EP0615465A1

EP0615465A1 - Indoor game using skimming discs

Info

Publication number: EP0615465A1
Application number: EP93919390A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Robert C. Thompson
Original assignee: Monneret Jouets
Current assignee: Monneret Jouets
Priority date: 1992-08-17
Filing date: 1993-08-17
Publication date: 1994-09-21
Also published as: US5342050A; WO1994004233A1

Abstract

Jeu de table pour deux joueurs comprenant une surface (10), plate et lisse, un palet (16) rond, deux battes (15 et 15') rondes et deux buts (17 et 17'). Une baguette (2) borde la surface de jeu et empêche le palet de s'échapper de la surface de jeu. L'objectif de chaque joueur est de frapper le palet avec une batte pour l'envoyer dans le but de l'adversaire, tout en empêchant le palet de pénétrer dans son propre but. Le palet extrêmement léger, qui a un diamètre de 64 mm et une épaisseur de 1 mm, a une forme de cône inversé, très peu profond, dont la face (18) forme un angle de 0,3°. Lorsque le palet est frappé par une batte, l'air poussé contre la face inférieure du palet en forme de cône soulève le palet et le fait décoller de la surface du jeu, de telle sorte que le palet glisse sur un fin coussin d'air. Du fait que le palet se déplace sur la surface de jeu sans friction sur la surface, le palet peut conserver une vitesse très élevée, ce qui fait appel à la dextérité et à la capacité de réaction des joueurs lorsqu'ils essaient de frapper ou de bloquer le palet se déplaçant rapidement.Table game for two players comprising a surface (10), flat and smooth, a round puck (16), two round bats (15 and 15 ') and two goals (17 and 17'). A stick (2) borders the playing surface and prevents the puck from escaping the playing surface. The objective of each player is to hit the puck with a bat to send it into the opponent's goal, while preventing the puck from entering its own goal. The extremely light puck, which has a diameter of 64 mm and a thickness of 1 mm, has the shape of an inverted cone, very shallow, the face (18) of which forms an angle of 0.3 °. When the puck is struck by a bat, the air pushed against the underside of the cone-shaped puck lifts the puck up and off the playing surface, so that the puck slides over a thin cushion of air. . Because the puck moves on the playing surface without friction on the surface, the puck can maintain a very high speed, which calls on the dexterity and responsiveness of the players when trying to hit or kick. block the rapidly moving puck.

Description

FLOATING PALLET TABLE SET ON AIR CUSHION

Background

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to games in general and, in particular, table games having fast-moving game elements.

2. Prior art

Board games or table games with fast-moving game elements, such as table hockey, have long been popular. In general, in these games, both players must hit a flat disc or puck, using bats or elements used to hit the puck, on a sliding or playing surface. Each player aims to propel the puck for the purpose of the opponent and to prevent the puck from entering its own goal. Ideally, the puck should move at high speed once it has been hit, in order to appeal to the dexterity and reflexes of other players when they try to hit or intercept the puck. In addition, all the elements making up the game must be simple and economical.

Many board or table games, including mobile discs, have been designed before. US-C-3,913,918, in the name of Trachtman (1975) describes a multi-table table hockey game. The pucks are fully in contact with the table, which creates high resistance due to friction. As a result, the pucks slow down considerably as they move over the sliding or playing surface. Some games have been designed to maintain a high speed at the pucks by reducing or eliminating the friction between the puck and the table. Documents US-C-483 895, US-C-2 159 966 and US-C-4 000 900 describe games whose elements have a concave bottom face in order to minimize friction during sliding, and therefore minimize slowing down . In reality, the weight of the puck is simply redistributed over a much smaller area. As a result, the total friction remains the same, so that the deceleration is not reduced. Document US-C-4 283 054 describes play elements having multiple concavities on the bottom face, and a central point which slightly emerges from said bottom face of the play element from the sliding surface. During play, the play element provides some reduction in friction. However, significant friction is retained and causes a significant slowdown.

The only table game comprising a puck moving without friction relative to the sliding surface is described in document US-C-3,773,325. Air is drawn, by means of motorized means, through hundreds of small holes on the bottom face to completely lift the play element from the sliding surface. As a result, the playing element, after being struck by a player, does not slow down significantly as it moves across the table. Although effective, this system is bulky and expensive, since a blower and a complex set of tubes and holes are required to draw air through the bottom surface. Besides table and board games, fast-moving discs have also already been designed for use on other surfaces. US-C-4,463,954 describes a sliding element on a water surface comprising a bottom face of inverted frustoconical shape, allowing the projectile to slide smoothly on the surface of a body of water. Because the element Slippery, which weighs 62 to 168 grams, is dependent on the hydrodynamic elevation, it must remain in contact with water during its movement. It is not able to float on an air cushion without touching the water.

In conclusion, the games designed with fast-moving discs, previously designed, are not able to eliminate the friction between the disc and the sliding surface, or can only eliminate it with high costs.

Purpose and Benefits

Consequently, several objects and advantages of the invention reside in the fact of providing a board game comprising a fast-moving game element which calls upon the dexterity and the reflexes of the players, using a very fast-moving game element. on the sliding or playing surface, without being in contact with it during its movement, having goals receiving and stopping the playing elements, which can be folded up so that it can be transported and stored in a practical manner, and very simple and very economical design.

According to the invention, a hockey type table game is proposed, comprising a game table, for example rectangular, with a horizontal sliding or playing surface, and with two goals distant from each other and in opposite, each intended for the reception of a puck, at least one puck with a bottom face in contact with the sliding or playing surface, and at least two bats intended to strike the puck. According to the invention, the puck has a peripheral leading edge, in the form of a collar, generally inclined in overhang above a horizontal plane parallel to the general plane of said puck, and forming an angle between 0.1 and 10 °, and preferably between 0.1 and 3 °, with respect to said horizontal plane. The inclination of the leading edge in relation to the weight of the puck is such that the flat displacement of the latter on the sliding surface generates under the puck an air cushion insulating it without frictional contact of said sliding surface .

Other objects and advantages will emerge from a study of the following description and the appended drawings.

Drawing figures

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the puck table game on air cushion according to the invention.

Figure 2A is a top view of the puck in Figure 1. Figure 2B is a radial sectional view of the puck in Figure 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of another embodiment of the puck of FIG. 1.

Figure 3B is a radial sectional view of the puck of Figure 3A.

FIG. 4 is a view in radial section of another embodiment of the puck of FIG. 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the game of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the folded table.

Description

The board game shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6 generally includes:

a game table 10, presenting on the outside a horizontal surface 30 for playing or sliding, of generally rectangular shape, with two goals 17 and 17 ′ in fabric 20, distant from each other according to the length and opposite, each intended for reception in the manner of a puck 16

- At least one pallet with a bottom face 16a in contact with the sliding surface 30 - at least two batts 15 and 15 'intended to strike the puck, consisting of solid pins.

A raised edge 12, consisting of a rod is fixed to the table 10, along its entire perimeter, to hold the puck 16 inside the sliding or playing surface 30.

The horizontal sliding surface 30 corresponds to a smooth and glassy coating of the game plan, for example bearing inscriptions that are pleasant to look at, and / or of multiple colors. Table 10 is made up of two parts 11 and

11 ', interconnected at the lower face, by a flexible fabric hinge 27, glued on said lower face between the halves 11 and 11', all allowing two configurations of the table, namely a configuration unfolded according to the Figure 1 and a folded configuration according to Figure 6. In correspondence, the edges 12 along the length are interrupted, along 13 and 13 ', respectively at the junction points between the halves 11 and 11'. The puck 16 and the batts 15 and 15 ', described below, are arranged on the sliding surface 30 which is flat and smooth.

As shown in Figure 5, the goals 17 and 17 'are integral with the halves 11 and 11 *, and each consist of a flat plate 17 or 17', rectangular, fixed on the middle part of the raised edge 12, according to its width. Each plate 17 or 17 'is arranged substantially horizontally, above the game table 10, being slightly inclined upwards as shown in FIG. 5. The spacing of a plate 17 or 17' is sufficient, relative to to the horizontal sliding surface 30, for accommodate and block the puck 16 penetrating under said plate. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the raised edge 12 consists of an L-shaped plastic rod, the foot of which is directed outwards, and the height of which is substantially greater than the thickness of the puck. 16; in correspondence, the flat and rectangular plate 17, constituting each goal, is fixed inside the raised edge or rod 12, also an L-shape obtained in plastic material, the foot of which is fixed vertically on the rod 12, and has a relatively long lower leg, substantially horizontal, and inclined upward at its distal end. As also shown in Figure 5, the goal plate 17 is mounted on the raised edge or rod 12, so that the narrowest part of the gap between the plate 17 and the table 10 is slightly lower than the thickness of a puck 16 or 16 ', as described below, to obtain a blocking of the latter under the goal 17 when it engages under it.

The bats 15 and 15 ^• each consist of a solid pin, having a lower face in contact with the playing surface or sliding 30, of larger dimensions than those of the puck 16 or 16 ', and having a straight edge 15a or 15' a, higher than the overall height of the puck 16. These bats 15 and 15 'are used by two players respectively, to try to hit the puck 16, and send it for the purpose of the opponent 17 or 17', or to prevent the puck 16 from entering their own purposes. According to Figures 2A and 3A, 2B and 3B and 4, three different embodiments of a puck 16 according to the invention have been shown.

In general, the puck 16 has a peripheral leading edge, 18, 22 or 32, in the form of a collar, generally inclined in overhang above the horizontal plane parallel to the general plane of the said puck, horizontal plane being for example materialized by the game table 10 or the sliding surface 30. This leading edge makes an angle 19, or 24, or 32, between 0.1 and 10 °, and preferably between 0.1 and 3 °, with respect to the above-mentioned horizontal plane. The inclination of the leading edge 18, 22 or 32, in relation to the relatively light weight of the puck 16, is such that the flat displacement, and at high speed, of the latter, on the sliding surface 30, generates an air cushion under the puck insulating material without frictional contact on the sliding surface 30.

Generally, the puck 16 has the shape of a disc, and consists of a hollow wall 16c, substantially the same thickness over its entire surface. This puck is generally obtained in plastic material, with a small thickness, and is therefore particularly light.

According to the embodiment of Figures 2A and 3A, the underside 16a of the puck 16 is formed by the leading edge 18, on either side of a top 16b. More specifically, the lower face 16a has in section a generally flat conical shape, and the leading edge 18 of the puck is straight. As shown in FIG. 2B, the leading edge 18, at the faces of the cone, forms an angle 19 of 0.3 ° relative to the horizontal plane parallel to the puck. In accordance with the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lower face 16a has in section a general shallow shape, and has a peripheral leading edge 22, and a concave central part 21. The concave central part 21 extends over two thirds of the radius of the puck 16. The peripheral leading edge 22, in the form of an inverted and circumferential collar, extends from the edge of the concave central part 21, in the direction of the perimeter of the puck 16. The junction between the edge 22 and the central part 21 forms a groove 23. As shown in FIG. 3B, the edge 22 forms an angle 24 of 1 °. According to the embodiment of Figure 4, the underside of the puck 16 is formed by the leading edge 32, on either side of a top 16b. And the lower face 16a has in section a general shape in a shallow inverted arc. Consequently, the leading edge 32 of the puck 16 is convex. As shown in FIG. 4, the angle 26 formed between the leading edge 32 and the center of the disc is for example 0.6 °.

Whatever the embodiment chosen, when a sufficient initial horizontal speed is imparted to the puck 16, for example when it is struck by the edge 15a of the bat 15, the air pushed against the leading edge, for example 18, will lift the puck 16, which is very light, and will peel it off completely from the sloping sliding surface. Consequently, the puck 16 floats on the table 10, on a very thin air cushion, without touching said table. As all friction is eliminated between the table 10 and the puck 16, the latter can maintain a very high speed during its race, which then calls upon the dexterity and the reaction capacity of the players when they try to strike or to block the puck 16.

Of course other modes of execution can be envisaged. For example, the pucks 16, instead of being round, may have another shape, such as square, octagonal, etc. Likewise, the bats 15 and 15 ′ can have very different shapes, such as square, triangular, and oval, etc. And the table can be one piece, without being foldable.

Claims

claims

1. Table game of the hockey type, comprising a game table (10) with a horizontal sliding surface (30) with two goals (17, 17 ') distant from each other and facing each other , each intended for the reception of a puck (16), at least one puck with a bottom face (16a) in contact with the sliding surface, at least two bats (15, 15 ') intended to strike the puck, characterized in that the puck (16) has a peripheral leading edge (18, 22, 32), in the form of a collar, generally inclined overhanging above a horizontal plane parallel to the general plane of said puck, and making an angle (19, 24, 26) between 0.1 and 10 °, and preferably between 0.1 and 3 °, with respect to said horizontal plane, and the inclination of the leading edge (18, 22, 32) in relation to the weight of the puck (16) is such that the flat displacement of the latter on the sliding surface (30) generates under the puck an air cushion insulating without frictional contact of said sliding surface.

2. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower face (16a) of the puck is constituted by the leading edge (18, 32) on either side of a top (16b).

3. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower face (16a) has in section a generally conical flattened shape, and the leading edge (18) of the puck is straight.

4. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower face (16a) has in section a general shape in a shallow inverted arc, and the leading edge (32) of the puck is convex.

5. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower face (16a) has in section a general shape in shallow W, and has an edge (22) peripheral attack and a concave central part (21).

6. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the puck (16) has the shape of a disc.

7. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the puck (16) has a hollow wall (16c), substantially the same thickness over its entire surface.

8. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the bat (15, 15 ') consists of a solid pin, having a lower face in contact with the sliding surface (30), of larger dimensions than those of the puck, and having a straight edge (15a, 15'a), in particular higher than the puck (16).

9. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the game table (10 ') is associated with a raised edge

(12) along its perimeter, to maintain the puck (16) inside the sliding surface (30).

10. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that each goal (17n 17 ') comprises a flat plate (17) substantially horizontal, disposed above the game table (10), slightly inclined upward, sufficiently apart of the horizontal sliding surface (30) for housing and blocking the puck (16).

11. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal sliding surface (30) corresponds to a smooth and glassy coating of the game plane.

12. Pallet (16) with a lower face (16a) arranged for contact with a sliding surface (30), characterized in that it has a peripheral, shaped, leading edge (18, 22, 32) flange, generally inclined overhanging above a horizontal plane parallel to the general plane of said puck, and forming an angle (19, 24, 26) between 0.1 and 10 °, and preferably between 0.1 and 3 ° , with respect to said horizontal plane, and the inclination of the leading edge (18, 22, 32) in relation to the weight of the puck (16) is such that the flat displacement of the latter on the sliding surface (30) generates under the puck an air cushion insulating it without frictional contact of said sliding surface.