GB2115708A - Target practice game - Google Patents

Abstract

A target practice game including a transmitter device (e.g. in the form of a gun) which produces a directional beam of light for example by means of a laser, a target which is adapted to receive and detect the light beam, and a warning device which may be incorporated in the transmitter or the receiver and which indicates when a "hit" has been scored.

Description

SPECIFICATION Toy This invention relates to toys, and particularly to toy guns and "target practice" type games.

According to the present invention, there is provides a transmitter device adapted to produce a pulse signal, preferably of electro-magnetic waves; a receiver device adapted to detect the transmitted pulse signal, and a warning device adapted to provide an audible and/or visible warning, when the signal is received by the receiver.

Preferably, the transmitter device is made in the shape of a model gun, and is adapted to produce a pulsed beam of light (for example by means of a laser). According to one embodiment of the invention, the transmitter and the receiver are incorporated in the same apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a target including a reflector which is adapted to direct a reflected light beam along the path of the incident beam. For example, the reflector may comprise an array of small prisms.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a transmitter in the shape of a model gun, and a receiver adapted to be worn as a badge by a player of the game, the game including at least two transmitters and two receivers, whereby a pair of players may "shoot" at each other, the winner being the first to score a "hit". Preferably, each of the target devices is arranged to produce an audible warning signal, the signals of the two targets preferably being of a different tone, to enable the winner to be distinguished.

Preferably, the transmitter is arranged so as to only allow a limited number of "shots" to be fired, before it has to be reset by the player, so as to simulate the action of a real gun.

One embodiment of the invention wili now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in use.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus comprises a pair of "guns" 2, 4, and a pair of "targets" in the form of badges 6, 8. The badges preferably comprise passive receiving devices, whereas the gun devices include the driving circuitry for a light transmitter, as well as an audible warning device. The warning device of each gun is actuated, via a connection 10 or 12, when the receiver 6 or 8 detects the light ray from the other gun. Thus if the player holding the gun 4 directs his light ray correctly at the target 6, the warning device of gun 2 is actuated and emits a characteristic tone.

Alternatively, the warning device and its associated circuitry may be incorporated in the target device itself, in which case the game may be played with only one gun and one target. It will be appreciated that no connection 10 is then required between the gun and the target.

Similarly, in a further simplified arrangement which is primarily intended to be played with only one gun and one target, the target 6 comprises a passive reflector of the type which is adapted to direct a reflected ray of light along the same path as the incident ray, and the gun 2 may incorporate the transmitter, the receiver, the associated circuitry, and the warning device.

1, A target practice device or game comprising a transmitter device adapted to produce a directional pulse signal, a receiver device adapted to detect the transmitted pulse signal, and a warning device connected to the receiver and adapted to provide an audible and/or visible warning, when the signal is detected by the receiver.

2. A device or game according to claim 1 in which the transmitter device, the receiver device, and the warning device are all incorporated in a single portable unit, and further comprising a target including a reflex reflector adapted to reflect an incident signal from the transmitter, back to the said single unit.

3. A device or game according to claim 1 comprising a first unit including a transmitter device and a warning device and a separate second unit, connected to said first unit, including a receiver adapted to actuate the warning device when a signal is detected from the transmitter.

4. A device or game according to claim 1 comprising a first unit including a transmitter device and a second unit including a receiver and warning device, whereby the transmitter and receiver may be arranged at a distance from one another.

5. A device or game according to claim 3 or claim 4 adapted for use by at least two players and comprising one of said first units and one of said second units for each player, each said first unit being adapted to be held and aimed by the respective player and each said second unit being adapted to be worn by the said player so that the other player or players may aim at it.

6. A device or game according to any preceding claim in which the signal comprises a light beam.

7. A device or game according to claim 6 in which the transmitter includes a laser.

8. A device or game substantially as herein described.

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

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Toy This invention relates to toys, and particularly to toy guns and "target practice" type games. According to the present invention, there is provides a transmitter device adapted to produce a pulse signal, preferably of electro-magnetic waves; a receiver device adapted to detect the transmitted pulse signal, and a warning device adapted to provide an audible and/or visible warning, when the signal is received by the receiver. Preferably, the transmitter device is made in the shape of a model gun, and is adapted to produce a pulsed beam of light (for example by means of a laser). According to one embodiment of the invention, the transmitter and the receiver are incorporated in the same apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a target including a reflector which is adapted to direct a reflected light beam along the path of the incident beam. For example, the reflector may comprise an array of small prisms. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a transmitter in the shape of a model gun, and a receiver adapted to be worn as a badge by a player of the game, the game including at least two transmitters and two receivers, whereby a pair of players may "shoot" at each other, the winner being the first to score a "hit". Preferably, each of the target devices is arranged to produce an audible warning signal, the signals of the two targets preferably being of a different tone, to enable the winner to be distinguished. Preferably, the transmitter is arranged so as to only allow a limited number of "shots" to be fired, before it has to be reset by the player, so as to simulate the action of a real gun. One embodiment of the invention wili now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in use. Referring to the drawing, the apparatus comprises a pair of "guns" 2, 4, and a pair of "targets" in the form of badges 6, 8. The badges preferably comprise passive receiving devices, whereas the gun devices include the driving circuitry for a light transmitter, as well as an audible warning device. The warning device of each gun is actuated, via a connection 10 or 12, when the receiver 6 or 8 detects the light ray from the other gun. Thus if the player holding the gun 4 directs his light ray correctly at the target 6, the warning device of gun 2 is actuated and emits a characteristic tone. Alternatively, the warning device and its associated circuitry may be incorporated in the target device itself, in which case the game may be played with only one gun and one target. It will be appreciated that no connection 10 is then required between the gun and the target. Similarly, in a further simplified arrangement which is primarily intended to be played with only one gun and one target, the target 6 comprises a passive reflector of the type which is adapted to direct a reflected ray of light along the same path as the incident ray, and the gun 2 may incorporate the transmitter, the receiver, the associated circuitry, and the warning device. CLAIMS

1, A target practice device or game comprising a transmitter device adapted to produce a directional pulse signal, a receiver device adapted to detect the transmitted pulse signal, and a warning device connected to the receiver and adapted to provide an audible and/or visible warning, when the signal is detected by the receiver.

2. A device or game according to claim 1 in which the transmitter device, the receiver device, and the warning device are all incorporated in a single portable unit, and further comprising a target including a reflex reflector adapted to reflect an incident signal from the transmitter, back to the said single unit.

3. A device or game according to claim 1 comprising a first unit including a transmitter device and a warning device and a separate second unit, connected to said first unit, including a receiver adapted to actuate the warning device when a signal is detected from the transmitter.

4. A device or game according to claim 1 comprising a first unit including a transmitter device and a second unit including a receiver and warning device, whereby the transmitter and receiver may be arranged at a distance from one another.

5. A device or game according to claim 3 or claim 4 adapted for use by at least two players and comprising one of said first units and one of said second units for each player, each said first unit being adapted to be held and aimed by the respective player and each said second unit being adapted to be worn by the said player so that the other player or players may aim at it.

6. A device or game according to any preceding claim in which the signal comprises a light beam.

7. A device or game according to claim 6 in which the transmitter includes a laser.

8. A device or game substantially as herein described.