GB2143142A

GB2143142A - Mechanical conker

Info

Publication number: GB2143142A
Application number: GB08319129A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Anthony Smith; James Alfred Scotchford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-07-15
Filing date: 1983-07-15
Publication date: 1985-02-06
Also published as: GB2143142B; GB8319129D0

Abstract

A mechanical conker, to replace the horse-chestnut in the traditional game of conkers, comprises a body 1 into which is fitted a cap 3 for attaching a cord 7, grip 6 being attached to the other end of the cord. When a trigger device 4 is knocked inwards by another mechanical conker a return spring 10 compresses, allowing an angled step in the trigger device stem to disengage from a notch 14 in an indicator stem 2, releasing the indicator stem from its latched state. Then indicator head 12 travels down to its seating under the force of the indicator election spring 11. The attached indicator 5 now protrudes from the bottom of the body, giving an indication of a winning hit. To reset the mechanism the indicator is pushed back into the body. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mechanical Conker This invention relates to a mechanical conker.

The traditional game of conkers is played by two players, each using the nut of the horsechestnut tree threaded on a cord. The cord is knotted at one end to prevent the nut from coming off and is held by the hand at the other end. The game is played as follows: Player one holds out his conker in front of him at arms length and shoulder high, allowing the conker to hang down at a safe distance from his hand. Player two holds his cord in one hand whilst temporarily supporting the nut in his other hand. He now takes aim and swings his conker at his opponent's conker in an attempt to hit it, The players then reverse positions and player one now takes his turn.

The object of the game is for one of the players to break his opponent's conker, but if instead he breaks his own conker whilst striking, he loses the game.

Horse-chestnuts are, however, seasonal (autumn time) and their abundance and accessibility can vary depending upon the area.

Therefore the game cannot be played for most of the year, also many prospective players have difficulty in obtaining the nuts during the autumn season.

According to the present invention there is provided a mechanical conker which replaces the horse-chestnut in the traditional game of conkers. The mechanical conker comprises of an unbreakable body in the form of a sphere, an indicator means to visually and/or sonically show when a winning hit has been struck by another mechanical conker, a means of holding the indicator in the state of readiness prior to a game, a target area on the body in the form of a trigger device means that when struck triggers the indicator.

Hence the object of the game when using the mechanical conker is for a player to trigger his opponent's indicator, but if instead, he triggers his own indicator, he loses the game in the same manner as when playing with horse-chestnuts.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 sheet 1/3 shows the positions taken up by the players when playing the game using the mechanical conker; Figure 2 sheet 1/3 shows the mechanical conker displaying it's indicator following a winning hit; Figure 3 sheet 2/3 illustrates an assembled view of the mechanical conker with the indicator mechanism in the latched position; Figure 4 sheet 3/3 illustrates an assembled view of the mechanical conker with the indicator mechanism in the released position; and Figure 5 sheet 3/3 illustrates the positions of the two dummy trigger devices.

Referring to the drawings fig. 1 sheet 1/3 shows the relative positions of the players during the game, where the player on the right is about to attempt to trigger his opponent's mechanical conker by swinging his mechanical conker in the direction of arrow 8 at his opponent's trigger device 4 fig. 3 sheet 2/3. If he achieves his intention, the winning hit is indicated by the protusion of the indicator 5 fig. 2 sheet 1/3, from his opponent's mechanical conker.

Fig. 3 sheet 2/3 shows the indicator mechanism in the latched position. The trigger device 4 has an outer face contoured to the surface of the body 1 and is a slide fit in the bdy.

In the stem of the trigger device is a rectangular hole 1 3 through which passes the indicator stem 2. The indicator assembly comprises a round head 12, a square stem 2 which is a slide fit in the body and the trigger device 4, an indicator 5 which is attached to the indicator stem by, for example a screwthread, glue or similar means. The indicator 5 is positioned with it's outer surface flush to the surface of the body.The indicator mechanism is held in the latched position by means of an angled step on the left face of the hole in the trigger device stem which mates against a similarly angled notch 14 on the adjacent face of the indicator stem and is held in place by means of the trigger device return spring 1 0. The cap 3 provides a means of attaching the cord 7 to the body, but does not restrict the movement of the indicator head 12 within it The grip 6 is attached to the other end of the cord and helps provide a firm grip playing.

Fig. 4 sheet 3/3 shows the indicator mechanism in the released position. This occurs when the trigger device is struck during a game. The trigger device is pushed inwards thereby decoupling the latch allowing the indicator assembly to shoot downwards under the force of the indicator ejection spring 11. This results in the indicator 5 protruding from the body giving a visual indication of a winning hit and at the same time the indicator head 12, making contact with it's seating at the end of it's travel, emits a sonic indication of the winning hit. To reset the indicator mechanism in the latched position for further games, the indicator assembly is pushed back into it's recess under thumb pressure.

Fig. 5 sheet 3/3 shows a sectioned view (looking from above) of the unassembled body with a possible placement for two dummy trigger devices 9 which are outwardly of the same shape and size as the true trigger device 4 fig. 4 sheet 3/3, and thereby provide an element of chance to the game.

CLAIMS (Filed on 30th Dec., '83) 1. A mechanical conker as a replacement of the nut of the horsechestnut tree in the traditional game of conkers.

2. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 1 comprising an unbreakable body in the form of a

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mechanical Conker This invention relates to a mechanical conker. The traditional game of conkers is played by two players, each using the nut of the horsechestnut tree threaded on a cord. The cord is knotted at one end to prevent the nut from coming off and is held by the hand at the other end. The game is played as follows: Player one holds out his conker in front of him at arms length and shoulder high, allowing the conker to hang down at a safe distance from his hand. Player two holds his cord in one hand whilst temporarily supporting the nut in his other hand. He now takes aim and swings his conker at his opponent's conker in an attempt to hit it, The players then reverse positions and player one now takes his turn. The object of the game is for one of the players to break his opponent's conker, but if instead he breaks his own conker whilst striking, he loses the game. Horse-chestnuts are, however, seasonal (autumn time) and their abundance and accessibility can vary depending upon the area. Therefore the game cannot be played for most of the year, also many prospective players have difficulty in obtaining the nuts during the autumn season. According to the present invention there is provided a mechanical conker which replaces the horse-chestnut in the traditional game of conkers. The mechanical conker comprises of an unbreakable body in the form of a sphere, an indicator means to visually and/or sonically show when a winning hit has been struck by another mechanical conker, a means of holding the indicator in the state of readiness prior to a game, a target area on the body in the form of a trigger device means that when struck triggers the indicator. Hence the object of the game when using the mechanical conker is for a player to trigger his opponent's indicator, but if instead, he triggers his own indicator, he loses the game in the same manner as when playing with horse-chestnuts. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 sheet 1/3 shows the positions taken up by the players when playing the game using the mechanical conker; Figure 2 sheet 1/3 shows the mechanical conker displaying it's indicator following a winning hit; Figure 3 sheet 2/3 illustrates an assembled view of the mechanical conker with the indicator mechanism in the latched position; Figure 4 sheet 3/3 illustrates an assembled view of the mechanical conker with the indicator mechanism in the released position; and Figure 5 sheet 3/3 illustrates the positions of the two dummy trigger devices. Referring to the drawings fig. 1 sheet 1/3 shows the relative positions of the players during the game, where the player on the right is about to attempt to trigger his opponent's mechanical conker by swinging his mechanical conker in the direction of arrow 8 at his opponent's trigger device 4 fig. 3 sheet 2/3. If he achieves his intention, the winning hit is indicated by the protusion of the indicator 5 fig. 2 sheet 1/3, from his opponent's mechanical conker. Fig. 3 sheet 2/3 shows the indicator mechanism in the latched position. The trigger device 4 has an outer face contoured to the surface of the body 1 and is a slide fit in the bdy. In the stem of the trigger device is a rectangular hole 1 3 through which passes the indicator stem 2. The indicator assembly comprises a round head 12, a square stem 2 which is a slide fit in the body and the trigger device 4, an indicator 5 which is attached to the indicator stem by, for example a screwthread, glue or similar means. The indicator 5 is positioned with it's outer surface flush to the surface of the body.The indicator mechanism is held in the latched position by means of an angled step on the left face of the hole in the trigger device stem which mates against a similarly angled notch 14 on the adjacent face of the indicator stem and is held in place by means of the trigger device return spring 1 0. The cap 3 provides a means of attaching the cord 7 to the body, but does not restrict the movement of the indicator head 12 within it The grip 6 is attached to the other end of the cord and helps provide a firm grip playing. Fig. 4 sheet 3/3 shows the indicator mechanism in the released position. This occurs when the trigger device is struck during a game. The trigger device is pushed inwards thereby decoupling the latch allowing the indicator assembly to shoot downwards under the force of the indicator ejection spring 11. This results in the indicator 5 protruding from the body giving a visual indication of a winning hit and at the same time the indicator head 12, making contact with it's seating at the end of it's travel, emits a sonic indication of the winning hit. To reset the indicator mechanism in the latched position for further games, the indicator assembly is pushed back into it's recess under thumb pressure. Fig. 5 sheet 3/3 shows a sectioned view (looking from above) of the unassembled body with a possible placement for two dummy trigger devices 9 which are outwardly of the same shape and size as the true trigger device 4 fig. 4 sheet 3/3, and thereby provide an element of chance to the game. CLAIMS (Filed on 30th Dec., '83)

1. A mechanical conker as a replacement of the nut of the horsechestnut tree in the traditional game of conkers.

2. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 1 comprising an unbreakable body in the form of a sphere, an indicator means to visually and/or sonically show when a winning hit has been struck by another mechanical conker, a means of holding the indicator in the state of readiness prior to a game, a target area on the body in the form of a trigger device means that when struck triggers the indicator

3. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 2 wherein the indicator means can be reset for another game.

4. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 2 wherein a score register is provided as a means of recording the number of hits.

5. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 4 wherein the score register can be incorporated together with the indicator means by using helix shaped recesses and pegs, or ratchet, or similar method that enables the indicator to turn a predetermined amount relative to the body each time the indicator is released by a winning hit.

6. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 2 wherein the body is provided with a cap as a means of attaching the cord to the body.

7. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cap means is detachable in order to replace the cord.

8. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cap means protrudes above the body to provide some protection for the cord against being accidentally hit, by increasing the distance from the target area on the body to where the cord emerges from the cap means.

9. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 2 wherein a grip means is provided on the cord at the opposite end of the body in order to provide a firm grip when playing.

1 0. A mechanical conker as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the body is provided with at least one dummy target area to add an element of chance to the game.

11. A mechanical conker substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. A mechanical conker as claimed in claim 11 can be used as a means of propelling small light objects by manually triggering the indicator against the objects.

13. A mechanism as claimed in claim 11 housed in a body in the form of a box to provide a means of propelling small light objects.