GB2290721A

GB2290721A - Race game

Info

Publication number: GB2290721A
Application number: GB9513056A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kiyoshi Kashimoto
Original assignee: Tomy Co Ltd
Current assignee: Tomy Co Ltd
Priority date: 1994-07-01
Filing date: 1995-06-27
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-27
Also published as: JP3006091U; HK1009944A1; GB9513056D0; GB2290721B

Abstract

Race game apparatus comprises an endless belt on which is mounted a figurine or other item, a trackway on which the figurine appears to run, driving means associated with each belt to advance the belt and thus the figurine, wherein the figurine is configured to carry a small article such as a ball which can drop off the figurine. In a alternative method of use of the apparatus, a ball or the like can be propelled along the track by contact with the figurine. <IMAGE>

Description

DESCRIPTION GAME The present invention relates to a game wherein figurines of interesting appearance race against each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a game which includes a plurality of figurines, tracks along which the figurines race, a plurality of belts corresponding to the tracks for supporting the moving figurines, mechanism for driving the belts and controls operated by the players for actuating the driving mechanisms. The figurines are provided with caps having curvilinear supporting surfaces within which balls of different configuration are carried in what can be described as an "unstable" condition. As the players drive the figurines around the track a figurine which is moving too rapidly loses the ball found within its cap which tumbles down to the platform. At this juncture the player must stop movement of the figurine and replace the ball. Other variations on this theme will be apparent hereinafter.

The game of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the game of the preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 schematically illustrates one of the dolls or figurines wearing a cap on top of which is balanced a ball; Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the doll wearing a hat on top of which is balanced a larger ball; Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the larger ball having fallen from the cap of the figurine; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the driving mechanism of the game; Figure 6 is a perspective view of portions of the driving mechanism illustrating in particular the meshing of gears; and Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the doll or figurine associated with the game of the present invention.

With reference to Fig. 1 the manner of playing the game of the present invention will be generally described. The dolls 2, 3 are positioned upright at the starting line 5 on the running tracks 4a, 4b. The caps 6 are positioned on the dolls 2, 3. One of the balls 7 is placed within the recessed portion 6a of the cap 6, as best seen in Fig. 2. Next, operating piece 9 which protrudes upwardly from the board 8 is set to an even number of trips around the course. In the preferred embodiment the number can be varied between 1-3. When the sound button 10 is pushed thereafter, a noise such as "Pi, Pi, Pi, Bawn!" (the crack of a pistol) is emitted signalling that the game has started. Thereafter background music plays.

When the sound of the pistols signals that the race is underway the two players are required to operate members A, B. As seen in Fig. 1, the running button or operating piece A corresponds to the doll 1 while the operating member B corresponds to the doll 3. Thus, the doll 2 begins to run when member A is operated. Similarly, doll 3 begins to run when the member B is struck. When each of the dolls or figurines 2, 3 completes a predetermined number of trips around the course another noise similar to the cracking of a pistol is heard signalling that game is finished.

If one of the dolls 2, 3 runs too fast in seeking to reach the finish line the ball 7 located on the cap 6 drops downwardly onto the platform. The player is not permitted to continue propelling the doll but instead must re-place the ball 7 on the cap 6 and begin once again to compete. Alternatively, the rules may provide that when the ball 7 is dropped the game is forfeited.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the game can also be played with the larger ball 11 placed on the cap 6. The distinctive characteristic of the bail 11 is its oval and larger design similar to a soccer ball.

As can be seen from Fig. 4, the game may also be played with nothing placed in the recess 6a of the cap 6. In this and other embodiments the larger soccer ball 11 is designed to be kicked by the player around the course. In this event the player kicking the soccer ball 11 past the finish line, first wins. It will be apparent that since the ball 11 is oval it rolls in different directions. Considerable skill is required in this embodiment since the soccer ball 11 does not roll in a predetermine direction requiring that the speed of the doll 2, 3 be adjusted throughout the race.

Having briefly described the overall operation of the game of the present invention, reference will now be made to its construction. Referring to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 12 generally designates the game board which includes running tracks 4a, 4b and the operating panel 8.

With reference to Figs. 5 and 6 the driving mechanisms are generally designated by the reference numerals 13, 14. These driving mechanisms 13, 14 are connected to the operating buttons A, B which are disposed on the game board 12. The driving mechanism 13, by way of example, and as shown in Fig. 6, consists of gears 13a, 13b - 13h, a loop-like rack belt 13i, gears 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d and a fly wheel 19. The driving mechanism 14, as also seen in Fig. 6, consists of gears 14a, 14b - 14h, a loop-rack belt 14i, gears 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d and the fly wheel 22.

As also seen in Fig. 6, the operating button A is provided with a rack 1 3a which is an input gear of the driving mechanism 13. When the member A is pushed against the force of the spring 1 7a (Fig. 5) the rack 1 3a rotates the gear 1 3b and the rotating power of the gear 1 3b is transmitted to the rack 1 3i through the gears 13c, 13d, 13e, 13f, 13g, 13h.

The rotating power of the gear 1 3b is transmitted from the gear 1 8a fixed to the gears 13c, 1 3d coaxialiy through the shaft to the flywheel 19 though the gears 18b, 18c, 18d. The operating button B is provided with a rack 1 4a which is the input gear of the gear mechanism 14. When the member A is moved against the force of the spring 20A (Fig. 5) the rack 14a rotates the gear 14b, and the rotating power of the gear 14b is transmitted to the rack belt 14i through the gears 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, 14h. Also, the rotating power of the gear 14b is transmitted from the gear 21a which is fixed to the gears 14c, 14b coaxially through the shaft to the fly wheel 22 through the gears 21b, 21c, 21d.

The driving mechanisms 13, 14 are identical with respect to the number of movements of the members A, B required for the doll bodies 2, 3 to make one trip around the trackway. As seen in Fig. 5, clutch mechanisms CL are provided throughout such that the internal mechanisms will not be damaged even if the doll body 2, 3 is abruptly stopped. The shafts of the gears 13b, 14b are rotatably born by a slided opening (not shown). The gear 13b, 14b is moved along the slotted hole to disengage the meshing of the gears 13c, 14c when the running button A, B ascends. The rack belts 13i, 14i are provided with receiving portions 22. The receiving portions 22 are adapted to be inserted into and fixed within the doll body 2, 3.

As seen in Fig. 7, each of the doll bodies 2, 3 is constructed in such a manner that it is capable of being divided into front and rear parts. The mechanism box 67 is disposed within the doll body 2, 3 and a shaft 67a protrudes to one side of the lower portion of the mechanism 67 and is capable of engaging hole 22a and notch 22b of the receiving portion 22. Part of the gear 68a is exposed through a lower side of the box 67. The gear 68a is capable of meshing with the racks 24a, 24b (Fig. 1) formed on the lateral portion of the guide grooves 12a, 12b. Because of the rotation of the gears 68a accompanied by the running of the doll body 2, 3, the power of the gear 68a is transmitted to legs 73a, 73b through gears 68b, 68c, 68d, 68e, 68f, and the eccentric pins 72a, 72b, thereby swinging the legs 72, 73b with the shaft 70a, 70b as centers and then swinging the hands 73c, 73d engaged with the upper ends of the legs 73a, 73b. Moreover, a clutch 74 is interposed between the gears 68d, 68e such that the gear mechanism is prevented from being damaged in the case where the doll body 2, 3 is forced to stop during its movement.

As seen in Fig. 5 a spring 24 urges the sound operating button 10 upwardly and is disposed below the sound button 10. Also below the sound button 10 is disposed a leaf switch SW1 of the normally opened type which is turned on when the sound button descends. When the switch SW1 is turned on, a sound signal is generated by LSI (not shown) producing a sound "Pi, Pi, Pi, Bawn!" resembling the crack of a pistol and the corresponding sound is emitted from the speaker SP after which background music begins.

As also seen in Fig. 5, leaf switches SW2, SW3 are arranged in the vicinity of the end of the running tracks 4a, 4b. Protrusions 25 are disposed on the rack belts 13i, 14i. The leaf switches SW2, SW3 are turned on when abutted by the protrusions. Where the number of trips around the trackway is set, the leaf switches SW2, SW3 count the number of times of ON in the leaf switches SW2, SW3, such that when the number of times of ON reaches a predetermined time, LSI (not shown) generates the sound signal and then the speaker SP emits the signal stopping the background music. Still further, a slide type switch SW4 is disposed below the operating piece 9. The switch SW4 is adapted to turn electrical power on and off and to set the number of times.

Since the bodies of the dolls 2, 3 are controlied by members A, B only small mount of strength is required by the players. This is true even where the players are considerably different in ages, for example, a young child and an adult. This means that the "evenly-matched" game of the present invention can be enjoyed by players of all ages, even when competing against each other.

Since the dolls 2, 3 move while carrying the balls 7, 11 in what can only be characterized as an "unstable" state, additional excitement is added to prevent the balls from being dislodged and also moving the balls along the trackway in the case of the soccer ball.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention features dolllike figures it will be apparent that the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to figurines of all shapes including animals, robots, toy vehicles and the like.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A game, comprising a plurality of movable playing pieces adapted to carry articles in an unstable condition as the pieces move, running tracks associated with the playing pieces, belts associated with the running tracks for supporting the playing pieces, driving mechanisms for moving the belts and player-operated members for operating the driving mechanisms. 2. A game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sound emitting mechanism for signalling the starting and finishing of the game. 3. A game as claimed in claim 2, further comprising means for determining the number of times the players must traverse the course before operating the sound emitting mechanism. 4. A game device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the playing pieces are configured as the bodies of dolls. 5. A game device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the bodies of each of the dolls is provided with a cap having a recessed portion adapted to carry the article which rests therein. 6. A game as claimed in claim 5, wherein the article is a ball. 7. A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ball is irregular in shape. 8. A modification of the game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the movable pieces are adapted to push or otherwise move the articles around the tracks rather than to carry them. 9. A game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A game, comprising a plurality of movable playing pieces adapted to carry articles in an unstable condition as the pieces move, running tracks associated with the playing pieces, belts associated with the running tracks for supporting the playing pieces, non-motorized driving mechanisms for moving the belts via manual force and player-operated members for operating the driving mechanisms and providing the manual force to the driving mechanisms.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sound emitting mechanism for signalling the starting and finishing of the game.

3. A game as claimed in claim 2, further comprising means for determining the number of times the players must traverse the course before operating the sound emitting mechanism for signalling the end of the game.

4. A game device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the playing pieces are configured as the bodies of dolls.

5. A game as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dolls respectively have hands and legs, the game further comprising hand and leg moving mechanisms for moving the hands and legs on movement of the belts.

6. A game device as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein each of the bodies of each of the dolls is provided with a cap having a recessed portion adapted to carry the article which rests therein.

7. A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein the article is a ball.

8. A game as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ball is irregular in shape.

9. A modification of the game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the movable pieces are adapted to push or otherwise move the articles around the tracks rather than to carry them.

10. A game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.