GB1565631A

GB1565631A - Apparatus for playing the game of boules

Info

Publication number: GB1565631A
Application number: GB7930/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: FURNON J
Current assignee: FURNON J
Priority date: 1977-02-28
Filing date: 1978-02-28
Publication date: 1980-04-23
Also published as: IT7820418A0; FR2381538A1; BE864369A; FR2381538B1; CH620366A5; ES243093U; ES243093Y; DE2808172A1; IT1113160B

Abstract

The apparatus, intended to be placed on the ground, distant from the player, comprises a reception area (R), on a part of the periphery of which are arranged protection means (28); on this area is arranged at least one target bowl (I) which can be displaced temporarily when it is struck, and the apparatus comprises means (8) returning the target bowl to the initial position. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR PLAYING THE GAME OF BOULES (71 ) I, JEAN FURNON, of Le Marco Paulo", 28 rue Albert Ier, 42000 Saint Etienne, Loire, France, of French nationapity, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to apparatus for playing the game of boules.

The playing of the game of boules makes special requirements as to the place where this can be done. In fact, a relatively large area is necessary. The player locates a boule to form a target at a set distance from the place from which the boules are thrown.

Whenever the target is touched or shaken by a boule it moves, sometimes a considerable distance, altering the conditions for aiming and sometimes requiring new targets to be put down. When the player has accordingly exhausted his stock of boules, he must collect them up. It is clear, further, that during the period in which the boules are thrown, the area where the target is located is particularly encumbered, since boules may be scattered over it. To obviate these disadvantages, the need has become apparent for an apparatus to be designed by means of which the game of boules can be played, allowing intensive application by the players, sparing them any unnecessary effort in having to fetch the boule thrown, requiring a very restricted useful surface, and being capable of utilisation in any locality.

The present invention provides apparatus for playing the game of boules, comprising: a receiving area having support means for mounting the receiving area on the ground; a hollow target boule located on the receiving area and displaceable against the action of resilient return means when struck by a standard boule thrown by a player standing in front of the receiving area, the resilient return means returning the target boule to its initial position after displacement; restraining means located at the lateral and rear sides of the receiving area in order to impede escape of a thrown boule from the receiving areas means for automatically returning the thrown boule to the player; and indicating means controlled by the displacement of the target boule.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. I is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the way in which apparatus for playing the game of boules is used; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus, on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the reception area on an enlarged scale, illustrating, in particular, the facility allowing the target boule to be displaced; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of Fig. 4, illustrating the target boule- Fig. 6 shows a roller guided along a race when the target boule is displaced; Fig. 7 shows a head on which the roller in Fig. 6 acts; Fig. 8 shows a variant of the rectangular cap;; Figs. 9 and 10 are partial views illustrating means whereby a boule-race back to the player can be achieved, Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of the reception area within the region of two supplementary devices intended to control the game; and Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 illustrate by way of diagrams another form of the apparatus which, in particular, enables the boules to be "aimed" while still maintaining the opportunity of "throwing".

The apparatus A, intended for practising the game of boules, is placed on the ground and has a receiving area R separated from the player by a variable distance D. At least one target I is located on the receiving area R and can move away temporarily when it is struck by a boule B thrown; restraining means in the form of nets are placed along the latitudinal sides R1, R2 and along the rear side R3 of the area R to impede escape of the boule B from the area.

The apparatus can be used simply in throwing or, in fact to reproduce the customary conditions of the game, enabling boules to be both "aimed" and "thrown".

A first embodiment of the apparatus, intended to allow the throwing of boules exelusively, it is placed on the ground so that the receiving area R defines an appreciably inclined plane. The open front side R4 of the receiving area R has a forward extension P in axial alignment, with its upper surface P1 inclined along the inclined plane of the reception area R. The extension P forms a bottleneck ejector to allow the automatic return of the boules B back to the player's feet by means of an inclined race C leading to a horizontal container T. The target I is located within the central section of the receiving area R and is in the form of a hollow boule 1 of the same type as those thrown.The apparatus is specially designed to allow play with the maximum of security and to avoid any projection or unintentional rebounding of boules away from the receiving area, and the nature of the materials that make it up ensures complete sound-proofing. The apparatus has a rectangular frame 2 made up of U-section members forming a peripheral groove 21, and at least one U-section member 22 across the centre of the frame.

Blocks of polyurethane foam 3 are laid in the groove 21. A thin intermediate floor 4 with a surface equal to the surface of the receiving area and supported on the blocks of foam 3 is then laid upon them. A homogeneous sheet 5, e.g. of foam, with a surface equal to the intermediate floor 4 is placed upon the latter. A layer of plastics 6 ensures that the whole is homogeneously covered. It must be stressed that this special design is not only extremely light but also, and in particular, acts as a shockabsorber for the boules as they hit the receiving area so formed. One or more sup plementary layers 7, of various colours, may advantageously be arranged at the points where the target or targets are located to allow the latter to be more easily seen.

The layer or Iayers 7 can easily be replaced in the event of wear and tear. An appreciably different receiving area can of course be designed by using polyurethane-tyDe plastics blocks or any other honeycomb structure allowing the shock of the boules thrown to be absorbed.

The bou1e 1 forming the target I has an opening 1 (Fig. 5) facing the receiving area, allowing free passage of a cable 8 whose end 81 is fixed to a pin 9 located inside and extending diametricallv of the target boule and riveted at its ends 91 and 92. The pin 9 lies parallel to the plane formed bv the opening It made in the boule. A sleeve 10, having a circular welded cap 11 passes through the thickness of the receiving area at its central point. As a variation, the cap may be rectangular (Fig. 8), this shape allowing the addition of a roller 47 facilitating displacement of the target boule. In that case, provision is made for the rectangular cap 46 to be placed in a rectangular opening whose longitudinal dimensions are appreciably greater.A shaft 48 is fitted transversely and abuts against two elements 49 and 50 located on either side of the opening. When a boule is thrown against the target, the cap bears down on the shaft and moves it backwards, return springs 51 being suitably fixed to ensure that it is brought back to its original position.

The cable 8 attached to the pin 9 riveted to the boule 1 is protected by a rubber ring 12 around the opening 11 of the boule 1.

The cable, which may be of any suitable material, such as nylon, passes lengthways through the sleeve 10 and is supported by a return pulley 13, whose mounting 14 is of a piece with the lower part of the frame.

The end 82 of the cable 8 is attached to a hook 15 fitted at the end of another cable 16, permanently attached to a running roller 17. The roller 17 moves along a guide 18 such as, for example, a U-profile. The guide 18 is fixed at one of its ends 18' to a plate 19, itself of a piece with the rear part of the frame, while the other end 182 is fixed beneath the frame. The roller 17 is elastically attached by a device 21 to an anchoring point 19l fitted, for example, to the plate 19, which is mounted on the rear part of the frame 2. The roller 17 therefore, through the effect of traction by the target boule 1 on the cable 8, moves beyond a ringing mechanism 20, when the target boule is struck by a thrown boule and is displaced more than a given distance, against the elastic force of the device 21.The motion of the target boule and the roller is indicated by arrows F. The ringing mechanism 20 consists of a bell 20l, mounted on the frame and a lever 202 which has a striker 202 at its side acting on the bell 20l and, at its other side, a tongue 204 pivoting upwards so as to allow free passage to the roller 17 as it moves towards the bell. It should first be noted, as shown in Fig. 4, that only the tongue 204 will be temporarily in contact with the roller 17. When the target boule 1 moves, it causes the roller 17 to move the same distance through the effects of the cable 8 and 16. As it moves, the roller 17 causes the tongue 204 to pivot upwards without the lever 202 being moved, the roller being then passing beyond the ringing mechanism 20. When the displacement of the target has reached a maximum, the elastic device 21 will return the roller 17 in the direction F', which roller will again enter into contact with the tongue 204, which, now resting on the lever, will cause the lever to rock. When the roller loses contact with the tongue the lever will swing back, so causing the striker 203 to ring the bell 201. The returning of the roller 17 by the elastic device 21 necessarily returns the tart boule 1 to its initial position.

fin the event of the apparatus being used for a group game, rules and a system of points might be laid down relating to the displacement of the target across the receiving area For example, if the movement of the target does not cause the corresponding movement of the roller 17 to sound the bell, the player can be allotted a given number of points. If the bell sounds due to the target being moved farther, the number of points will be different. An even higher number of points can be allotted if the bauble thrown by the player hits the target "spot-on". The target when returning to its initial position will strike the boule thrown, which remains in the central section, in such a way that the latter boule is then directed between two guide-marks.

This rule is mentioned purely as an indication. Devices 22 with mushroom-like partspherical heads (Fig. 11) are located on the receiving area R between the target boule 1 and the extension P (Fig. 2). They may, for example, form the guide-marks referred to above. Inside each head is a riveted shaft 23 to which an elastic cable 24 is attached.

The latter passes through a sleeve 25 fitted within the thickness of the receiving area and is fixed to a winding device 26, whose mounting 27 is of a piece with the lower part of the frame. As a result of this ar rangement, if one of the heads is struck by a boule thrown, it will move away slightly and then return to its initial position without the device being adversely affected.

The apparatus also includes a net holder 28 comprising sections 281, 282, 283 linked by hinges and fitted wholly or partly to the lateral sides and to the rear side of the reception area. The net holder 28 is temporarily fixed by slotting its legs into rings 29 welded directly on to the external facing of the frame. The net holder can be made of any elastic plastics material, particularly of intertwined wires, thereby securely ensur ing erbsorption of the shock of the boules.

The apparatus is also provided with telescopic feet 30 arranged at the four corners of the receiving area. By appropriately setting the height of the feet two by two, the receiving area can be inclined in the player's direction. The height of the rear section of the reception area may be in the order of 30 to 35 cm, above the front section for example. Such an incline is needed to allow the boules to return to the player, bearing in mind the softness of the surface of the receiving area. The extension P along aii inclined plane is fixed to the receiving area by any known means. Guide bars 31 are fitted along its lateral edges. They are held temporarily, their legs being fitted in rings 32 welded to the lateral facing of the extension. They are further protected on the inside by rubber or plastics material to avoid any noise.The extension may also have telescopic feet to form an adjusted incline. The race C consists of several sections C1, C2, C3, fitting into each other at their ends; these sections are variable in numer, according to the desired length of throw. If the reception area is more than 1 m wide by 1-50 m Iong, the extension P being 1 m in length, the length of the sections of the race C can be I'50 m. Each of these sections can be dismantled for packaging in dimensions corresponding to the receiving area.

The ends of the two successive sections Cl and C2 of the race nest into each other; according to one embodiment, the one element C2 has cramps C22 at its end C21 cut away sufficiently to engage with the next section. Each of the cramps C23 has a Ushaped opening to fit around a threaded shank 33 mounted on the end of the next section Cl, e.g. a pin with wings 34, to enable temporary fixing. Each of the race sections may or may not have an adjustable set of legs to form a regular incline down from the extension P. The last section of the race may be left without any legs so as to lie directly on the floor so that the boule comes to the end of its run through loss of its own momentum near to the player.

Each section of the race consists of a rail 35 and two lateral guide bars 36 and 37, the whole being conveniently braced.

According to another embodiment, not illustrated, the race consists of a rail of moulded plastic.

In a variant form, as shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, each section is U-shaped across, the wings being slightly inclined; an extension at the end of one section forming a tongue engages with the following section by clipping or otherwise.

According to a variation of the design, the apparatus intended for the game of boules enables the boules to be "aimed" and "thrown". The apparatus according to Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings includes a receiving area 38 of a structure identical to that described above. This receiving area 38 is horizontal but is placed on an inclined plane 39 having a larger surface, the incline following the direction of the player. A delivery area 40 of variable length and at an appreciable sloDe is located between the receiving area and the player. The nets 41 are suitably placed and maintained around the surface in contact with the floor. Rails or guide bars 42 are located beneath the receiving area to guide the boules falling into this part back towards the player by the effect of the inclined plane and conveyance facilities 43.These facilities 43 are located on either side of the delivery area 40 and may, for example, be of the travellator type operated by an electric motor. In a variant, as shown in Fig. 14, the receiving area 45 is appreciably offset in relation to the median line of its mounting 46, corresponding to the above-mentioned inclined plane 39. It is clear that this embodiment makes use of the same operating facilities for the target(s). As a variation, various obstacles may be placed on the receiving area to make throwing more difficult.

It will be noted that as regards the assembly of the apparatus, it is preferable for the horizontal container T and the horizontal section C3 to be laid down first, and then to lay the other sections one after the other according to the slope desired.

The description clearly illustrates the advantages of the apparatus and, in particular, the following should be stressed: its simplicity of manufacture and as sembly; its portability, the apparatus being light and all sections being demount able; the possibility of playing the game in a room; - total security during play; -- the elastic or yielding structure of all the exposed parts making up the ap paratus, providing good acoustic in sulation; its general resilience.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for playing the game of boules, comprising: a receiving area having support means for mounting the receiving area on the ground; a hollow target boule located on the receiving area and displaceable against the action of resilient return means when struck by a standard boule thrown by a player standing in front of the receiving area, the resilient return means returning the target boule to its initial position after displacement; restraining means located at the lateral and rear sides of the receiving area in order to impede escape of a thrown boule from the receiving area; means for automatically returning the thrown boule to the player; and indicating means controlled by the displacement of the target boule.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the support means comprises telescopic feet, allowing the receiving area to be inclined in the direction of a player, and the automatic returning means comprises an inclined collapsible extension of the receiving area in the form of a bottleneck and a rolling race, the collapsed extension having dimensions corresponding to the receiving area.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the receiving area comprises a frame comprised of U-section members forming a peripheral groove and at least one transverse U-section member, blocks of foam arranged in the groove, an intermediate floor with a surface corresponding to the receiving area resting on the foam blocks and being covered by a foam sheet covered in turn by a plastics layer and an additional layer disposed in the central part of the receiving area around the target boule.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, in which the resilient return means includes a cable passing through an opening in the target boule and fixed on a pin which is arranged inside the target boule.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the target boule is mounted on the upper end of a sleeve which extends through the thickness of the receiving area and through which the cable passes.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the cable is linked to a roller running along a guide, the roller being resiliently displaceably attached to an anchoring point.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the guide along which the roller runs extends past a ringing mechanism.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the ringing mechanism comprises a bell and a lever having a striker at one end, which acts on the bell, the other end of the lever having a tongue which pivots to enable free passage of the roller as it moves past in one direction and which rests on the lever when the roller passes in returning to its initial position, thereby imparting a rocking movement to the lever, causing the striker to ring the bell.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, including mushroom-like part-spherical heads displaceably mounted on the receiving area between the target boule and the front of the receiving area, and resilient means for returning the heads to their initial positions after displacement.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, in which the means for returning the thrown boule to the player comprises an inclined plane whose lateral edges are provided with guide bars having legs removably fitted in rings on the inclined plane.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the rolling race comprises dismountable sections engaging with each other at their ends.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which each section of the rolling race

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the effect of the inclined plane and conveyance facilities 43. These facilities 43 are located on either side of the delivery area 40 and may, for example, be of the travellator type operated by an electric motor. In a variant, as shown in Fig. 14, the receiving area 45 is appreciably offset in relation to the median line of its mounting 46, corresponding to the above-mentioned inclined plane 39. It is clear that this embodiment makes use of the same operating facilities for the target(s). As a variation, various obstacles may be placed on the receiving area to make throwing more difficult. It will be noted that as regards the assembly of the apparatus, it is preferable for the horizontal container T and the horizontal section C3 to be laid down first, and then to lay the other sections one after the other according to the slope desired. The description clearly illustrates the advantages of the apparatus and, in particular, the following should be stressed: its simplicity of manufacture and as sembly; its portability, the apparatus being light and all sections being demount able; the possibility of playing the game in a room; - total security during play; -- the elastic or yielding structure of all the exposed parts making up the ap paratus, providing good acoustic in sulation; its general resilience. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for playing the game of boules, comprising: a receiving area having support means for mounting the receiving area on the ground; a hollow target boule located on the receiving area and displaceable against the action of resilient return means when struck by a standard boule thrown by a player standing in front of the receiving area, the resilient return means returning the target boule to its initial position after displacement; restraining means located at the lateral and rear sides of the receiving area in order to impede escape of a thrown boule from the receiving area; means for automatically returning the thrown boule to the player; and indicating means controlled by the displacement of the target boule.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which each section of the rolling race

comprises a rail and two lateral guide bars.

13. Apparatus for playing the game of boules, substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.