FR2507489A1 - SURFACE PROJECTILE GAME - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A SURFACE PROJECTILE GAME. THIS GAME INCLUDES AN INCLINED FIELD OF PLAY 14, A PROJECTILE 11 FROM THE SURFACE, FOR EXAMPLE A BALL, TARGETS 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 140, A PUNCHER 30 INTENDED TO PROPULSE THE PROJECTILE TOWARDS ANY ONE TARGETS, AND A GATE 40 WITH VARIABLE OPENING, PLACED BETWEEN TARGET 140 AND PUNCHER 30. THE OPENING OF GATE 40 IS MODIFIED ACCORDING TO THE TARGETS HIT BY THE PROJECTILE. FIELD OF APPLICATION: GAME WITH PROJECTILES MOVING ON A PLAYING SURFACE, FOR EXAMPLE ELECTRIC BILLIARDS, ETC.

Description

The invention relates to amusement game machines having a ball

and a playground, by

  electric billiard or other projection games

  surface tile, and it relates more particularly to an improved surface projectile game having a door with a variable opening position and a device

typing.

  One type of door device that can be used with the present invention is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 262,227, filed in the name of Roman Tojza under the title "Game Gate Device". One type of striker for use with the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 264,582, filed in the name of Donald E Hooker under the title "Game Ball Driving Assignment". The invention relates to a projectile game of

  surface which constitutes a new kind of amusement games.

is lying.

  In the embodiments shown, the projectile surface game according to the invention appears

  as including a field of play, a projectile of

  face, first and second targets, a striking device, a door having positions of variable opening which allows the passage of the projectile in all

  positions, a device intended to vary the

  opening of the door and a device for displaying

  score or mark of the game The field of play is pre-

  inclined downward The striking device or

  striker, when properly positioned,

  pulse the projectile towards the targets The door is preferably arranged between the firing pin and the first target.

  The device for varying the opening

  the door acts as a result of the actuation of the

  targets chosen by the projectile The targets are action-

  when the projectile strikes them with sufficient force

  In the embodiment shown, the opening of the door narrows under the effect of the actuation of a target and widens under the effect of the actuation of another target. control lever allows a player to move the striker laterally Lateral positioning of the striker made by the player determines the direction

  the rebound of the projectile when the latter enters into

  tact with the striker and is propelled by it.

  In the embodiment shown, the striker automatically propels the projectile towards the targets when said projectile comes into contact with the striker. Thus, the player's control of the game is based on a timely positioning of the striker. In a variant, the transverse movement ( propulsion) of the firing pin can

to be triggered by the player.

  The targets include devices for propelling the projectile to the striker when they

are operated.

  The device for propelling the projectile can act automatically and steadily, or else

  it can act conditionally, for example,

  marking of the game or part, and it can be effectively controlled, for example by a reel,

  or simply elastically, for example by a res-

  fate or an elastic element of return In addition, the dis-

  positive to propel the projectile can act with a uniform force each time it is actuated, or it can be designed so that the propulsion force varies depending on the brand of the game or the party to

  the moment of the actuation of the target.

  The game further comprises a third target, a device for adding points to a running total, under the effect of the actuation of the third target by the projectile, and a device for adding

  the cumulative total of the game brand under the influence of the

  the first target by the projectile.

  a fourth target and a device for subtracting points from the cumulative total under the effect of the actuation of this fourth target. A device for displaying the fourth target is also provided.

  total running total, separate from the game mark.

  The display devices may be seven-segment light emitting diodes, liquid crystals, vacuum fluorescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, incandescent lamps or other types of devices The total display device

  accumulated in progress can be erased under the influence of

  the first target in the course of the game.

  In the embodiment shown, the

  In addition, the game has an exit door that selectively opens

  a channel through which the projectile can leave the

  rolling game, depending on the brand of the game.

  Additional targets may be added, as well as corresponding devices to increase the score of the game, either by a fixed number of points, or by a number of points determined according to the current game, under the influence of the game. actuation of the corresponding target

by the projectile.

  In the embodiment shown, a control system constitutes all the devices that react to the actuation of the respective targets, and this system can be incorporated directly into a random logic, or, alternatively, into a set based on

  a central processing unit, depending on the cost, the

  trainings and other desired criteria.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of non-limiting example and in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a amusement machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is a partial front view of the game machine of Figure 1, showing the positions of the control lever;

  FIG. 3 is a top view of the amusement game.

  shown in Figures 1 and 2;

  FIG. 4 is a partial view, in perspective

  exploded, partially sectioned, of the playing field, showing in detail the cushioned rail and the exit door;

  FIG. 5 is an elevation, with sectional cut

  along the line 5-5 of Figure 4, showing the exit door and the cushioned rail of Figure 4; and FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram showing the interconnections of the control means, the targets,

  lights, doors and exit doors.

  FIG. 1 represents a amusement game machine according to the invention which comprises a box 10 enclosing a surface projectile 11 (for example a ball), a field of play 14, a mechanism 16 with a control lever, a chute 18 20, a door 40, exit doors 50, damped rails 60 and targets. Illuminated drawings 225 appear at the top of the playing field and give a visual indication of the brand possibilities during a game. of the

  drawings or signs 230 may be added, optionally

  At the top of the field of play, either in illuminated or passive form In the embodiment shown, a scoreboard 12 rises above the playing field and is arranged in such a way as to

  to be easily seen by the player.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the game of FIG. 1 and shows the control lever 16 in its extreme left position at 20, in its central position

  in 21 and in its extreme right-hand position in 22

  the control lever 16 causes a simultaneous movement

  the firing pin or percussion device, which allows the user to position the firing pin in order to intercept and propel the ball 11 to the top of the field of play, towards the targets (as shown

  in Figure 3) The player starts the game by introducing

  a piece, for example a piece of a franc, in

  the slot 17 of the chute 18 to pieces, then in action-

  a push-button switch 19 placed on the

  chute Once implemented, the switchgear

  Mande placed inside the fun game initializes

  the scoreboard 12, zero the score or the score

  that player and initializes and prepares, moreover, the

fun game for a party.

  Figure 3 is a top view of the amusement game shown in Figures 1 and 2 Lever 16

  order is placed at the front of the box 10

  rotation of the control lever 16 causes a

  coincident lateral movement of striker 30 in the direction

  the horizontal vector of the movement of the

  The striker 30 comprises a conductive convex element

  32 to propel the projectile 11 surface

  when properly positioned.

  Vexe driver 32 is mounted on an element which itself is mounted on a plate 36 moving laterally and simultaneously with the rotational movement of the control lever A conductive plate 34 is placed on the

  field of play, in front of the conductive convex element 32.

  When a conductive ball 11 comes into contact with the plate 34 and with the element 32, the latter is driven forward in order to propel the ball 11 upwards along the field of play, towards the targets.

  rails 60 forming cushioned bumpers are arranged laterally

  In order to maintain the ball in play, the doors 50 are placed close to the damped rails 60, between the sides of the box 10 and the rails.

  these 60 and the 50 output gates

  barriers preventing the projectile from coming out of the play area of the playing field, outside the

  Lateral of the conductive plate 34 and the striker 30.

  The rails 60 forming cushioned stops ensure a good

  damping of a surface projectile 11 (ball) striking them, in order to maintain the ball 11 in the active play zone (upper part) of the playing field The 50-out doors allow or prevent the passage of the ball selectively 11 by a suitably cleared opening, so that the ball 11 comes out of play (from the active play zone) through the opening presented by the door. In one embodiment, the exit door 50 is selectively opened by depending on the score or mark of the game The exit door 50 and the cushioned rail 60 will be described in more detail with regard to

Figures 4 and 5.

  A superior sign or drawing display device 225, having illuminated LEDs 220-223, displays the total of cumulative points that will be

  added to the player's score when the

  face will hit the target 140 Some of the separate 220223 LEDs are operated (illuminated) or extinguished by the actuation of targets 102 and 110

  the embodiment shown, a device for

  (not shown) adds points to the cumulative total

  and activates some, chosen, lights 220-

  223 to indicate the cumulative total as a result of the action

  102 in the illustrated embodiment, the indicator light 220 corresponds to

  2000 points accumulated; the indicator light 221 corresponds to

  5,000 accumulated points; the indicator light 222 cor-

  responds to 10,000 accumulated points; and the indicator light 223 corresponds to 20,000 points accumulated in the form

  illustrated embodiment, the actuation occurs when

  ball 11 strikes target 102 with sufficient force

  In addition, the control device subtracts points from the total accumulated and extinguished

  some, chosen, 220-223 LEDs to display

  the cumulative total present under the effect of the actuation

  from the target 110 through the ball 11 In the form of

  As shown in part above, actuation of the target 140 by the projectile is reduced to 2000 points when the target 110 is actuated.

  11 has the effect, on the control device, of addition

  cumulative and enlightened total to the game score of the user.

sateur.

  The door 40 can take open positions

  variable, and it is disposed on the field of play, between the target 140 and the striker 30, the door allowing the ball 11 to pass through the opening it presents

  in all its positions Targets 100 and 108 allow

  In the embodiment shown, the opening of the door 40 narrows as a result of the actuation of the target 100. , and it widens under the effect of the actuation of the target 108

  By the ball 11 Thus, the size of the pre-opening

  felt by the door 40 and by which the ball 11 can hit the target 140 and therefore actuate the target 140 and cause the addition of the cumulative total to the score of the game, is ordered according to the game in progress and it

  depends on the position the player gives to the ball 11.

  Each of the targets 100, 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 is

  actuated by the ball 11 when it hits it.

  Actuation of the targets 104 or 106 causes a progress

  number of points of the score (addition of points to the score of the game) and this progression may consist of a fixed number of points, or of a variable number

  number of points, the value of that number being established in

  Part of the game to the moment the target was hit The bouncing of the projectile on any of the activated targets may be either passive (elastic rebound) or active (electromechanically controlled), or can be selectively passive and active depending on the current game Lights 200-214 provide a visual display of some optional scoring, feature, and event options, and can be placed at the top end or in the playing field (as shown), or, alternatively, they may be placed on the playing field near its lower end (closer to the player) to be more easily seen in the illustrated embodiment. , each of the lights 200-209 lights up when an active rebound on a corresponding target (electromechanical return) or

to indicate a high score.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of the playing field 14, showing in detail the damped rail 60 and the associated structure, as well as the outlet door 50 and the associated structure. an angled flap

  rotatably mounted on an article rod 54

  culation of the flap, having a hook-shaped end and controlling the pivoting movement of the flap

  52 The pivoting of the elbow flap 52 prevents the

  of the ball 11 by the opening of the exit door 50 (when the latter is tilted) and allows

  the passage of the ball 11 by the exit gate 50 when

  that the bent flap is in its rest position (not tilted) A control arm 56 is connected to the hook-shaped end of the rod 54 and rotates the bent flap 52 simultaneously with the pivoting of the hook rod 54 under the action of the control arm 56 The angled flap 52 is mounted near a lateral bracket 58 which itself is mounted on a supporting pillar 57 which supports it. The rod 54 with a hook-shaped end passes through a hole 59 of the lateral bracket 58 and is then connected to the elbow flap 52 When they are visibly illuminated, the indicator lights 213 and 214 indicate that the corresponding exit door 50 is in the tilting (locking) position and, when they are not illuminated, they indicate that the corresponding exit door 50 is in the rest position (passage) The logical meaning of the illumination of the lights 213 and 214 can be reversed

  if this is desired, or altogether deleted.

  The cushioned rail 60 comprises a bar 62 aligned laterally across the field of play and mounted on an L-shaped spring support 64, made of spring metal or the like. Stems 66 and 68 constitute pivotal stops such as the projectile can bounce differently depending on the point of the bar 62 against which

the ball 11 surface hits.

  Figure 5 is a sectional elevation

  50 of the output gate 50 and the cushioned rail 60 of FIG. 4, along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. The control arm 56 descends from its point of articulation with the hook-shaped end rod 54. towards the

  playfield 14, which he crosses through an opening

  formed in the latter, and it is connected to a coil 74 placed below the field of play 14 The coil 74 is fixed to a bracket 72 itself fixed to the underside of the game field 14 by members 76 and 77 of mounting, for example rivets, screws, etc. The control device selectively actuates the coil 74 according to the course of the game and the score of the game, in order to raise the control arm 56 to thereby move the rod 54 to

  the top and rotate the elbow flap 52 to a posi-

  The de-excitation of the spool 74 has the effect of lowering the control arm 55 towards a rest position, thereby lowering the rod 54 and bringing the bent shutter 52 back. in its rest position in which it allows the passage of the ball 11 below

from him.

  The bar 62, made of rigid material, but having a high tensile strength, for example "nylon", metal or other, is mounted on the support 64 L by means of mounting members 63 The support 64 L is raised above the field of play and perpendicular thereto and crosses it downwardly through an opening in said play field 14 below which it is folded A mounting member 70, for example a rivet, a screw, a bolt, etc., attaches the L-shaped bracket 64 to the playing field 14 The L-shaped bracket 64 is made of a spring-loaded material, for example a spring-loaded metal, having a damped elastic response, so that the rebound of a ball 11 striking against the bar 62 is damped by the latter as well as by the support 64 L The rods

  66 and 68 constitute pivotal stops against

  which the bar 62 is pushed by the projectile 11 striking it. FIG. 6 shows the interconnections between the control device 300 and the targets 301, the indicator lights 302, the door 303 and the side doors 304. The indicator lights 302 of the illustrated embodiment comprise the indicators 200-214 and 220-223. and may include a smaller or larger number of LEDs. Targets 301 of the illustrated embodiment include targets 100, 102, 104, 106,

  108 and 110 and may include additional targets

  or not to understand some of the aforementioned

  The gate 303 of the embodiment

  includes the door 40 and the means used to

  The side doors 304 comprise the outlet doors 50, the associated elements 52, 54, 56, 57,

  58 and 59, the coil 74 and the associated members

  Control system 300 provides control and logical control of the entire operation of the game and may consist of a set of control functions.

  based on a central processing unit (microcalcula-

  other), or separate electronic circuits

  killing all the logical, command and

  The examples of

  can be used in the game

  according to the invention are described in US Pat.

  United States of America Nos. 4,093,232 and 4,198,051.

  It follows from the previous description that

  the features of the described embodiment

  of the invention engage the player using the game to

  surface jectile in a battle against the machine itself The automatic response of the striking mechanism to the ball and the automatic response of targets and deflectors under a force of propulsion that increases with the score of the game increase the difficulty opposite to the player and avoid, to a certain extent, the action of delaying or slowing the player by,

report to the party.

  With the automatic operation of the

  target mechanisms, the speed of the game becomes

  independent of the slowing or retarding factor

  which could otherwise be introduced by the player,

  and this forces the player to come to some

  tence and mastery of the machine to obtain a high score. It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the game described and represented without

depart from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

  1 surface projectile game, characterized in that it comprises a descending field of play (14), a surface projectile (11), first and second targets (140, 100), a striker (30) intended to propel the projectile towards one of the targets, a door (40) with variable opening positions, arranged between the first target   (140) and the firing pin and allowing the projectile to   in all its opening positions, means   intended to vary the opening of the door depending on   the activation of the second target by the projection   tile, and a device (12) for displaying the score Game.   2 set according to claim 1, characterized   in that it comprises a control (16) which can be   by a player and through which the latter can move the striker laterally, said striker, preferably, automatically propelling the projectile towards the targets when the projectile enters into contact with said striker.   3 set according to claim 1, characterized in that the first target comprises means for   propel the projectile to the striker, and preferably   in which the propulsion means, associated with the first target, act automatically when said first target is actuated by the projectile, or the   means of propulsion, associated with the first target,   take an elastic band, the means of propulsion   associated with the first target, include a provision   mechanically assisted and designed to force the projectile with force, or the propulsion means, associated with the first target, propel the projectile   under a force that varies according to the score of the game.   4 game according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a third target (104), means for adding points to a cumulative total under the effect of the actuation of the third target by the projectile, and means for adding the cumulative total of points to the score of the game, the latter preferably having a fourth target (110) and means for subtracting points from the cumulative total when the fourth   target is activated by the projectile.   5 game according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means (220-223) for displaying the total cumulative points in progress separately from the game score, said subtraction means reducing   preferably the cumulative total up to a base value   whether the fourth target is activated, or the game   taking at least one fifth target (104 or 106) and means for adding points to the score of the game   when this fifth target is activated by the projection   tile. 6 set according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sixth target (108) and in that the means for varying the opening comprise a device for narrowing the opening of the door (40) when the second target (100) is actuated by the projectile, and a device for expanding the opening of the door when the sixth target is actuated by the projectile, the striker further comprising, preferably,   a projectile striking element (30) which can be positioned   laterally under the action of the player in order to   jog the surface projectile at targets, automatically   when the surface projectile bears against the   striking and / or, where appropriate, play which may   in addition, a lateral door (50) for selectively opening a corridor through which the projectile can   get out of the game by rolling according to the score of the game.   7 Surface projectile play, characterized in that   what it involves a downward playing field (14), a   surface jectile (11), several individual targets   (100-110, 140), a control device for   perform an independent function for each target and   an element intended to perform a distinct function when   that the corresponding target is actuated by the projectile, a door (40) having variable opening positions,   intended to selectively modify the width of the opening   under the action of the control device, a striker (30) for propelling the projectile towards the targets, and   a display device (12) for indicating   the score reached by the player under the action of the positive order.   8 set according to one of claims 6 and 7,   characterized in that the targets comprise first, second and third targets and that the control device further comprises a device for narrowing the opening of the door (40) when the first target (100) is actuated by the projectile, a device for expanding the opening of the door when the second target (108) is actuated by the projectile, and a third device for adding points to the score of the game when the third target (104 or 106) is actuated by the projectile.   9 set according to claim 8, characterized   in that the third target is placed at the upper end   of the playing field, beyond the opening of the door and between the edges of the latter, or else that   means are provided for selectively establishing an opening   the projectile can come out of the game by   under the action of the control device, or in that some, selected, of said targets propel the   surface projectile under a force greater than   when the player's score exceeds a pre-   defined. Game according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises fourth and fifth targets and in that the control device comprises a fourth device for adding points to a cumulative total and comprising means for illuminating the field of play to indicate the cumulative total when the fourth   target is activated by the projectile, a fifth   Positive to subtract points from the cumulative total   when the fifth target (110) is actuated by the   jectile, and a device for adding the accumulated total   to the player's score when the third target is action-   projectile, or in that it comprises a sixth target, the control device further comprising a sixth device for adding a predefined number of points to the score of the user when the   sixth target is actuated by the projectile.