GB2129313A

GB2129313A - Indoor bowls apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2129313A
Application number: GB8329481A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-09
Filing date: 1983-11-04
Publication date: 1984-05-16
Also published as: GB8329481D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a flat playing surface 1, a plurality of balls 12 and means for aiming and propelling one of said balls over the playing surface, which means includes a rotatable mounting 3 and an arm 5 which is pivoted to swing in a vertical plane and adapted to releasably support one of the balls 12. The playing surface comprises foam plastics material pressed onto a rigid base, a moulded plastics material e.g., ABS, covering the foam plastics material and defining a ditch-like channel around the perimeter of the playing surface, and a layer of pin pile material laid upon the moulded plastics material to simulate a bowling green. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for playing a game This invention relates to a game which can be played indoors, for example as a table-top game, but which re-creates in a very realistic manner the game of bowls.

According to this invention there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising a flat playing surface, a plurality of substantially spherical objects and means for aiming and propelling one of said objects over the playing surface, which means includes a rotatable mounting and an arm which is pivoted to swing in a vertical plane and adapted to releasably support one of said objects.

Preferably the means for aiming and propelling one of said objects over the playing surface is incorporated in a figure representing a bowler.

Preferably the flat playing surface comprises a rigid base, a foam plastics material pressed onto said base, a moulded plastics material covering the foam plastics material and defining a channel around the perimeter of the playing surface, and a layer of pin pile material laid upon the moulded plastics material to simulate a bowling green.

The invention will now be described by way of the following Examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view from the side of a portion of the apparatus and shows particularly means for aiming and propelling an object simulating a bowl over the playing surface; Figs. 2(a) and (b) are side views of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 in isolation, and illustrates the action of the pivoted arm in retaining and then releasing an object simulating a bowl; Fig. 3 is a side view of an alternative embodiment to that shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 4 is a plan view of apparatus of the invention using the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of part of an alternative means for aiming and propelling an object simulating a bowl; Fig. 6 is a different view of the means shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a side view of a figure which is used to represent a bowler and which incorporates means for aiming and propelling an object simulating a bowl across the playing surface; Fig. 8 is a view from the front of the figure shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a view of part of the figure shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and shows means for mounting the figure upon the playing surface such that it may be swivelled to change the direction of aim; and Fig. 10 shows a transverse section through the playing surface.

EXAMPLE 1 In a first embodiment of the invention a model bowling green is made from green unpiled carpet tiles fixed upon a plywood base to provide a flat playing surface 1 with a plastic channelled edging to provide a ditch 2 around the periphery of the playing surface 1. Wood and metal may be used to provide a frame or finished edging for the model.

At one end of the model there is provided a rotatable mounting 3 to which there is fixed a figure 4 representing a bowler, which figure 4 has an arm 5 pivoted at a shoulder 6 to swing in a vertical plane. Spring loading means 7 hidden within the figure 4 is arranged to bias the arm 5 to a forward position.

A plunger 8 is linked to the spring-loading means 7 through a draw-wire 9 which passes over guide pins 10 within the figure 4.

The arm 5 has a hinged portion 13 which is fashioned so as to hold a simulated bowl 1 2 and is adapted to cooperate with a trip mechanism. This mechanism may simply be a trigger 11 fixed to the playing surface 1 so that when the hinged portion 13 makes contact therewith the bowl 12 is released.

The rotatable mounting 3 has attached thereto a tube 1 6 which encloses the draw-wire 9 and part of the plunger 8. This enables the figure 4 to be rotated in an arc to give a field of aim on the playing surface 1 by using the plunger 8 as a lever.

In this embodiment a clearance 1 5 is allowed between part of the figure 4 and the playing surface 1 to allow that part to pass over it without fouling.

A simulated bowl 12 can be created by shaping a heavy metal to the required size, drilling out a portion of the shaped metal bowl and adding a heavier metal to provide bias. A heavy bowl travels more realistically and accuracy than a light one.

In use the plunger 8 is first drawn back, this acts through the draw-wire 9 to draw the arm 5 back, against the spring action, so that release of the plunger 8 causes the arm 5 to return rapidly to the forward position. This rapid return action of the arm 5 provides the impetus to throw a bowl 12 forwards over the playing surface. However by incorporating a trip mechanism to pre-select the moment of release, more control over the attitude of the bowl is obtained. (Thus for example bouncing is prevented).

There are many variations possible for the trip mechanism. However the simplest probably involves a "ground" trigger and a catch on the underside of the hinged portion 13, so that as the arm 5 passes over the "ground" trigger the catch engages it and causes the hinged portion 1 3 to bend downwards. A spring may be attached to the hinged portion to return it to its original position.

In a second embodiment the figure 4 is mounted on a turntable which forms the rotatable mounting 3.

The arm 5 includes a further pivot 14 to enable the use of a slightly different trip mechanism.

Also in this embodiment the draw-wire 9 passes through the backwardly thrust leg of the figure 4 to the tube 1 6 where it is connected to the plunger 8 as before.

Many further variations of this embodiment are possible, for example the spring 7 may be housed in the tube 1 6 i.e. at the opposite end of the drawwire to that already described with the same effect.

The arm 5 could include weights beyond the pivot point 14 to give more power to the thrust acting on the bowl 12.

EXAMPLE 2 In an alternative embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes, a flat playing surface which simulates a bowling green and comprises a rigid base 25, made from chipboard and/or hardboard, a foam plastics material 24, such as expanded polystyrene, pressed onto the rigid base 25, a moulded plastics material 23, such as ABS, covering the foam plastics material 24 and whose contours are such as to define a channel 22 around the perimeter of the playing surface to represent a ditch, and a layer 21 of green coloured pin-pile material laid upon the moulded plastic within the area confined by the channel 22 to represent the close cut grass of a bowling green; a figure 34 representing a bowler which incorporates means for aiming and propelling an object simulating a bowl over the surface, said means comprising an arm 35 pivoted at a shoulder portion 36 to swing in a vertical plane, spring loading means in the form of a coiled torsion spring 37 normally concealed within the figure 34 and arranged to bias the arm 35 to a forward position, and a rotatable mounting 33 to which the figure 34 is fixed. The arm 35 is provided with a recess 38 for receiving one end of the spring 37 whilst a similar recess for like purpose is provided in the shoulder 36; a spigot 39 for fastening the arm 35 to shoulder 36 by means of passing said spigot through aperture 40 to engage a socket 41 in a locking cap 42; a projection 43 for engaging a curved recess 44 in the shoulder 36 which limits the amount of free travel on the arm 35.

At the other end of the arm 35 there is provided means for releasably supporting an object simulating a bowl in the form of a resilient gripping device 46 having fingers 47 into which one of said objects may be force fitted for frictional engagement therewith. Such frictional engagement being just sufficient to retain the object when the arm 35 is caused to move slowly but can be overcome when the arm 35 is drawn back against the spring loading, released and brought to rest suddenly by the projection 43 reaching the end of its travel in the recess 44.

In order to failitate control of the arm a finger grip 45 is provided.

The rotatable mounting 33 comprises a plate 48 to which the figure 34 is mounted by means of a bolt 49 which passes through the plate 48 and playing surface to emerge beneath the rigid base 25 where a washer 53, a coil spring 50 and lock nuts 51 are provided in complete the fastening.

As before an object 52 resembling a miniature bowl can be produced by shaping a heavy metal and introducing a small quantity of a heavier metal to provide the bias.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a flat playing surface, a plurality of substantially spherical objects and means for aiming and propelling one of said objects over the playing surface, which means includes a rotatable mounting and an arm which is pivoted to swing in a vertical plane and adapted to releasably support one of said objects.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for aiming and propelling one of said objects over the playing surface is incorporated in a figure representing a bowler.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flat playing surface comprises a rigid base, a foam plastics material pressed onto said base, a moulded plastics material covering the foam plastics material and defining a channel around the perimeter of the playing surface, and a layer of pin pile material laid upon the moulded plastics material to simulate a bowling game.

4. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.