GB2198048A - Apparatus for playing a game - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game comprises a main member 4 rotatable on a base member 2, cup members 14 resiliently connected to the main member (4) receiving playing members (11, Fig. 1), and an ejecting member 17 connected by a leaf spring 18 to the base member (2) bearing an ejecting spud 21 which engages an engagement member 24 on some of the cup members 14 to displace them upwardly and in turn a playing member (11). In an alternative embodiment, the cups are omitted and the playing members are received in openings (45, Fig. 16) in the main member, ejection from an opening being effected by a spud (49) on an ejecting member (47) actuated by a cam (51) formed on the inside of the main member 4. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAtE The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game, and it also relates to a method for playing the game.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, comprising a main member, a plurality of spaced apart receiving means provided on the main member, each receiving means to receive a playing member, and dislodging means for selectively dislodging some of the playing members from the receiving means.

In one aspect of the invention, the main member is movable relative to the disloding means, and a playing member is dislodged on the dislodging means engaging the playing member or receiving means. Preferably, the main member is rotatably mounted.

In another aspect of the invention, a base member is provided, the main member being rotatably mounted on the base member, and the dislodging means being mounted on the base member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the dislodging means is provided by an ejecting member having an ejecting spud extending therefrom, the ejecting spud being engagable with the receiving means or playing member for dislodging the playing member.

Advantageously, the ejecting member is mounted to the base member by a resilient member, the ejecting member being movable relative to the base member from a position spaced apart from a receiving means or playing member to a position whereby the ejecting spud engages a receiving means or playing member.

Preferably. the ejecting member is movable by hand.

Alternatively the ejecting member is movable by a camming member, the camming member being provided on the main member and engagable with a cam follower on the ejecting member.

In another aspect of the invention, each receiving means is provided by a receiving member movable relative to the main member.

Alternatively, each receiving means is provided by an opening in the main member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the dislodging means and receiving means are arranged so that playing members are dislodged from between 50 io to 80 ,o of the receiving means.

Additionally, the invention provides a method for playing a game by two or more players with the apparatus of the invention, the method comprises the steps of a first player placing a playing member in a receiving means on the main member, a second player placing a playing member in any one of a predetermined number of receiving means next to the receiving means in which the first player placed a playing member and rearwardly of that receiving means relative to the direction of motion of the main member, moving the main member through a displacement corresponding to the distance between the receiving means in which the first and second player placed their playing members, the first and second player alternatively continuing to place second, third and subsequent playing members in any one of a corresponding predetermined number of receiving means immediately rearwardly next of the receiving means in which the previous player placed a playing member, and moving the main member a distance corresponding to the distance between the receiving means in which the last two playing members were placed, each time -a playing member is placed in a receiving means.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method includes the step of moving the main member by rotating the main member through an angular displacement corresponding to the angular displacement between the receiving means in which the last two playing members were placed. Preferably, the method includes the step of moving the dislodging means to the position remote from the receiving means or playing means, and releasing it to move towards the position to engage the receiving means or playing member.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to the invention for playing a game also according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of another portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view from a different direction of the portion of the apparatus of Fig.

4, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a detail of the invention in one position, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the detail of Fig.

6 in another position, Fig. 8 is an underneath perspective view of another portion of the apparatus, Fig. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 illustrating how the game is played, Fig. 10 is a view similar t6 Fig. 9 illustrating another step in playing the game, Fig. 11 is a partly cut-away perspective view of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 11 on the line XII - XII of Fig. 11, Fig. 13 is a perspective view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 11, Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 11, Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing the detail in a different position, Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14 showing the detail in a still further different position, and Fig. 17 is a developed view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 10 there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for playing a game also according to the invention.

The apparatus 1 comprises a base member 2 of injection moulded plastics material of circular construction. A spindle 3 integrally moulded with the base member 2 rotatably supports a main member 4, also of injection moulded plastics material. The main member 4 is also of circular construction and of substantially similar diameter to the base member 2. As can be seen, the spindle 3 engages a tubular member 5 which is integrally injection moulded with the main member 4.

An end cap 6 on the tubular member 5 is shaped to form a central tip 7 which engages a corresponding depression 8 in the spindle 3 to provide relatively frictionless movement between the main member 4 and the base member 2.

A plurality of spaced apart receiving means to receive playing members 11, namely a ball 11 are provided by cup members 14 spaced apart around the periphery of the rotatable main member 4. Each cup member, as can be seen, is shaped to receive a playing member 11. It is envisaged that playing members of different colours can be provided so that each player can select his own colour. The actual playing of the game is described below. Each cup member 14 is movably mounted relative to the main member 4 and is connected to the main member 4 by a resilient member 15. The resilient member 15 and cup member 14 are integrally injection moulded with the main member 4.

A dislodging means for dislodging a playing member 11 from a cup member 14 is provided in this case by an ejecting member 17 which is mounted to the base member 2 by a resilient member, namely a leaf spring 18 of spring steel. The ejecting member 17 is of injection moulded plastics material and comprises an engaging slot arrangement 19 to receive the leaf spring 18. A similar engaging slot arrangement 20 in the base member 2 secures the leaf spring 18 in the base member 2. An ejecting spud 21 is provided on the ejecting member 17 for engaging certain of the cup members 14 for dislodging the playing members 11. In this case, it is desired that playing members should only be dislodged from some of the cup members 14.

Accordingly, each cup member from which a playing member is to be dislodged is provided with an engagement member 24 which releasably engages a plug 23 extending from the underside of each cup member 14.

As can be seen, a portion 26 of the base member 2 is removed to accommodate movement of the ejecting member 17. The ejecting member 17 is movable by a thumb grip 28 from a position spaced apart from each cup member 14 and is releasable to move under the action of the leaf spring 18 to engage an engagement member 24 thereby jolting the cup member 14 upwardly to dislodge a playing member 11 that may be placed in the cup member 14, see Figs. 6 and 7. Where an engagement member 24 is not placed on a cup member 14, moving the ejecting member 17 downwardly and releasing it will not affect the cup member, since the ejecting member 17, on being released, strikes the lower peripheral portion 27 of the main member 4 thereby preventing the ejecting spud 21 engaging the plug 23 on the cup member 14.Accordingly, playing members 11 will only be displaced from cup members 14 on which engagement members 24 are provided.

In this case, there are twenty-four cup members 14.

Of these, fifteen cup members 14A are provided with engagement members 24, see Fig. 8. Accordingly, playing members 11 can be dislodged from these cup members 14a, the remaining nine cup members 14b are provided without engagement members 24 and accordingly, playing members 11 cannot be dislodged from these cup members 14b.

An upstanding rim 29 extending round the base member 2 is provided to stabilise the main member 4 as it rotates. An inner portion 32 of the rotatable main member 4 is dished t9 receive playing members 11 displaced from the cup members 14.

To play the game, each of the two or more players places their playing members, namely, balls 11 alternatively, as will be described below, in cup members 14. After a playing member 11 has been placed in a cup member 14, the rotatable main member 4 is rotated part of a revolution. As each cup member 14 which contains a playing member 11 passes over the ejecting member 17, the ejecting member 17 is displaced downwardly and released. If the cup member 14 comprises an engagement member 24, the playing member 11 is dislodged. If not, the playing member remains in the cup member 14. The object of the game is to be the player with the greatest number of playing members 11 in cup members 14b.

The rules for the game are as follows, and are explained with particular reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

The game is normally be played by two players, although needless to say, it could be played by any number of players. Each of the two players is given a number of playing members 11. In general, each player will have his own colour of playing members. The first player places his first playing member 11a in a cup member which is at side X of the apparatus in other words at the side opposite the ejecting member 17, see Figs. 9 and 10. The second player then places his playing member 11b in any one of the next three cup members 14 immediately after the cup member 14 in which the first player placed his first playing member 11, in other words in any of the cup members 14x, 14y, 14z. In this case, the second player places his playing member 11 in the cup member 14y.The rotatable main member 4 is then rotated in the direction of the arrow A through an angular displacement corresponding to the angular displacement between the position of the first playing member 11a to be placed and the second playing member 11b to be placed, in other words, the angular position between the cup member at X and the cup member 14y. In other words, the main member 4 is rotated until the second player's playing member 11b is brought to position X.

The first player then places his next playing member 11 in any of the next three cups after the cup member 14y. The main member 4 is then rotated again to bring the first player's second playing member into position X.

Play continues in this fashion until the first cup member with a playing member in it passes over the ejecting member 17. At this stage, the playing member 17 is displaced downwardly and released. If an engagement 24 is attached to the cup member 14, the cup member 11 is displaced upwardly and the playing member 11 dislodged, if not, the playing member remains in the cup member 14 and play continues.

each cup member 14 with a playing member 11 in it passes over the ejecting member 17, the ejecting member 17 is activated to dislodge the playing member 11 should an engagement member 24 be present on the cup member. Thus, as play proceeds, it is in each players interest to watch the cup members 14 from which playing members 11 are ejected, by retaining the position of these cup members 14 in their memory.

They can thus avoid placing a playing member in any such cup member 14. Play continues until one player has five playing members in five of the cup members 14b, namely cup members 14 which have passed over the ejecting member 17 and from which playing members have not been displaced.

It will of course be appreciated that it will not be possible for the players to know which cup members 14 are cup members 14a or 14b by looking at them. The apparatus is moulded from an opaque plastics material.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 17 there is illustrated apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 40 according to another embodiment of the invention, also for playing the game according to the invention.

The apparatus 40 is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10, and similar components are identified by the same reference numeral. In this case, the rotatable main member 4 is also rotatable on a spindle 3 extending from the base member 2. A hand grip member 41 for rotating the main member 4 is secured to the tubular member 5.

In this embodiment of the invention, the receiving means, instead of being provided by cup members 14 are provided by a plurality of openings 45, slightly tapered to receive playing members, namely balls 11, similar to the playing member 11 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. The openings 45 are arranged spaced apart around the periphery of the main member 4. The diameter of the openings 45 is such as to allow the playing members 11 to sit into the openings 45 without falling through the openings.

An ejecting member 47 is of injection moulded plastics material and is integrally moulded with the base member 2. The ejecting member 47 comprises an elongated member 48 which is resilient. An ejecting spud 49 is provided on the member 48 to engage and displace playing members 11 from the openings 45. The ejecting member 47 is operable by a camming means provided by a cam profile 51 on the inner side 52 of a peripheral side wall 53 of the main member 4. Acam follower 55 on the ejecting member 47 is engagable with the cam profile 51 as the main member 4 rotates.

A developed view of the cam profile is illustrated in Fig. 17. The cam profile 51 is arranged so that as the follower 55 engages inclined faces 56 of the profile 51, the ejecting member 47 is displaced downwardly gradually into the base member 2. On reaching the end 57 of the faces 56, the ejecting member 47 is released and under the action of its resilient member 48 springs upwardly. Should the cam follower 55 engage a face 58 on its upward stroke, the ejecting member 47 is restrained and with it the ejecting spud 49 from engaging and dislodging a playing member 11.However, on the follower 55 moving upwardly to strike a face 59 of the profile 51, the ejecting member 47 is not restrained, and accordingly, the ejecting spud 49 strikes and dislodges a playing member 11 that happens to be in the appropriate opening 45. P. thumb grip 60 is provided on the ejecting member 47 should it be desired to overide the cam profile 51 and retain the ejecting member 47 displaced downwardly into the base member 2.

The cam profile 51 is provided with nine restraining faces 58 and fifteen faces 59. Thus, playing members 11 will not be displaced from nine of the openings 45b while they will be displaced from fifteen of the openings 45a. The faces 59 are arranged so that playing members 11 will be displaced from openings 45a in similar positions as the cup member 14a in the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Accordingly in use, as the rotatable main member 4 is rotating during play, the ejecting member 47 operates under the action of the cam profile 51 on the cam follower 55 and manual operation of the ejecting member 47 is not required.

The game according to the invention is played on this apparatus 40 in similar fashion to the apparatus 1.

The only difference being that as play progresses and the main member 4 is rotated past the ejecting member 47, playing members 11 in the openings 45 which correspond with the face 59 of the cam profile 51 are ejected by the ejecting member 47 without the need for manual intervention.

It will be appreciated that while the apparatus has been described as comprising rotatable main members with openings and cups suitable for receiving playing members, any other suitable arrangement could be provided. Further, other types of playing members could be used, for example, instead of balls, discs such as counters or the like, statuettes, characters or the like or any other suitable playing members could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Similarly, other receivingmeansbesides openings or cups may be used.

Furthermore, it is envisaged in certain cases that the apparatus for playing the game, instead of being provided with a rotatable main member, could be provided with any sort of member, whether rotatable or not, for example, in certain cases it is envisaged that instead of being movable by rotation, the main member could, for example, be movable linearly.

Additionally, instead of the main member being movable or rotatable, it may be stationary and the ejecting member may be movable. Alternatively, neither may be movable, in which case, a plurality of ejecting members may be provided and these will be selectively operated by suitable control means or circuitry.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that any other means for selectively dislodging the balls or playing members could be used besides the ejecting member illustrated. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that suitable electronic control apparatus could be used for controlling, for example, a solenoid for dislodging the members, a pneumatic cylinder, or indeed any other suitable ejecting member. Further, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the ejecting member, if provided by a device which was controllable by for example, electronic circuitry or the like, the openings from which balls would be dislodged could be changed from game to game, or indeed could be changed during a game. Indeed, in certain cases it is envisaged it may be preferable to have the openings randomly selected as the game progressed.It is also envisaged that the cam profile of the apparatus 40 may be movable relative to the openings Further, it is envisaged that the cam profile and cam follower arrangement could be provided in the apparatus 1.

Needless to say, while the game has been described as being played with play commencing from the side X of the apparatus, play could commence from any other desired or suitable position.

Additionally, it will, of course, be appreciated that while in the particular embodiment of the invention described the number of openings and cup members from which playing members are dislodged has been described as being fifteen, any number of openings or cup members could be provided from which playing members may be dislodged. The number may be greater or lesser than fifteen. Indeed, the relative positions of the openings and cup members from which playing members are dislodged may also be varied. Needless to say, when the number of openings or cup members from which playing members are dislodged is other than fifteen, a corresponding number of openings or cup members from which playing members are not dislodged will be provided. However, it will be appreciated that more or less than twenty-four openings or cup members may be provided.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the main member has been described as being rotatable by hand, in certain cases, it may be mechanically operated.

It is also envisaged in certain cases that a chart showing the exact location of which openings or cup members from which playing members are not dislodged may be provided.

It is also envisaged that the main member may be freely rotated, in other words, spun, before the game should start. In which case, it is envisaged that an ejecting member would be displaced into the base member to allow the disc to rotate freely.

Further, it will be appreciated that while a particular method for playing the game has been described, other methods could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the position of the predetermined number of openings or cup members into which the second and subsequent players could be permitted to place their playing members could be varied. Indeed, it could be varied from round to round of the game.

While a particular construction of base member and main member have been described, and while the base member and main member have been described as being of injection moulded plastics material, any other suitable construction or material could be used for the base member and main member without departing from the scope of the invention.

Where cup members are provided, it will be appreciated that other forms of engagement members could be provided on the cups for engaging the disloding means. In certain cases, it is envisaged that the engagement member may be integrally moulded with the cup member.

Further, it is envisaged that it is not necessary for the dislodging means to strike or be restricted by the rim of the side of the main member. In certain cases, the resilience of the spring or the resilient member of plastics material could be controlled such that it would not be necessary for the dislodging means to strike the rim of the main member. Needless to say, the dislodging means in the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 11 to 17 could be provided with a leaf spring, and it is also envisaged that the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 could be provided with a dislodging means comprising a resilient member of plastics material instead of the leaf spring. In which case, it is envisaged that the resilient member would be integrally injection moulded with the base member and dislodging means.

While a particular method of playing the game has been described, the game could be played using many other methods. For example, it is envisaged in certain cases that instead of commencing the game by placing a playing member on the opposite side of the base member to the dislodging means, the first playing member could be placed directly over the dislodging means, and in which case as soon as the playing member was placed, the dislodging means would be used to dislodge the playing member if the playing member was placed in a cup member or opening in which it could be displaced from by the dislodging means. It will also be appreciated that in playing the game in this fashion, the main member may be initially spun if desired to ensure that the receiving means in which play is to start is effectively randomly selected.

Claims (30)

1. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a main member, a plurality of spaced apart receiving means provided on the main member, each receiving means to receive a playing member, and dislodging means for selectively dislodging some of the playing members from the receiving means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the main member is movable relative to the disloding means, and a playing member is dislodged on the dislodging means engaging the playing member or receiving means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the main member is rotatably mounted.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the receiving means are provided adjacent the periphery of the rotatable member.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the main member is of circular construction.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which a base member is provided, the main member being rotatably -mounted on the base member, and the dislodging means being mounted on the base member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 in which the dislodging means is provided by an ejecting member having an ejecting spud extending therefrom, the ejecting spud being engagable with the receiving means or playing member for dislodging the playing member.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the ejecting member is mounted to the base member by a resilient member, the ejecting member being movable relative to the base member from a position spaced apart from a receiving means or playing member to a position whereby the ejecting spud engages a receiving means or playing member.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 in which the ejecting member is movable by hand.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 in which the ejecting member is movable by a camming member, the camming member being provided on the main member and engagable with a cam follower on the ejecting member.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 in which the camming member comprises a cam face, portion of which is shaped to rapidly release the ejecting member from the position spaced apart from a receiving means or playing member to rapidly engage a receiving means or playing member for dislodging the playing member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 11 in which a plurality of such shaped portions to rapidly release the ejecting member are provided to dislodge playing members in some of the receiving means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 12 in which the camming member is provided around the periphery of the main member.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 13 in which an engagement member extends from some of the receiving members to engage the ejecting spud on the ejecting member.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 6 to 14 in which the main member is rotatably mounted on a spindle extending upwardly from the base member.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which each receiving means is provided by a receiving member movable relative to the main member.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which each receiving member is provided by a cup member, the cup member being connected to the main member by a resilient member.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15 in which each receiving means is provided by an opening in the main member.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dislodging means and receiving means are arranged so that playing members are dislodged from between 50ego to 80% of the receiving means.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 in which playing members are dislodged from 62.5to of the receiving means.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which twenty-four receiving means are provided.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which playing members are provided, each playing member being provided by a ball engagable in a receiving means.

23. Apparatus sustantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

24. Apparatus sustantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 11 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method for playing a game by two or more players with the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 24 in which the method comprises the steps of: a first player placing a playing member in a receiving means on the main member, a second player placing a playing member in any one of a predetermined number of receiving means next to the receiving means in which the first player placed a playing member and rearwardly of that receiving means relative to the direction of motion of the main member1 moving the main member through a displacement corresponding to the distance between the receiving means in which the first and second player placed their playing members, the first and second player alternatively continuing to place second, third and subsequent playing members in any one of a corresponding predetermined number of receiving means immediately rearwardly next of the receiving means in which the previous player placed a playing member, and moving the main member a distance corresponding to the distance between the receiving means in which the last two playing members were placed, each time a playing member is placed in a receiving means.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25 in which the method includes the step of moving the main member by rotating the main member through an angular displacement corresponding to the angular displacement between the receiving means in which the last two playing members were placed.

27. A method as claimed in Claim 25 or 26 in which the method includes the step of moving the dislodging means to the position remote from the receiving means or playing means, and releasing it to move towards the position to engage the receiving means or playing member.

28. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 27 in which the predetermined number of receiving means less than six receiving means.

29. A method as claimed in any of Claims 25 to 28 in which the winner is the player with the greatest number of playing members in receiving means of the main member when no further receiving means will accept a playing member without it subsequently being dislodged by the dislodging means.

30. A method for playing a game sustantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 17 of the accompanying drawings.