JP2007533418A - Improved multi-level table game apparatus and play method - Google Patents

Abstract

  A method for playing a three-dimensional structure such as an improved play table constructed of a plurality of levels and pocket billiards, wherein a play object is moved to an upper level without using moving parts. Furthermore, the improvement point about the control of the game surface and the game object is taught, so that any game can be modified, the game level of the player can be improved, and the quality of the game can be improved. .

Description

(Related application)
This application claims priority from a US provisional application (Application No. 60 / 583,194) filed June 25, 2004 by the same inventor. The provisional application is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

(background)
The present invention relates to an improved table game apparatus having a plurality of levels and a game method. The play equipment and the play method are useful, for example, for playing a table game (table game) such as a pool (billiard or pocket billiard). As the above-mentioned play equipment and method, a plurality of forms are disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,712,710. The play equipment described in US Pat. No. 6,712,710 is a multi-planar billiard play equipment that is generally horizontal and has two or more play surfaces or layers that support a game piece. Consists of. The game surface or game plane is stacked in a state sufficiently separated from each other so that a player can use the lower game surface, and the game object moves along the game surface. Each playing surface may have one or more pockets that contain the playing objects. Pockets existing in adjacent playing surfaces are connected by a conduit, and the conduit forms a pathway between adjacent playing surfaces. In one form of the play equipment having three or more play surfaces, the conduit connected to the pocket on the intermediate play surface forms a passage from the intermediate play surface to both the upper side and the lower side. These conduits include guides. The guide unit interacts with the game object that enters the pocket associated with the conduit, and guides the game object to the upper game surface or the lower game surface depending on factors such as the speed of the game object. The play equipment disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,712,710 has so-called “shooters” flippers. The fin portion is a movable part and can be operated to assist the billiard ball to move upward or downward from one play level (play surface) to the other level. Such fins were located inside the conduit connecting the playing surfaces. However, in such a play stand, it is desired to maintain a plurality of levels of play without using moving parts.

(wrap up)
Generally, the playground equipment described herein is an improved multi-tiered pool playground equipment that is generally horizontal and supports two or more play objects. It is composed of a play surface or hierarchy. The game surfaces (or game planes) are stacked in a state sufficiently separated from each other so that a player can use the lower game surface, and the game objects move along the game surfaces. Each playing surface may have one or more pockets for receiving playing objects. Pockets existing in adjacent playing surfaces are connected by a conduit, and the conduit forms a pathway between adjacent playing surfaces. In one form of the play equipment having three or more play surfaces, the conduit connected to the pocket on the intermediate play surface forms a passage from the intermediate play surface to both the upper side and the lower side. These conduits include guides or guides. The guide unit interacts with a play object entering the pocket associated with the conduit, and guides the play object to an upper or lower play surface depending on factors such as the speed of the play object.

  The play equipment (play equipment) and methods described below include play equipment and methods that have been modified or improved (modified) in many ways from the play equipment and methods disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,712,710. It is. First, the shape of the conduit is one of the categories of curvilinear shapes, in particular generally three-dimensional curvilinear shapes or spirals (or spirals). The back wall of the conduit is composed of a tightly curved lower part and then a gently curved upper part. With these shapes, a space for the existence of the game object is maintained, and the game object can be accelerated upward without using movable parts. Furthermore, the moving ramp necessary for enabling the play object to move to a different level (playing surface) is not required at all due to the transition ramp existing in the curved conduit. By using the improved conduit provided herein, the middle level no longer requires fins or shooters to accelerate the play object.

  The form, size and shape of the conduit has also been improved or improved to improve performance. The back wall of each such conduit has been expanded to maximize the allowable shooting angle of the playable object. The side part (side part) of the back wall has an angle of about 15 ° in each direction, so that a play object traveling obliquely at 15 ° or less toward the side part directly hits the back wall, It becomes easier to move to the next higher level. In other words, by hitting the back wall of the conduit, the back portion of the conduit is formed assuming that a contact that is off center by about 15 ° contacts the back wall of the conduit.

  On the playing surface, an acceleration plate is provided around the pocket (surrounding the pocket). The acceleration plate is made of a smooth low friction material such as plastic or metal. Each acceleration plate is slightly inclined in the range of about +3 to −3 ° with respect to the accompanying (close) pocket. In a preferred embodiment of the pocket billiard game, the acceleration plate is tilted by about 1 ° (about + 1 °) when playing a game that moderately motivates the player. When the acceleration plate is negatively inclined, the level of the game using the play object tends to be lowered (becomes simple). If it is tilted at an angle of about + 1 °, the movement of the game object (sphere) is suppressed, so that the game object such as a sphere spontaneously moves based on the movement from the outside (for example, the vibration of the game board itself). Prevents you from entering your pocket. Further, since the acceleration plate is slightly curved by the 1 ° angle, the game level is changed to a more difficult level. Each accelerating plate is located in the apron of the pocket opening (or arranged in a front shape) (aprons). Furthermore, the acceleration plate may be slightly conical. With such a shape, it is easy to guide the game object toward the central region of the pocket associated with the acceleration plate. The acceleration plate angle and the slight conical shape of the acceleration plate and the smooth surface of the acceleration plate (relative to the remaining higher friction surface of the playing surface, which may be covered with a material such as felt). In combination, the game object is guided, and when the game object reaches the acceleration plate while moving toward the accompanying pocket, the game object is accelerated. When the game object enters the pocket at a faster speed in the middle game surface, the performance of moving the game object to the upper game surface instead of the lower game surface due to the increased acceleration of the game object (movement) Improved). If the player softly hits the game object, the game object is likely to go down through the conduit. The overall effect is to create a play equipment that can refine and improve the player's skills.

  A further improvement is the provision of an overhang in the conduit located above the pocket. Such an extending portion extending toward the adjacent playing surface makes it easy to control the playing object and prevents the playing object from flying up and off. Additional parts that can guide the play object are also included in the extension portion of the conduit existing in a layer other than the top layer or the bottom layer. The additional part extends downward from the extending portion toward the play surface.

  The region adjacent to the pocket is also improved by adding a “director” region. That is, the guide area is provided by an extended plastic (or the like) part of the pocket rim. The induction area extends from the playing surface at an angle of about 45 °, the width is about 3/4 inch, and is inclined downward toward the opening of the hole. By providing the guiding area, it is possible to guide (direct) the bounding of the game object (for example, the game object moving downward from the game object guiding unit on the conduit wall). In particular, in a plurality of levels of play equipment, the possibility that a play object falls from the top level to the bottom level without going out to an intermediate level is reduced. Using the induction area, the corner of the play stand where the pocket hole is provided is about 1 ″ below the raised bump of the induction area. The game object is the rising area of the induction area. When descending to the pocket area without touching the guide area, the guidance area inclined downward by about 45 ° is directed toward the closest playing surface, rather than the playing object hitting the edge of the non-chamfered playing surface. Assist in jumping in, and assist in moving down the hierarchy.

  As an improvement on the play surface, a turnable design can be mentioned. The game surface itself may be inverted (turned), and the game surface may be turned upside down (front and back) (or top and bottom), and the bottom may be the game surface. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the playing surface includes a honeycomb-like design, which in addition to providing a surface on which a playing object may be placed, Giving structural integrity to the playing surface. In another embodiment, the playing surface may be modified with an insert sheet (a sheet that can be inserted or fitted) made of a low friction material. The low friction material sticks directly to the playing surface and covers part or all of the playing surface. Such an insertion sheet changes the performance of the surface of the play surface, and enables games such as hockey and games using a play object that is not substantially spherical.

  As a further improvement, there is a method of using a bar piece means that can move the play object. Such bar pieces have a length of 30 inches or longer or longer than 30 inches.

  The present invention also includes an assembly of a playground that does not require tools and a disassembled product of the playground. A molded and connectable alignment pin and a receiving region present along the snap connection allow assembly by snap if hand pressure is applied.

(Detailed description of preferred embodiments)
1 to 16, FIG. 18, FIG. 20 to FIG. 22 and FIG. 24 to FIG. 28 show a three-level playground equipment which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The table game shown is a pocket billiard. However, other games requiring movable game objects are also included in the scope of the present invention. Table hockey is another embodiment, in which case the insert is made of smooth plastic, cardboard or cardboard, plywood or the like that is cut to fit the playing surface and has a low surface friction. is required. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include one or more reversible play surfaces, as illustrated in FIGS.

  The table game to be played is billiards (pocket billiards) and is also referred to as a corresponding game piece (game object) (in this specification, "game object" or "game game object (game game object)"). ) Is generally spherical (also referred to herein as a “sphere”), the player may use a cue stick, a cue ball or the like to hit the play ball. Thereby, playing balls enter the pockets (accepting area for the game object) present at the corners of the game surface. The aligned pockets at each corner are connected to each other by a generally upright conduit 136. The conduit 136 between the top and middle level pockets causes the sphere to move down from the top level to the middle level or from the middle level to the top level. And move up. The conduits that exist between the middle and lower pockets allow the sphere to move in either direction between the lower and middle layers. It should be noted that the pockets in the middle hierarchy are connected to both the conduit extending upward toward the top hierarchy and the conduit extending downward toward the bottom hierarchy. It is. A ball or other play object that enters such a pocket from an intermediate level can selectively advance either up or down depending on the speed imparted to the ball. If the speed of the sphere is slow enough, the sphere will go down to the lowest level. If the sphere is fast enough, the sphere will move up towards the top level. The movement of such a sphere is the same in the lowest layer, and a sphere having a high speed can move upward, and a sphere having a low speed can be moved from a pocket to a receiving portion or a receiving portion (or a reservoir) (or a reservoir). It will move down to the reservoir or collector.

  FIG. 2 shows the downward movement of the sphere, and FIG. 3 shows the upward movement of the sphere. 4-12 are enlarged views showing more detailed movement of the sphere in various manners, such as moving into and out of the pocket.

  20 to 22 show the acceleration plate 140 in particular. The acceleration plate 140 is provided in front of each corner pocket of a surface 34. As mentioned above, the accelerator plate has a smooth, low friction upper surface or upper surface and the main part of the playing surface 34 in which the sphere is covered with a higher friction material such as felt. When the main portion is left and the acceleration plate having a low friction is reached, the sphere can be easily accelerated toward the pocket. In addition, each acceleration plate is inclined slightly upward toward the associated pocket, making it easier to control the movement of the sphere, preventing the sphere from rotating unexpectedly toward the pocket, Assists “ramping up” to help move to the upper playing surface. The acceleration plate may also be slightly conical or channel shaped. With such a shape, it is easy to guide a slowly moving sphere toward the center of the pocket.

  As shown in FIGS. 27 and 20, the director region 150 has one side adjacent to the pocket rim or mouth and the other side adjacent to the acceleration plate. The induction area 150 is provided on the rim of the pocket and is characterized by an extended plastic (or the like) part made of plastic or the like. The induction area extends from the playing surface at an angle of about 45 °, the width is about 3/4 inch, and is inclined downward toward the hole. This guidance area assists in guiding the bounce of the game object 110 (eg, a game object moving downward from a game piece director 148 present on the conduit wall). In particular, in the play equipment having a plurality of hierarchies, the possibility that the play object falls from the uppermost hierarchy to the lowermost hierarchy without going out to the intermediate hierarchy is reduced. Using the guidance area 150, the corner of the play stand where the pocket hole is provided is about 1 ″ below the transition ramp 152. The game object touches the pass ramp 152. When descending into the pocket area without the guide area 150 inclined downward by about 45 °, the game object 110 is directed toward the closest game surface rather than hitting the edge of the game surface that is not chamfered. Assist in jumping in, and assist in moving down the hierarchy.

  Figures 13 and 16 best show the shape of the conduit 136 as viewed from the side. The lower portion 132 of each conduit is generally curvilinear, forming a relatively steep (steep) bend with a relatively small radius, and the upper portion 134 of each conduit is curved with a larger radius, A relatively shallow bend is formed leading to the next higher playing level. Such a configuration of the conduit causes the ball that travels at a high speed to move upward from the lower playing surface to the adjacent upper playing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the geometry of the conduit is substantially a three-dimensional curved shape (helical shape), but other modified three-dimensional curved shapes (deformed helical shapes) or modified curved shapes may be used. . In addition, the curved or helical conduit shape includes the passage ramp 152, eliminating the need for moving parts necessary to controllably transfer a game object between each game hierarchy.

  Also, as best shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, a lip or retainer portion or overhang 146 is provided to project in the forward direction of the entrance of each pocket. . The length of the extension part 146 is in the range of about 0.5 to 2 inches. In particular, when the ball rapidly moves upward and jumps out of the pocket toward the top of the game surface, the extension is positioned so as to prevent the ball from coming out of the game surface due to excessive movement of the ball. . This is particularly shown in FIGS. In a preferred embodiment, the extension of the intermediate layer has one or more ribs 145 on the back side (see FIG. 10). Such ribs form a raised protruding pattern (about 0.08 inches high) to guide and control the sphere.

  FIG. 14 shows in particular the shape of the conduit as seen from above (the AA horizontal sectional view shown in FIG. 15). The side walls are slightly angled outward and extend from the pocket opening toward the back wall of the associated conduit. The back wall of the conduit is wider than the pocket opening. In a preferred embodiment, the side walls widen at an angle of about 15 °, but the angle may be increased to about 30 ° depending on the desired play behavior. In a preferred embodiment, a sphere passing through the pocket opening at an angle of about 15 ° or less relative to one side or the other side avoids contact with the side wall and makes direct and first contact with the back wall. Is possible. Such movement of the sphere keeps the energy necessary to move the sphere to the adjacent upper layer to the maximum.

  In FIG. 29, a preferred embodiment of a game piede director 148 is illustrated. The play object guide 148 is a removable plastic piece that is snap-pressed into the inner curved portion of the upper portion 134 of the conduit 136. As shown in the figure, the game object guiding unit 148 assists in directing the game object 110 such as a sphere toward the center of the back surface of the bending unit. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the game object guiding unit (the game object guiding unit 148b which is another embodiment) minimizes the bounce of the game object, and the game object smoothly promotes the curved portion of the conduit. To do. As shown in FIG. 28, the non-assembled conduit 136 is nestedly coupled (nested coupling) according to the removable aspect of the game object guiding portion 148 and the selected shape. 24, 25 and 26 further illustrate a feature for guiding a ball, that is, a game object guide 149. FIG.

  As can be easily understood from FIGS. 16, 29 and 30, the playground of the present invention can be assembled “tool-free”, in which case the connectable arrangement and the structural securing element. It is characterized by having. FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the arrangement pin 138, and FIG. 27 shows a receiving slot of the pin 138b. A further possible tool-free structure is a snap connection (snap connector) 154 as shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 17 shows a play table 101 having two levels, and FIG. 19 shows a play table 103 having three or more levels. Due to the modularity of the conduit structure, the number of levels of the play stand can be increased or adjusted according to the desired play environment.

  In addition, changing the size (scale) of the play equipment, such as miniature size, is inherent in the design of the present invention.

  Such various sizes (scales) can include all or any combination of features taught herein. The play object may be moved by hand or using any device (instrument). FIG. 18 shows a stick that can be used in billiards. The size of the bar piece may be increased, and even in such a case, it can be made portable by two connectable parts. A preferred embodiment includes a 36 inch long bar piece assembled from two parts. Preferred embodiments include billiard pool cue as a bar piece and billiard balls as a play object. The size of the spherical play object may be in a range from a full-scale billiard ball (diameter: 2.25 inches) to a ball bearing (diameter: about 0.375 inches). The preferred size in the preferred embodiment is on the order of 1.5 inches in diameter. The material constituting the play object may be resin, rubber, plastic, glass, foam, or wood or metal if desired. The play object may have a disk shape that can be used in table hockey. Also, other shapes may be used so that a desired game can be suggested.

  The game surface itself may be modified to be changeable. The playing surface 102 itself may be inverted (turned) (see FIG. 23) so that the upper and lower sides (front and back) (or top and bottom) of the playing surface may be turned upside down, and the bottom may be used as the playing surface. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the playing surface includes a honeycomb-like design, which in addition to providing a surface on which a playing object may be placed, Giving structural integrity to the playing surface. In another embodiment, the playing surface may be modified with an insert sheet (a sheet that can be inserted or fitted) made of a low friction material. The low friction material sticks directly to the playing surface and covers part or all of the playing surface. Such an insertion sheet can change the performance of the surface of the playing surface, and enables games such as hockey and games that are not substantially spherical. In addition, the play table (playing equipment) can be scaled from a portable mini-travel size to a larger size that is not intended for portable use. Furthermore, the playground equipment may be an assembly unit type, allowing the user to add or reduce layers as desired.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a play apparatus (table game) of three layers, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of the play equipment of FIG. 1, showing the movement of the sphere from the upper level to the lower level. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional side view of the play equipment of FIG. 1, showing the movement of the sphere from the lower level to the upper level. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic partial sectional side view showing the movement of the sphere from the top level to the lower level. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic partial sectional side view showing how the sphere reaches from the upper layer to the lower layer. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic partial sectional side view showing a state in which the sphere moves from the middle layer toward the lower layer. FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view showing how the sphere reaches from the upper level to the lower level. FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing a state where the sphere leaves the lowest level and moves downward toward the receiving port. FIG. 9 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing the sphere leaving the lower section and moving toward the upper section. FIG. 10 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing a state in which the sphere moves upward from the lower level toward the middle level. FIG. 11 is an enlarged schematic partial side sectional view showing a state where the sphere leaves the middle layer and moves upward toward the upper layer. FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the state of a sphere that moves upward toward the upper level. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional side view showing the pockets and conduits connecting the lower, middle and upper layers. FIG. 14 is a schematic partial plan view showing a pocket and associated conduit with an enlarged receiving angle. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the pockets and conduits accommodating the lower, middle and upper levels of the playing surface. FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a play equipment similar to that shown in FIG. 1 having a play surface of two layers instead of three layers. FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of a stick, a ball, and a set of play balls. FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a play equipment similar to that shown in FIG. 1 having four levels of play surfaces. FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of a play surface in which an acceleration plate is provided in a pocket at each corner. FIG. 21 is a perspective plan view of one of the acceleration plates. FIG. 22 is a side view of one of the acceleration plates. FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the improved play equipment, where the play surface may be inverted to provide a plurality of play surfaces for use in another style of play. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the ball guide portion. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the ball guide portion. FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the ball guide portion. FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of the pocket portion of the play equipment. FIG. 28 shows the state of the play equipment in the non-assembled state according to the preferred embodiment. FIG. 29 shows a detachable plate used on the inner surface of the conduit, referred to as a game object guide. FIG. 30 shows the shape of a play board and a conduit that are connected without a tool.

Claims (17)

It is an improved play equipment that is composed of a plurality of layers and is used for playing with a plurality of movable objects, and supports a plurality of play surfaces that are generally horizontal and the play surfaces that are generally stacked on each other. A structure and at least one conduit connected to and extending to the object receptacle structure of each two adjacent said playing surfaces, each said playing surface comprising a raised boundary and at least one An object receiving structure or a pocket, and the support structure holds the game surface with a sufficient space between adjacent game surfaces so that a player can use the lower adjacent game surface; Provides a path for the object to move between the two game planes,
It is located in the apron of the object receptacle structure, is composed of a material with a different friction level from the material of the playing surface, and is arranged in a positive or negative angle with respect to the playing surface, and generally in a three-dimensional curved shape A play equipment that is improved by having a conduit.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the conduit has a generally curved shape, and the curved shape allows the play object to move upward without providing a further moving portion.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the conduit further has a passage ramp.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the conduit further has an extending portion functioning to assist in controlling the play object.   The improved play equipment according to claim 3, wherein the extension portion further has a rib that functions to assist the control of the play object and protrudes downward. The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the conduit has one or more of the following forms for controllably guiding a play object on its inner surface.
Play object guide section generally horizontal; Play object guide section generally vertical; Guide area inclined downward between the acceleration plate and the pocket rim; and a play object provided on the inner surface of the conduit including the upper part of the three-dimensional curved structure Guide part   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the play object is substantially spherical.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, further comprising a bar piece for imparting motion to the play object.   The improved play equipment according to claim 7, wherein the length of the bar piece is 30 inches or more.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the play object is substantially one disk.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the play surface can be reversed.   The improved play equipment according to claim 1, wherein the conduit and the playing surface include a shaped connectable region, whereby the hand can be assembled and disassembled by a human hand.   An improved game method for playing with a playground equipment configured to play using a moving object that is composed of a plurality of levels, and providing a plurality of play surfaces that are stacked at a predetermined interval and generally horizontal. And a step of providing a plurality of moving objects and a means for the player to move the selected moving object along the playing surface, and a step of providing a guide means in the interactive pocket. An improved game method, wherein the game surface is at least one game surface, at least one game surface, and at least one between the first game surface and the first game surface. Two intermediate play surfaces, the intermediate play surface having at least one bidirectional pocket and communicating with both the upper and lower play surfaces via a conduit; The guide means moves a moving object into the pocket. Depending on the speed of the body, the play level is adjusted by adjusting the friction of at least one play surface in a game method in which the moving object is moved alternately by moving toward the upper or lower play surface. Improved play method to adjust.   The improved game method according to claim 12, further comprising means for changing one or more game surfaces to be exchangeable so that different games can be played using different game objects.   The improved game method according to claim 12, further comprising selecting one movable play object that is substantially spherical.   The improved game method according to claim 12, further comprising selecting one movable play object that is substantially non-spherical. The improved game method according to claim 12, further comprising stacking three or more game surfaces.

Images