EP0860185B1 - Game for throwing balls on an inclined target - Google Patents

Abstract

The game has a target which is a flat inclined support (3). Its upper surface has rods (28,29) fixed to it to define circular cells (9,10) into which the balls (1) are thrown. The cells are in concentric circles (13,14,15) which are numbered. The length of the diameter of each cell is greater than the diameter of a ball. The height of the rods is nearly the diameter of a ball except for the central cell (10) where they are lower. The surface of the support can be covered by a layer of shock absorber material.

Description

The invention relates to a set of balls to launch, preferably ballasted, using a tilted target.

We know different games of throwing balls practiced with solid balls or with hollow balls (see for example US 2,873,975). These are mainly games outdoor for which the target is constituted by a small ball as in the game of pétanque or by a drawing on the ground.

These games are games of skill in shooting and point. They combine the pleasure of billiards and shooting on target.

There are also ball games throw and place in the cells of a target horizontal. This game implements mass balls in different materials that are rolled up to the target. The ball falls into the cell which stops its course.

In this game, the balls have only one horizontal component of speed and ride on a support formed by a plurality of recesses. So even if the direction is good, due to the address of the player, it is not at all guaranteed that the ball stops in the target cell. This game is therefore more of a game of chance than skill and therefore becomes less interesting. In addition, the size of the beads does not not give the player the characteristic ease of gesture of the thrown ball.

The object of the present invention is to confer to bowling games to launch several attractions additional. It requires a specific address for the precision of the impact, but also a dosage specific strength to develop, incidence of departure which will print the adapted trajectory and the speed of impact on the target. The game consists of provide the ball with sufficient cinematic effects to immobilize them in the lodges more central to the tilted target.

The game according to the invention can thus be qualified as a game of skill and chance allowing less dexterous people to win by chance.

It is characterized in that the target is a flat support which can be kept inclined having on one of its faces a plurality of stop structures each delimiting a receptacle for the balls in which they come to stay when their kinematic energy has reaches a limit such that bouncing stops or is insufficient to remove the ball from the stop structure into which she had fallen and what the structure of the central position is different from others allowing the ball either to get out of his dressing room more easily, or cross the planar support.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble en perspective de la cible inclinée dépourvue de boules ;
• la figure 2 est un vue en plan de la zone couverte par les loges ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de la partie centrale comprenant la loge centrale et les loges voisines ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective avec trois boules dont une au centre ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du jeu porté par sa poignée ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'une succession de loges à périmètre polygonal ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe d'un support plan alvéolé ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe de la variante à support plan traversant pour une pluralité de loges ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'une variante à support plan traversant uniquement pour la loge centrale ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective de l'arrière du support plan de la figure 9 montrant les tiges de maintien en inclinaison et la sacoche renfermant les boules et les tiges ;
• les figures 11, 12 et 13 sont des vues en coupe transversale de trois variantes de boules ;
• les figures 14 et 15 sont des vues simplifiées illustrant le jeu selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given by way of example and accompanied by the drawings which represent:

• Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the inclined target devoid of balls;
• Figure 2 is a plan view of the area covered by the boxes;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the central part comprising the central box and the neighboring boxes;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view with three balls, one in the center;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the game carried by its handle;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a succession of lodges with polygonal perimeter;
• Figure 7 is a sectional view of a honeycomb planar support;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view of the variant with planar support passing through for a plurality of boxes;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of a variant with planar support passing through only for the central compartment;
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rear of the planar support of Figure 9 showing the inclination holding rods and the bag containing the balls and rods;
• Figures 11, 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of three variants of balls;
• Figures 14 and 15 are simplified views illustrating the game according to the invention.

The ball game to launch according to the invention is consists of a plurality of balls such as 1 and a target 2 on which the balls are thrown by hand. It is a game of skill and chance as we will see below.

Target 2 is preferably tilted to improve its visibility and facilitate the reception of balls without excluding the horizontal position.

The balls are preferably ballasted for avoid repeated twists but without totally delete.

We will adopt for the target a plane support 3 smooth, or rough, or dimpled or provided with other relief or hollow structures. The planar support is not not necessarily with a flat and smooth upper surface. he may have a shock absorbing coating in various materials such as: foam, rubber or other or a flexible attached structure in which are formed of receptor cavities of the balls.

The planar support 3 is preferably maintained tilted by a support means for example a return support 4 articulated by a hinge 5 on the edge transverse upper 6 of the plane support 3. This return of support 4 may advantageously present a middle opening 7 serving as a handle for taking the game and transport by hand.

This support return 4 can be replaced by two crutches or end legs for example under the shape of cylindrical rods inclined at ends higher to fit or by rods or cleats inclined notches for example passing through the flat support or any other appropriate means.

Target 2 has on its upper face partition into a plurality of structures or stop conformations such as 8 in walls, fences, barriers or other perimeter protection delimiting locations for example in the form of boxes 9 or open and contiguous cells or cavities serving temporary receptacles for the balls. We distinguishes a central box 10 around which extend in concentric arrangement a certain number of other lodges whose number depends on the extent of the target.

The heights of stop structures or conformations 8 are preferably close to the diameter balls except for the central box 10 whose stop structures are of lower height allowing the ball to exit this central lodge with greater ease than neighboring lodges.

The boxes are delimited by a perimeter closed circular 11 or polygonal 12.

The central box 10 is assigned the number zero in the point count. This is the lodge the most important. The neighboring lodges form a first concentric crown 13. They are counted by the number one. The next crown 14 is composed of lodges of arithmetic weight equal to of them. The lodges of the crown still following 15 are counted each for three and so on (figure 2).

The variant shown has three concentric crowns. This number is not limitative.

The game consists in launching on target 2 the one after the other an identical number of balls for each player and make them stop in the boxes with the lowest arithmetic weight.

As we will understand, we must try to immobilize one of the balls in the central box 10 and the others in the immediately adjacent boxes 9.

The player with the fewest points has won. In addition, we determine at the start of the game the number of points to be eliminated.

At the address of targeting and doing preferentially immobilize the balls in the lodges in the central area (Figures 3 and 6) comes add the effect of chance linked to the faculty of more or less significant rebound of the ball in depending on its strike force, its speed, its incidence ...

In many cases, the ball arriving in a lodges spring of it by rebounding for come to a stop in a neighboring box. This effect of rebounding is difficult to control and is part of the appeal and charm of this game.

As indicated, the boxes 9 are delimited by stop structures 8 in the form of walls continuous or discontinuous fencing devices or by a succession of rigid point elements perpendicular to the plane of the target in rods, spikes 16 or others, present for example in a limited number places all around the perimeter of the base of each box. To make it more difficult to immobilize in the central compartment 10, the compartment stopping structure central is of lesser height, for example half from that of the neighboring lodges. So the immobilization of a ball in this box becomes exceptional in because of this rampart of low height which does not prevent that weakly the exit of the ball towards other lodges of lesser arithmetic weight.

The perimeter of the box funds is a figure simple geometric, a circle 11 or a polygon 12.

As already indicated, the lodges are of preferably contiguous in at least one area or in one point and placed in concentric arrangement by compared to the central box 10.

As an equivalent, target 2 can be consisting of a honeycomb bottom such as 17 formed of a plurality of open cells such as 18 for the reception of the balls.

Of course, boxes 9 and 10 and possibly the cells 18 have a width slightly larger than the diameter of the balls.

Regarding the balls, all balls with a low coefficient of twist agree.

As an example, we first represented a full ball 19 whose material makes it possible to obtain these characteristics. A second variant concerns hollow balls 20 having two half-shells flexible 21 and 22 made of plastic as is frequently found in trade. To use them as balls in the game of the invention, there is reason to ballast them in order to partially neutralize their rebounding ability. To do this, we fill the internal volume of a solid product preferably heavy, for example grainy: sand or other forming a mass 23. A simple and suitable way is to fill sachets 24 with this material, sand with example, in suitable volume, to open the balls, to place this mass inside and close again then seal the two half-shells 21 and 22 between them. This mass 23 forms a buffer limiting rebound (Figure 12).

We can also use composite balls such as 25 (figure 13) formed of two balls separate, one inside 26 and the other outside 27 housed in each other for example by nesting. A first inner ball 26 forms the nucleus and is for example partially filled with sand, or in the form of a full ball. The ball outer 27 constitutes a flexible envelope.

Of course, fully filled balls or massive such as 19 may also be suitable as long as they have the same limited rebound characteristics.

Regarding the demarcation of the lodges, the variant shown uses pins or rods 16. Just five rods or pins arranged in a circular perimeter 11 or in pentagon 12 to form a compartment 9 (figure 6). In this case, we can consider to use many common pins between boxes neighbors.

According to the variant shown, the rods or pins 28, 29 respectively the closest and the further from the center are also tall less increasing the possibilities of the ball escape from the most distant peripheral lodges disadvantaging all the awkward shots.

Of course, the walls or limits peripherals of the boxes can be made of different ways.

We can imagine real walls continuous, a succession of rods or spikes or a materialization of perimeters by wire or any other appropriate means.

As already indicated, we can achieve the target by a plurality of receiving cells 18 produced recessed in the plane support 3 of the target 2.

These cells are printed in the material by any suitable process: stamping, thermoforming Or other.

A mixed version is also possible: cells and pins or cells and projecting perimeter border.

Another variant of the invention relates to an inclined target 2 passing through for the balls 1 that the bottom of each box has a passage 30 crossing the thickness of the planar support of which the diameter is slightly larger than that of the ball (figure 8).

Each of the passages 30 opens onto the face rear of the flat support by an opening 31 to the right of which at least one moving part is mounted or flexible 32 for example of the probe type, establishing a contact for detecting the passage of the ball. he can be an electrical contact in a circuit electric detection. This detection can constitute the input stage of a counting module and points accounting. To this end, the current technology provides many circuits processing with display.

Regarding the means of detection, it can be pivoting legs, nipples, flexible blades or any other part or element appropriate likely to form, trigger or to activate a contact or to change state or any another detectable change in the passage of the ball.

We can also consider the use a passage or presence detector, a detector photoelectric or any other means.

Any means whose general function is detection of the passage of the ball can suit. We will then assign the coefficient specific to the position of the passage on the flat support 3.

The plane support 3 can then constitute the upper face 33 of a closed box 34 whose body serves as a storage container for the balls and the upper face 33 is the cover as shown in section in Figure 8.

Figures 9 and 10 show a additional variant proceeding from the same principle inventive and approaching the plan support version crossing above.

According to this variant only the central box is through because replaced by an opening circular central unit 35 of slightly larger diameter to that of balls 1. The latter falls to the ground or in a suitable receptacle separate or integrated into the plan support. This receptacle can take different known forms and therefore has not been shown.

Figure 10 shows the back of the flat support according to the previous variant. We notice the opening central 35 opening onto the rear side as well as removable rods 36 and 37 for maintaining the inclination and a flexible bag 38 for storage and transport balls and rods. These come engage each for example in a perforation 39 or 40 provided for this purpose in the upper part of the plan support 3. For the maintenance of these rods perpendicular to the plane of the plane support, we can realize as shown for example a body of form cylindrical with smaller diameter end on a part of its length or a narrowed tip coming commit each to close fit in the corresponding perforation. Regarding the other end, it can be cut at an angle to ensure good contact with the ground.

We also notice in this figure 10 a handle 41 attached to the upper side edge.

Claims (13)

1. Game of balls to be thrown (launched) at a target characterized in the fact that the target is a support inclined plan (3) presenting on one of its faces a plurality of structures or relief of stop (ruling) (8) bounding each a place of receptacle for balls. The balls find accommodation in the wholes (rooms) when its cinematic energy reached a limit such as the new developpement stops (arrests) or is insufficient to take out the ball by a new developpement, of the structure of stop in which it had fallen. Also, the structure of stop of the central receptacle is different in height than the other structures of stop, allowing the ball to take out more easily from the central receptacle than from the other structures of stop or to cross the support plan (3) by an opening.
2. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to demand 1, characterized in what the structures of stop (8) bound wholes (9) and a central whole (10) under the shape every time of a continuing or discontinuing border, of which the length of the diagonal is superior to the diameter of the balls, these wholes serving as temporary receptacle for balls.
3. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to demand 1, characterized in the fact that the height of the structures of stop (8) is lower than the diameter of the balls and in the fact that the height of the structures of stop of the central whole (10) is lower than the high of the structures of stop (8) of the nearby wholes (9).
4. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to the demand 1, characterized in the fact that the plan (target) is horizontal.
5. Game of balls to be thrown (launched) at a target, according to the demand 1, characterized in the fact that the support plan (3) of the target (2) is covered with a cover or with a shock absorber carpet.
6. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the demands 1- 4, characterized in the fact that the central whole (10) is surrounded with arranged peripheral wholes (9).
7. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the demands 1- 4, characterized in the fact that the wholes are alveoli in retreat with regard to the superior surface of the support plan of the target.
8. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the previous demands, characterized in the fact that the balls are hollow and ballasted by a mass placed inside.
9. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the demands 1- 7, characterized in the fact that the balls are massive.
10. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the demands 1- 7, characterized in the fact that the balls are formed by a internal ball forming a pit (core) and of a wrapping ball.
11. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the previous demands, characterized in the fact that the structures of stop (8) are formed by a succession of vertical elements placed on the perimeter bounding the wholes.
12. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the previous demands, characterized by the fact that the support plan (3) is crossing for the balls at the level of the central whole (10) and in at least one other whole (9), and in the fact that the passage of the ball activates a means of detection.
13. Game of balls to be thrown at a target, according to one of some of the previous demands, characterized by the fact that the support plan (3) is crossing for the balls at the level of the central whole (10).

Images