GB2148723A

GB2148723A - Improved table game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2148723A
Application number: GB8325859A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Victor Ash; Stephen Brian Victor Ash
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-09-28
Filing date: 1983-09-28
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB8325859D0

Abstract

Table hockey or football apparatus consists of an oblong box containing the playing surface 2 through which slots are cut for the sliding movement of simulated players 8, movement thereof being controlled by rods centered through drive spindles 9 which are connected to spindles 11 on the "players" by cords 14. The rods can be rotated clockwise and anti-clockwise to transmit rotational movements to the "players" appropriate to striking a ball or puck. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved Table Game This invention relates to an improved table game of hockey or football.

Football tables with dolly players attached to rods are well known. Another similar machine has dolly players rotating through slots in the playing surface by means of rods attached to bevelled gear wheels set below the playing surface.

When two spindles are at right angles to each other rotary motion may be transmitted from one to the other by means of bevelled gearwheels or belts and pullies. If the drive spindle is connected to a number of other spindles there will be an increase in frictional resistance which renders this system unsuitable for manual operation. In addition precision made bevelled gear wheels are fairy expensive.

In the present invention nylon or suitable cord transmits rotary motion from one spindle to the other by winding and unwinding. It is not fitted under tension and is not an endless belt and there is minimal frictional resistance. The rod connected to the drive spindle may be connected to a number of other spindles with minimal increase in frictional resistance and is therefore more suitable for manual operation. It cannot be rotated continuously in any direction, but can be rotated clockwise and anticlockwise appropriate to the natural movements of the wrist of the player.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan of the table game.

Figure 2 shows a longitudinal vertical cross section of the table.

Figure 3 shows a latitudinal cross section of the table.

Figure 4 on a larger scale shows a plan of the dolly player with the hockey stick and the ball.

Figure 5 on the same scale as figure 4 illustrates two views of the rotary mechanism connected to the dolly player.

Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 shows that the table game consists of an oblong box 1 with a playing surface 2 and slots 3 cut across the playing surface 2 and equally spaced between the goals 4.

Two trays 5 are set behind each goal to receive the ball when a goal has been scored. A rim 6 consisting of a series of half circles is set along the sides of the playing field to keep the ball in play. The rods 7 with attached handles protruding each side of the table control the rotary and sliding movement of the dollies and are manually operated.

Fig. 2 shows set below the playing surface 2 are the mechanical devices, one per dolly 8. Cross section of the rods 7 are centred through the large main drive spindles 9. These spindles 9 are secured to the rods 7 supported by the brackets 10, the rods 7 being free to rotate in the holes provided in the brackets. These brackets 10 also support the smaller spindles 11 which have stems 12 protruding through the playing surface 2 and are connected to the dollies 8, the smaller spindles 11 are also free to rotate within the brackets 10 and in turn the stems of the spindles rotate the dollies in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

Fig. 3 shows the rim 6 is continued round the playing surface and is bevelled at the corners in order that the ball will roll back on to the playing surface. Buffer stops 13 are fitted at the end of the travel of the rods.

Fig. 4 shows the dolly 8 striking a ball and the indication of clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation round a vertical axis.

Fig. 5 shows two spindles the larger of which 9 is the main drive and transmits a rotary action by means of a cord 14 to the smaller spindle 11 which rotates the dolly 8. Two cords 14 are used, one for each rotatary mechanism, in each case one cord controls the clockwise movement and the other cord controls the anti-clockwise movement.

Fig. 5A shows the main drive spindle 9 has been rotated in a clockwise direction as far as the cord 14 will allow, the cord for controlling the anti-clockwise movement has transferred from the main spindle on to the small spindle 11 and the cord for controlling the clockwise movement has transferred from the lower part of the small spindle 11 onto the larger spindle 9.

Fig. 5B shows the reverse process. Stops 15 are provided to prevent strain of the cord. The clockwise and anti-clockwise movement may be repeated as appropriate to striking the ball in the simulated game.

The rotary mechanism is supported in the brackets 10 which are secured to the underside of the carriage 16 which slides in channeis in the cross bearers 17 which are also part of the frame and support the playing surface 2.

The players hold the handles attached to the rods 7 and can transmit a sliding and rotary movement (simultaneously or separately) to the dollies 8 via the spindles as previously described. A stop (not shown) is connected to the handles and rods on the outside of the box 1 to make it clear to the players that the handles should be turned clockwise and anti-clockwise and not rotated for more than one complete revolution.

1. A table game of Hockey or Football consisting of an oblong box containing the playing surface through which slots are cut for the sliding movement of the dolly players. The movement of the dolly players is controlled by rods set below the playing surface with handles protruding through each side of the table. The rods are centred through the large main drive spindles and supported by the brackets which also support the smaller spindles, which have stems protruding through the playing surface and are connected to the dolly players. The main drive spindles transmit rotary action by means of cords to the smaller spindles which rotate the dolly players.

2. The rotary mechanism consisting of the spindles and cord in the improved table game as claimed in claim 1, is supported by brackets which

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved Table Game This invention relates to an improved table game of hockey or football. Football tables with dolly players attached to rods are well known. Another similar machine has dolly players rotating through slots in the playing surface by means of rods attached to bevelled gear wheels set below the playing surface. When two spindles are at right angles to each other rotary motion may be transmitted from one to the other by means of bevelled gearwheels or belts and pullies. If the drive spindle is connected to a number of other spindles there will be an increase in frictional resistance which renders this system unsuitable for manual operation. In addition precision made bevelled gear wheels are fairy expensive. In the present invention nylon or suitable cord transmits rotary motion from one spindle to the other by winding and unwinding. It is not fitted under tension and is not an endless belt and there is minimal frictional resistance. The rod connected to the drive spindle may be connected to a number of other spindles with minimal increase in frictional resistance and is therefore more suitable for manual operation. It cannot be rotated continuously in any direction, but can be rotated clockwise and anticlockwise appropriate to the natural movements of the wrist of the player. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan of the table game. Figure 2 shows a longitudinal vertical cross section of the table. Figure 3 shows a latitudinal cross section of the table. Figure 4 on a larger scale shows a plan of the dolly player with the hockey stick and the ball. Figure 5 on the same scale as figure 4 illustrates two views of the rotary mechanism connected to the dolly player. Referring to the drawings Fig. 1 shows that the table game consists of an oblong box 1 with a playing surface 2 and slots 3 cut across the playing surface 2 and equally spaced between the goals 4. Two trays 5 are set behind each goal to receive the ball when a goal has been scored. A rim 6 consisting of a series of half circles is set along the sides of the playing field to keep the ball in play. The rods 7 with attached handles protruding each side of the table control the rotary and sliding movement of the dollies and are manually operated. Fig. 2 shows set below the playing surface 2 are the mechanical devices, one per dolly 8. Cross section of the rods 7 are centred through the large main drive spindles 9. These spindles 9 are secured to the rods 7 supported by the brackets 10, the rods 7 being free to rotate in the holes provided in the brackets. These brackets 10 also support the smaller spindles 11 which have stems 12 protruding through the playing surface 2 and are connected to the dollies 8, the smaller spindles 11 are also free to rotate within the brackets 10 and in turn the stems of the spindles rotate the dollies in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Fig. 3 shows the rim 6 is continued round the playing surface and is bevelled at the corners in order that the ball will roll back on to the playing surface. Buffer stops 13 are fitted at the end of the travel of the rods. Fig. 4 shows the dolly 8 striking a ball and the indication of clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation round a vertical axis. Fig. 5 shows two spindles the larger of which 9 is the main drive and transmits a rotary action by means of a cord 14 to the smaller spindle 11 which rotates the dolly 8. Two cords 14 are used, one for each rotatary mechanism, in each case one cord controls the clockwise movement and the other cord controls the anti-clockwise movement. Fig. 5A shows the main drive spindle 9 has been rotated in a clockwise direction as far as the cord 14 will allow, the cord for controlling the anti-clockwise movement has transferred from the main spindle on to the small spindle 11 and the cord for controlling the clockwise movement has transferred from the lower part of the small spindle 11 onto the larger spindle 9. Fig. 5B shows the reverse process. Stops 15 are provided to prevent strain of the cord. The clockwise and anti-clockwise movement may be repeated as appropriate to striking the ball in the simulated game. The rotary mechanism is supported in the brackets 10 which are secured to the underside of the carriage 16 which slides in channeis in the cross bearers 17 which are also part of the frame and support the playing surface 2. The players hold the handles attached to the rods 7 and can transmit a sliding and rotary movement (simultaneously or separately) to the dollies 8 via the spindles as previously described. A stop (not shown) is connected to the handles and rods on the outside of the box 1 to make it clear to the players that the handles should be turned clockwise and anti-clockwise and not rotated for more than one complete revolution. CLAIMS

2. The rotary mechanism consisting of the spindles and cord in the improved table game as claimed in claim 1, is supported by brackets which are secured to a carriage which slides in channel in the cross bearers.

3. Atabwe game as claimed in claim 1, in which each dolly player is fitted with a club orformed in an appropriate way to enable it to strike a ball or puck.

4. A table game substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - to 5-of the accompanying drawings.