder, which is capable of serving as a guide for a ball, and which is tiltable so that a ball can acquire kinetic energy under the sole action of its weight, by rolling in said part.

De préférence, l'aire de lancement comporte en outre sur tout ou partie de sa longueur, deux parois latérales amovibles, dont une extrémité jouxte le plateau de jeu, et qui empêchent les billes de quitter l'aire de lancement latéralement, c'est-à-dire transversalement à la direction de lancement des billes.Preferably, the launching area further comprises over all or part of its length, two removable side walls, one end of which adjoins the game board, and which prevent the balls from leaving the launching area laterally. that is to say transversely to the direction of launching of the balls.

Dans un mode de réalisation préféré de l'aire de lancement, celle-ci est constituée d'un tapis, dont la face supérieure en contact avec les billes est réalisée par flocage de fibres synthétiques.In a preferred embodiment of the launching area, the latter consists of a mat, the upper face of which in contact with the balls is produced by flocking of synthetic fibers.

Ce mode de réalisation permet d'obtenir une aire de lancement, à la surface de laquelle les billes subissent des forces de frottement optimales, c'est à dire telles que les billes ne glissent pas mais roulent sur le tapis en étant très peu freinées.This embodiment makes it possible to obtain a launching area, at the surface of which the balls undergo optimal friction forces, that is to say such that the balls do not slip but roll on the carpet being very little braked.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation du plateau de jeu, celui-ci est un bloc, dans lequel sont creusés plusieurs couloirs de guidage, qui délimitent pour les billes des parcours ayant des formes et des longueurs différentes.In a preferred embodiment of the game board, it is a block, in which are hollowed out several guide lanes, which delimit for the balls courses having different shapes and lengths.

Avantageusement, et en particulier s'agissant du mode préféré de réalisation du plateau de jeu, celui-ci est un bloc en plastique mis en forme, par thermoformage ou par moulage par injection.Advantageously, and in particular with regard to the preferred embodiment of the game board, it is a shaped plastic block, by thermoforming or by injection molding.

La technique de thermoformage est bien adaptée pour la réalisation de petites séries, alors que le moulage par injection s'impose pour des grandes séries, en raison de son coût plus élevé.The thermoforming technique is well suited for the production of small series, while injection molding is essential for large series, because of its higher cost.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront de la description suivante d'un mode particulier de réalisation du jeu d'intérieur avec billes, donnée en référence au dessin annexé sur lequel :

  • - la figure 1 est une vue de dessus du jeu d'intérieur,
  • - la figure 2 est une vue de côté du jeu d'intérieur,
  • - la figure 3 représente le profil asymétrique d'une encoche d'immobilisation temporaire,
  • - et la figure 4 représente le profil d'une encoche d'immobilisation définitive.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of a particular embodiment of the indoor game with balls, given with reference to the appended drawing in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a top view of the indoor game,
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the indoor game,
  • FIG. 3 represents the asymmetrical profile of a temporary immobilization notch,
  • - And Figure 4 shows the profile of a final immobilization notch.

Si l'on se réfère à la figure 1, le jeu d'intérieur 1 selon l'invention comprend plusieurs billes 2 de même diamètre, une aire de lancement 3, qui est constituée dans le cas présent par un tapis 14 horizontal et de forme rectangulaire, et un plateau de jeu 4, sensiblement carré, qui jouxte le tapis 14.Referring to Figure 1, the indoor game 1 according to the invention comprises several balls 2 of the same diameter, a launch area 3, which is constituted in this case by a mat 14 horizontal and shaped rectangular, and a game board 4, substantially square, which adjoins the mat 14.

Le plateau de jeu 4 est constitué d'un bloc 5, dans lequel ont été creusés six couloirs de guidage 6a, 6b 6c, 6d 6e, 6f, qui font office de rigoles pour les billes 2. La partie en creux du plateau de jeu 4 est représentée à la figure 1 par une surface 5a qui n'est pas hachurée, et qui est désignée dans la suite de la présente description comme étant la surface inférieure du plateau de jeu 4. Chaque couloir de guidage est constitué de deux parois latérales 9 et 10, et d'une paroi de fond qui correspond à la surface inférieure 5a du plateau de jeu 4. Comme cela apparaît à la figure 1, les couloirs de guidage 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f délimitent des parcours pour les billes 2, qui ont une forme courbe différente, et qui sont plus ou moins longs. Les parois latérales 9 et 10 délimitant un couloir de guidage sont parallèles, et ont une hauteur suffisante pour empêcher qu'une bille qui a pénétré dans ledit couloir, puisse ressortir latéralement, par exemple sous l'impact d'une autre bille. En pratique, ces parois 9 et 10 ont une hauteur qui équivaut au moins au rayon d'une bille 2. De même, l'espace entre deux parois latérales 9 et 10 d'un couloir de guidage est supérieur au diamètre d'une bille, mais inférieur au double de ce diamètre, en sorte que deux billes roulant dans un même couloir, sont nécessairement l'une derrière l'autre et ne peuvent se croiser sans s'entrechoquer.The game board 4 consists of a block 5, in which six guideways 6a, 6b 6c, 6d 6e, 6f have been dug, which act as channels for the balls 2. The hollow part of the game board 4 is represented in FIG. 1 by a surface 5a which is not hatched, and which is designated in the remainder of this description as being the lower surface of the game board 4. Each guide lane consists of two side walls 9 and 10, and a bottom wall which corresponds to the lower surface 5a of the game board 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide corridors 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f delimit paths for balls 2, which have a different curved shape, and which are more or less long. The side walls 9 and 10 delimiting a guide corridor are parallel, and have a height sufficient to prevent a ball which has entered said corridor, can come out laterally, for example under the impact of another ball. In practice, these walls 9 and 10 have a height which is at least equivalent to the radius of a ball 2. Similarly, the space between two lateral walls 9 and 10 of a guide passage is greater than the diameter of a ball , but less than twice this diameter, so that two balls rolling in the same lane, are necessarily one behind the other and cannot cross without colliding.

Le bord 5b de la surface inférieure 5a du plateau de jeu 4, et le bord 15 correspondant à une largeur du tapis 14 rectangulaire, sont contigus sans aucun espace les séparant. Ces deux bords 5b et 15 ayant la même longueur, la surface inférieure 5adu plateau de jeu 4 se trouve directement dans le prolongement du tapis 14. Par ailleurs, si l'on se reporte à la figure 2, il apparaît clairement que la face supérieure 14a du tapis destinée à être en contact avec les billes 2, est située au même niveau que la surface inférieure 5a du plateau de jeu 4, dans la zone de jonction du plateau de jeu et du tapis. Ainsi, une bille 2 roulant sur le tapis 14 en direction du plateau de jeu 4 ne rencontre aucun obstacle et n'est pas perturbée lors de son passage de la face supérieure 14a du tapis 14 à la surface inférieure 5a du plateau de jeu 4.The edge 5b of the lower surface 5a of the game board 4, and the edge 15 corresponding to a width of the rectangular mat 14, are contiguous without any space separating them. These two edges 5b and 15 having the same length, the lower surface 5adu game board 4 is located directly in the extension of the mat 14. Furthermore, if we refer to Figure 2, it clearly appears that the upper face 14a of the mat intended to be in contact with the balls 2, is situated at the same level as the lower surface 5a of the game board 4, in the junction area of the game board and the carpet. Thus, a ball 2 rolling on the mat 14 in the direction of the game board 4 encounters no obstacle and is not disturbed during its passage from the upper face 14a of the mat 14 to the lower surface 5a of the game board 4.

Le plateau de jeu et le tapis peuvent être indépendants l'un de l'autre. Cependant, il est préférable que le tapis 14 soit fixé au plateau de jeu. A cet effet, on peut utiliser une bande adhésive 17 collée sous le plateau de jeu 4 et le tapis 14, le long de leurs bords respectifs 5b et 15.The game board and the mat can be independent of each other. However, it is preferable that the mat 14 is fixed to the game board. For this purpose, an adhesive strip 17 can be used which is glued under the game board 4 and the mat 14, along their respective edges 5b and 15.

L'extrémité amont 7 de chaque couloir de guidage débouche dans le prolongement du tapis 14 à proximité de son bord 15. De plus, cette extrémité amont possède une forme évasée. Ainsi, une bille 2 roulant en provenance du tapis 14, peut en arrivant au niveau de la surface inférieure 5a du plateau de jeu, pénétrer facilement dans un des couloirs de guidage.The upstream end 7 of each guide passage opens into the extension of the belt 14 near its edge 15. In addition, this upstream end has a flared shape. Thus, a ball 2 rolling from the mat 14, can arriving at the lower surface 5a of the game board, easily penetrate into one of the guide corridors.

Les couloirs de guidage 6a, 6d et 6f présentent des encoches 12 d'immobilisation temporaire d'une bille 2. De plus, l'extrémité aval 8 de chaque couloir de guidage 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e 6f, est fermée par une paroi verticale 11 et comporte une encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13 d'une bille 2. Par ailleurs, les couloirs de guidage 6b, 6c, 6d et 6e sont inclinés sur toute leur longueur, en sorte de délimiter un parcours ascendant pour une bille 2 provenant du tapis 14. Il en est de même pour les couloirs de guidage 6a et 6f dans leur zone qui s'étend entre leur extrémité amont 7, et leur encoche 12 d'immobilisation temporaire située à proximité de leur extrémité aval 8. La partie 6'a du couloir de guidage 6a qui s'étend de ladite encoche 12, à l'extrémité aval 8, constitue une pente descendante. Ainsi une bille immobilisée dans ladite encoche 12, après avoir été délogée parune bille ascendante, peut sous la seule action de son poids atteindre l'encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13 du couloir de guidage 6a. Il en est de même pour le couloir de guidage 6f. L'inclinaison des couloirs de guidage a été représentée à la figure 1 par des flèches qui symbolisent le sens de parcours qu'a tendance à prendre une bille 2, sous la seule action de son poids.The guideways 6a, 6d and 6f have notches 12 for temporarily immobilizing a ball 2. In addition, the downstream end 8 of each guideway 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e 6f, is closed by a vertical wall 11 and has a final immobilization notch 13 of a ball 2. Furthermore, the guide corridors 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e are inclined over their entire length, so as to delimit an ascending path for a ball 2 coming from the mat 14. The same is true for the guide corridors 6a and 6f in their zone which extends between their upstream end 7, and their notch 12 for temporary immobilization if killed near their downstream end 8. Part 6'a of the guide passage 6a which extends from said notch 12, at the downstream end 8, constitutes a downward slope. Thus a ball immobilized in said notch 12, after having been dislodged by an ascending ball, can under the sole action of its weight reach the final immobilization notch 13 of the guide passage 6a. It is the same for the guide corridor 6f. The inclination of the guideways has been represented in FIG. 1 by arrows which symbolize the direction of travel that a ball 2 tends to take, under the sole action of its weight.

On a représenté à la figure 3 le profil d'une encoche 12 d'immobilisation temporaire d'une bille, située dans la partie ascendante d'un couloir de guidage. Le profil de cette encoche 12 est asymétrique, la paroi amont 12a_ de l'encoche étant plus abrupte que la paroi aval 12b. Lorsqu'une bille roule dans un couloir de guidage dans le sens de la flèche F, et arrive au niveau d'une telle encoche 12 avec une vitesse suffisamment faible, elle est immobilisée dans l'encoche 12. En revanche, si sa vitesse au niveau de l'encoche 12 est sufisamment grande, elle peut passer au-dessus de l'encoche et continuer son parcours dans le couloir de guidage. Dans ce cas, le couloir de guidage étant incliné en sorte de former un parcours ascendant pour la bille, celle-ci est freinée et perd de l'énergie cinétique. Si la bille après avoir perdu toute son énergie cinétique n'a pas atteint une encoche 12 d'immobilisation temporaire ou une encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13, elle repart en sens inverse sous l'action de son poids, en direction de l'encoche au-dessus de laquelle elle était passée, et s'y immobilise. On comprend aisément que la paroi amont 12a de l'encoche 12 étant abrupte, elle facilite le blocage d'une bille descendante. Il appartient à l'homme du métier de déterminer la longueur de la partie ascendante d'un couloir de guidage comprise entre deux encoches successives, ainsi que son angle d'inclinaison, en sorte qu'une bille située à un endroit quelconque de cette partie ascendante, sous l'action de son seul poids, ne puisse acquérir en descendant la pente, une énergie cinétique suffisante pour lui permettre de passer au-dessus d'une telle encoche 12.FIG. 3 shows the profile of a notch 12 for temporarily immobilizing a ball, located in the upward part of a guide passage. The profile of this notch 12 is asymmetrical, the upstream wall 12a of the notch being steeper than the downstream wall 12b. When a ball rolls in a guide passage in the direction of arrow F, and arrives at such a notch 12 with a sufficiently low speed, it is immobilized in the notch 12. On the other hand, if its speed at level of the notch 12 is sufficiently large, it can pass over the notch and continue its course in the guide corridor. In this case, the guide passage being inclined so as to form an ascending path for the ball, the latter is braked and loses kinetic energy. If the ball after having lost all its kinetic energy has not reached a notch 12 for temporary immobilization or a definitive immobilization notch 13, it starts again in the opposite direction under the action of its weight, in the direction of the notch above which it had passed, and immobilized there. It is easily understood that the upstream wall 12a of the notch 12 being abrupt, it facilitates the blocking of a descending ball. It is up to the person skilled in the art to determine the length of the ascending part of a guide passage between two successive notches, as well as its angle of inclination, so that a ball located at any point in this part ascending, under the action of its own weight, cannot acquire sufficient descending kinetic energy to allow it to pass over such a notch 12.

L'encoche 12, représentée à la figure 3, est suffisamment peu profonde, pour qu'une bille roulant dans le même couloir, puisse percuter une bille, immobilisée dans ladite encoche et représentée en pointillés. De plus, la paroi aval 12b de l'encoche 12 étant faiblement inclinée, la bille 2 qui est immobilisée peut facilement quitter l'encoche 12 sous l'impact d'une bille ascendante.The notch 12, shown in FIG. 3, is sufficiently shallow so that a ball rolling in the same lane can strike a ball, immobilized in said notch and shown in dotted lines. In addition, the downstream wall 12b of the notch 12 being slightly inclined, the ball 2 which is immobilized can easily leave the notch 12 under the impact of an ascending ball.

On a représenté à la figure 4 le profil de l'encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13 située à l'extrémité aval 8 du couloir de guidage 6c. Lorsqu'une bille arrive en bout de couloir, au niveau d'une telle encoche 13, elle percute la paroi verticale 11, qui ferme l'extrémité aval 8 du couloir de guidage, et s'immobilise définitivement dans ladite encoche. L'encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13 doit être suffisamment profonde, pour permettre la capture de toute bille venant percuter la paroi verticale 11.FIG. 4 shows the profile of the final immobilization notch 13 located at the downstream end 8 of the guide passage 6c. When a ball arrives at the end of the corridor, at the level of such a notch 13, it strikes the vertical wall 11, which closes the downstream end 8 of the guide passage, and comes to a permanent stop in said notch. The final immobilization notch 13 must be deep enough to allow the capture of any ball coming into the vertical wall 11.

Le bloc 5, constitutif du plateau de jeu 4 qui vient d'être décrit, est de préférence réalisé en plastique, selon la technique connue soit de moulage par injection, soit de thermoformage. L'utilisation d'un matériau plastique permet de réaliser un plateau de jeu qui est à la fois robuste et léger. Le moulage par injection, ou le thermoformage permet de fabriquer en série et avec fiabilité, des plateaux de jeux comportant plusieurs couloirs de guidage, ayant une forme et une longueur quelconques. Le mode préféré de réalisation du plateau de jeu 4 qui vient d'être décrit, a été donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif. Le plateau de jeu 4 peut en effet être constitué d'une surface plane et inclinée, surmontée par des parois latérales verticales délimitant les conduits de guidage. En outre, l'homme du métier peut concevoir un plateau de jeu dont l'inclinaison des couloirs de guidage est réglable, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention.The block 5, constituting the game board 4 which has just been described, is preferably made of plastic, according to the known technique either of injection molding, or of thermoforming. The use of a plastic material makes it possible to make a game board which is both robust and light. Injection molding, or thermoforming, makes it possible to manufacture in series and with reliability, game boards comprising several guide lanes, having any shape and length. The preferred embodiment of the game board 4 which has just been described has been given by way of non-limiting example. The game board 4 can in fact consist of a flat and inclined surface, surmounted by vertical side walls delimiting the guide conduits. In addition, a person skilled in the art can design a game board, the inclination of the guideways of which is adjustable, without however departing from the scope of the invention.

Selon un mode préféré de réalisation du tapis 14, constituant l'aire de lancement 3, la face supérieure 14a de celui-ci est réalisée par flocage de fibres synthétiques, sur un support souple 14b. Cette technique, par ailleurs bien connue de l'homme du métier, permet d'obtenir une surface sur laquelle les billes peuvent rouler, tout en subissant des forces de frottement minimales. Dans l'exemple précis qui vient d'être décrit, la face supérieure 14a du tapis 14, est plane et horizontale. On peut cependant envisager, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention, une face supérieure plane présentant une inclinaison, ou une face supérieure courbe.According to a preferred embodiment of the mat 14, constituting the launching area 3, the upper face 14a thereof is produced by flocking of synthetic fibers, on a flexible support 14b. This technique, moreover well known to those skilled in the art, makes it possible to obtain a surface on which the balls can roll, while undergoing minimal friction forces. In the specific example which has just been described, the upper face 14a of the mat 14 is flat and horizontal. It is however possible to envisage, without departing from the scope of the invention, a flat upper face having an inclination, or a curved upper face.

Si l'on se réfère à la figure 1, le jeu d'intérieur 1 comporte également deux barres identiques 18a, 18b, dont la longueur est inférieure à la longueur du tapis 14. Ces deux barres reposent longitudinalement sur la face supérieure 14a du tapis, le long des bords latéraux de celui-ci, et jouxtent le bord 5b du plateau de jeu 4. Leurs parois respectives 19a, 19b, font office de remparts aux billes qui ont été lancées, afin d'éviter que celles-ci ne quittent l'aire de lancement 3 latéralement, c'est-à-dire dans une direction transversale à la longueur du tapis 14. Les billes ont tendance à quitter latéralement l'aire de lancement 3, après un choc avec une autre bille qui s'est produit au niveau du tapis, ou après être ressorties d'un couloir de guidage incliné. Les sorties latérales des billes sont donc plus fréquentes à proximité du plateau de jeu 4. C'est pourquoi il est préférable que les barres 18a, 18b jouxtent le plateau de jeu 4. En outre, leur poids doit être suffisant pour qu'elles ne se déplacent pas sous l'impact d'une bille.Referring to Figure 1, the indoor game 1 also includes two identical bars 18a, 18b, the length of which is less than the length of the carpet 14. These two bars rest longitudinally on the upper face 14a of the carpet , along the lateral edges of the latter, and adjoin the edge 5b of the game board 4. Their respective walls 19a, 19b, act as ramparts for the balls which have been launched, in order to prevent them from leaving the launch pad 3 laterally, that is to say in a direction transverse to the length of the mat 14. The balls tend to leave the launch pad 3 laterally, after an impact with another ball which is is produced at the level of the belt, or after having left an inclined guide corridor. The lateral exits of the balls are therefore more frequent near the game board 4. This is why it is preferable that the bars 18a, 18b adjoin the game board 4. In addition, their weight must be sufficient so that they do not not move under the impact of a ball.

Si l'on se réfère à la figure 2, le jeu d'intérieur 1 selon l'invention comporte également un cylindre 16 creux, dont la cavité intérieure 16a a une section supérieure au diamètre d'une bille 2. Ce cylindre 16 est utilisé pour propulser une bille 2 à la surface du tapis 14, en direction du plateau de jeu 4. Pour cela, il suffit de maintenir le tube creux incliné par rapport à la face supérieure 14a du tapis, le cylindre creux n'étant pas en contact avec ladite face supérieure, puis d'introduire une bille 2 dans le cylindre 16 creux, par l'orifice supérieur 16_b de la cavité intérieure 16a. On comprend aisément que l'énergie cinétique, que la bille a acquise au moment où elle touche la face supérieure 14a du tapis 14, est fonction d'une part de l'angle d'inclinaison a entre le cylindre 16 et ladite surface supérieure, et d'autre part de la hauteur h à laquelle est située l'extrémité inférieure 16c du cylindre 16, par laquelle la bille est évacuée. A la place du cylindre creux, on peut également utiliser une gouttière ayant un profil courbe ou en équerre.Referring to FIG. 2, the interior set 1 according to the invention also comprises a hollow cylinder 16, the interior cavity 16a of which has a cross section smaller than the diameter of a ball 2. This cylinder 16 is used to propel a ball 2 on the surface of the mat 14, in the direction of the game board 4. To do this, it suffices to keep the hollow tube inclined relative to the face upper 14a of the mat, the hollow cylinder not being in contact with said upper face, then introducing a ball 2 into the hollow cylinder 16, through the upper orifice 16_b of the interior cavity 16a. It is easy to understand that the kinetic energy that the ball has acquired when it touches the upper face 14a of the mat 14 is a function of the angle of inclination a between the cylinder 16 and said upper surface, and on the other hand the height h at which the lower end 16c of the cylinder 16 is located, by which the ball is discharged. Instead of the hollow cylinder, it is also possible to use a gutter having a curved or angled profile.

Un des buts que peut se fixer un joueur utilisant le jeu d'intérieur avec billes selon l'invention, est de lancer ses billes en direction du plateau de jeu, en sorte qu'un maximum d'entre-elles se trouvent immobilisées dans les encoches d'immobilisation temporaire 12 ou définitive 13. On peut par exemple attribuer un nombre de points parencoche qui est proportionnel à la difficulté que le joueur doit surmonter pour que sa bille atteigne l'encoche.One of the goals that a player can set for himself using the indoor game with balls according to the invention, is to throw his balls towards the game board, so that a maximum of them are immobilized in the temporary immobilization notches 12 or permanent immobilization 13. One can for example allot a number of notch points which is proportional to the difficulty which the player must overcome so that his ball reaches the notch.

Lorsqu'un joueur lance une bille sur le tapis en direction du plateau de jeu, celle-ci peut ne pas pénétrer dans un des couloirs de guidage, et s'immobiliser au niveau de la face supérieure 14a du tapis 14, ou de la surface inférieure 5adu plateau de jeu. Dans ce cas, le joueur doit lancer une deuxième bille en direction de la première bille, en sorte que la première bille, éventuellement la deuxième bille, pénètrent dans un couloir de guidage sous l'effet de l'impact.When a player throws a ball on the carpet in the direction of the game board, it may not enter one of the guide lanes, and stop at the upper face 14a of the carpet 14, or the surface lower 5adu game board. In this case, the player must throw a second ball in the direction of the first ball, so that the first ball, possibly the second ball, enter a guideway under the effect of impact .

Lorsqu'une première bille pénètre dans un couloir de guidage, plusieurs cas peuvent se présenter.When a first ball enters a guideway, several cases can arise.

Si le couloir de guidage est du type du couloir 6c, c'est-à-dire présentant une unique encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13, soit la première bille a été lancée avec suffisamment de force pour atteindre ladite encoche, et s'y immobiliser définitivement, soit elle épuise toute son énergie cinétique dans la partie ascendante du couloir 6c, et repart en sens inverse sous l'action de son poids, pour ressortir du couloir de guidage, en direction du tapis 14.If the guide lane is of the type of lane 6c, that is to say having a single final immobilization notch 13, or the first ball has been launched with sufficient force to reach said notch, and to immobilize therein definitively, either it exhausts all its kinetic energy in the ascending part of the corridor 6c, and starts again in the opposite direction under the action of its weight, to come out of the guide corridor, in the direction of the belt 14.

Si la première bille a pénétré dans un couloir de guidage du type du couloir 6d, c'est-à-dire présentant une encoche d'immobilisation définitive 13 et plusieurs encoches 12 d'immobilisation temporaire, en fonction de son énergie cinétique, la première bille peut soit atteindre directement l'encoche d'immobilisation défintive 13, soit s'arrêter dans l'une des encoches 12 d'immobilisation temporaire lors de son mouvement ascendant, ou éventuellement lors d'un mouvement descendant, soit ne pas parvenir jusqu'à l'encoche la plus proche de l'extrémité amont 7 du couloir de guidage, et ressortir dudit couloir en direction du tapis 14.If the first ball has entered a guide corridor of the type of corridor 6d, that is to say having a final immobilization notch 13 and several notches 12 for temporary immobilization, depending on its kinetic energy, the first ball can either directly reach the definitive immobilization notch 13, or stop in one of the temporary immobilization notches 12 during its upward movement, or possibly during a downward movement, or not reach until at the notch closest to the upstream end 7 of the guide passage, and out of said passage in the direction of the belt 14.

Lorsqu'une première bille est immobilisée dans une encoche 12 d'immobilisation temporaire, elle peut être délogée par une deuxième bille qui a pénétré derrière elle dans le même couloir de guidage. Sous l'effet de cet impact, la première bille délogée peut éventuellement acquérir suffisamment d'énergie cinétique pour atteindre l'encoche située juste après dans le couloir de guidage. La deuxième bille qui l'a délogée prend sa place dans l'encoche où elle était immobilisée.When a first ball is immobilized in a notch 12 for temporary immobilization, it can be dislodged by a second ball which has entered behind it in the same guide corridor. Under the effect of this impact, the first dislodged ball can possibly acquire enough kinetic energy to reach the notch located just after in the guide corridor. The second ball that dislodged it takes its place in the notch where it was immobilized.

Si la première bille n'a pas acquis, sous l'effet de l'impact avec la deuxième bille, une énergie cinétique suffisante pour atteindre l'encoche suivante, elle repart en sens inverse et vient buter contre la deuxième bille qui a pris sa place dans l'encoche, et qui la maintient à présent en position. Dans ce cas, lorsqu'une troisième bille pénètre dans le couloir de guidage, et vient buter contre la deuxième bille, l'énergie résultant du choc est communiquée à la première bille qui reprend son chemin dans le couloir de guidage : la deuxième bille reste en place dans l'encoche ; la troisième bille ayant épuisé toute son énergie cinétique lors du choc, repart en sens inverse.If the first ball has not acquired, under the effect of the impact with the second ball, sufficient kinetic energy to reach the next notch, it starts again in the opposite direction and abuts against the second ball which has taken its place in the notch, and which now holds it in position. In this case, when a third ball enters the guide lane, and abuts against the second ball, the energy resulting from the impact is communicated to the first ball which resumes its path in the guide lane: the second ball remains in place in the notch; the third ball having exhausted all of its kinetic energy during the impact, departs in the opposite direction.

Compte-tenu des différentes situations qui viennent d'être détaillées, on comprend aisément que chaque bille qui a pénétré dans le couloir de guidage peut y progresser de manière à atteindre les différentes encoches successives, sous l'impact des billes qui la suivent dans ce même couloir de guidage.Given the different situations which have just been detailed, it is easily understood that each ball which has entered the guideway can progress therein so as to reach the different successive notches, under the impact of the balls which follow it in this same guideway.

Pour que le jeu d'intérieur soit utilisé par plusieurs joueurs simultanément, les billes 2 peuvent être de couleurs différentes, de telle manière qu'un joueur puisse facilement reconnaître les billes qui lui appartiennent. Par ailleurs, dans l'exemple de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit, toutes les billes ont une taille identique, ce qui facilite le dimensionnement des couloirs de guidage du plateau 4, de leur inclinaison, et de la taille ainsi que du profil des encoches. Cependant on peut également concevoir un jeu d'intérieur dans lequel les billes ont des tailles différentes.In order for the indoor game to be used by several players simultaneously, the balls 2 can be of different colors, so that a player can easily recognize the balls which belong to him. Furthermore, in the embodiment which has just been described, all the balls have an identical size, which facilitates the dimensioning of the guide corridors of the plate 4, of their inclination, and of the size as well as the profile of the notches. However, we can also design an indoor game in which the balls have different sizes.

Claims (10)

1. Jeu d'intérieur (1) avec billes (2) comportant une aire de lancement (3), et un plateau de jeu (4) muni d'au moins un couloir de guidage, qui débouche dans le prolongement de l'aire de lancement (3), et qui présente au moins une encoche (12) dite d'immobilisation temporaire, qui est apte à immobiliser une bille (2) provenant de l'aire de lancement (3), et roulant dans le couloir de guidage caractérisé en ce qu'une encoche (12) d'immobilisation temporaire possède un profil asymétrique avec une paroi amont (12a) qui est plus abrupte que la paroi aval (12b), afin de faciliter la capture d'une bille (2) tout en permettant à une bille capturée d'être facilement délogée.1. Indoor game (1) with balls (2) comprising a launching area (3), and a game board (4) provided with at least one guide corridor, which opens into the extension of the area launch (3), and which has at least one notch (12) called temporary immobilization, which is capable of immobilizing a ball (2) coming from the launch area (3), and rolling in the guide lane characterized in that a notch (12) for temporary immobilization has an asymmetrical profile with an upstream wall (12a) which is steeper than the downstream wall (12b), in order to facilitate the capture of a ball (2) while by allowing a ball caught being easily dislodged. 2. Jeu d'intérieur selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce qu'au moins un couloir de guidage du plateau de jeu (4) est incliné en tout ou partie, en sorte de délimiter sur tout ou partie de sa longueur, un parcours ascendant pour la bille, au-delà de l'aire de lancement (3).2. Indoor game according to claim 1 characterized in that at least one guide corridor of the game board (4) is inclined in whole or in part, so as to delimit over all or part of its length, an ascending course for the ball, beyond the launch area (3). 3. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2 caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité aval (8) d'un couloir de guidage qui est opposée à l'aire de lancement (3) est fermée, et comporte une encoche d'immobilisation définitive (13).3. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the downstream end (8) of a guide passage which is opposite to the launching area (3) is closed, and comprises a final immobilization notch (13). 4. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1à 3 caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité amont (7) d'un couloir de guidage, qui est située dans le prolongement de l'aire de lancement (3), est évasée.4. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the upstream end (7) of a guide corridor, which is located in the extension of the launch area (3), is flared. 5. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1à 4 caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre des moyens de propulsion des billes (2) sur l'aire de lancement (3), en direction du plateau de jeu (4).5. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it further comprises means for propelling the balls (2) on the launching area (3), in the direction of the game board ( 4). 6. Jeu d'intérieur selon la revendication 5 caractérisé en ce que les moyens de propulsion sont constitués d'une pièce rectiligne, du type gouttière ou cylindre creux, qui est apte à servir de guide à une bille, et qui est inclinable en sorte qu'une bille puisse acquérir de l'énergie cinétique sous la seule action de son poids, en roulant dans ladite pièce.6. Indoor game according to claim 5 characterized in that the propulsion means consist of a rectilinear piece, of the gutter or hollow cylinder type, which is capable of serving as a guide for a ball, and which is tiltable so that a ball can acquire kinetic energy under the sole action of its weight, by rolling in said part. 7. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1à 6 caractérisé en ce que l'aire de lancement (3) comprend en outre sur tout ou partie de sa largeur, deux parois latérales (19a, 19b) amovibles, dont une extrémité jouxte le plateau de jeu, et qui empêchent les billes de quitter l'aire de lancement (3) latéralement.7. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the launching area (3) further comprises over all or part of its width, two side walls (19a, 19b) removable, one of which end adjoins the game board, and which prevent the balls from leaving the launch area (3) laterally. 8. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1à 7, caractérisé en ce que l'aire de lancement (3) est constituée d'un tapis (14), dant la face supérieure (14a) en contact avec les billes (2) est réalisée par flocage de fibres synthétiques.8. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the launching area (3) consists of a mat (14), dant the upper face (14a) in contact with the balls (2) is made by flocking synthetic fibers. 9. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8 caractérisé en ce que le plateau de jeu (4) est constitué d'un bloc (5), dans lequel sont creusés plusieurs couloirs de guidage, qui délimitent pour les billes des parcours ayant des formes et des longueurs différentes.9. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the game board (4) consists of a block (5), in which are hollowed out several guide corridors, which delimit for the course balls with different shapes and lengths. 10. Jeu d'intérieur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 caractérisé en ce que le plateau de jeu est un bloc de plastique mis en forme, par thermoformage ou par moulage par injection.10. Indoor game according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the game board is a shaped plastic block, by thermoforming or by injection molding.
EP19930401862 1992-07-21 1993-07-20 Indoor marble game Expired - Lifetime EP0580492B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9209313 1992-07-21
FR9209313A FR2693915B1 (en) 1992-07-21 1992-07-21 Indoor game with marbles.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0580492A1 true EP0580492A1 (en) 1994-01-26
EP0580492B1 EP0580492B1 (en) 1996-06-05

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ID=9432350

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19930401862 Expired - Lifetime EP0580492B1 (en) 1992-07-21 1993-07-20 Indoor marble game

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EP (1) EP0580492B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE138820T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69302967T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2693915B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2549726A (en) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-01 Arthur Goulding James Chute and underarm bowling system

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR445243A (en) * 1912-06-20 1912-11-06 Julius Schiwek Billiard table for ball game
FR539421A (en) * 1921-08-16 1922-06-26 Skill game applicable on a pool table
FR561131A (en) * 1923-01-17 1923-10-16 New skill game
US1540343A (en) * 1923-09-26 1925-06-02 Kohler Ernest Game
US1685076A (en) * 1920-04-19 1928-09-18 Milewski Marion Game
US2056985A (en) * 1934-04-04 1936-10-13 Louis H Smith Bowling table apparatus
DE1908110A1 (en) * 1969-02-19 1970-09-10 Ulrich Lodder Wave running game
GB2115707A (en) * 1982-03-02 1983-09-14 Yeatman Reed Mark Robert Apparatus for simulating ball games including snooker

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR445243A (en) * 1912-06-20 1912-11-06 Julius Schiwek Billiard table for ball game
US1685076A (en) * 1920-04-19 1928-09-18 Milewski Marion Game
FR539421A (en) * 1921-08-16 1922-06-26 Skill game applicable on a pool table
FR561131A (en) * 1923-01-17 1923-10-16 New skill game
US1540343A (en) * 1923-09-26 1925-06-02 Kohler Ernest Game
US2056985A (en) * 1934-04-04 1936-10-13 Louis H Smith Bowling table apparatus
DE1908110A1 (en) * 1969-02-19 1970-09-10 Ulrich Lodder Wave running game
GB2115707A (en) * 1982-03-02 1983-09-14 Yeatman Reed Mark Robert Apparatus for simulating ball games including snooker

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2549726A (en) * 2016-04-26 2017-11-01 Arthur Goulding James Chute and underarm bowling system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE138820T1 (en) 1996-06-15
FR2693915B1 (en) 1994-10-14
FR2693915A1 (en) 1994-01-28
DE69302967T2 (en) 1997-01-02
DE69302967D1 (en) 1996-07-11
EP0580492B1 (en) 1996-06-05

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