JP6022571B2 - Ball game device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention has at least one lane that is tilted in the working state, the lane being provided by a starting means for introducing the ball into the lane, a target device for receiving the ball from the lane, and a plurality of boundary walls. , Regarding a ball game device that is divided all around.

Such a structure has already been known for a very long time, for example, from Patent Document 1. In this document, a horizontal starting surface is provided, and the starting surface transitions to an inclined lane having boundary walls on both sides. The bottom edge of the sloping lane transitions to a horizontal, substantially circular plate. The plate is not only partitioned all around, but also divided into multiple regions within the plate by other boundary means. The ball, which is pushed from the starting surface toward the inclined lane, runs over the lane, on the plate, and randomly to one of a plurality of regions. Therefore, the outcome of the game is determined by in which area the ball rolls.

Other gaming devices include a plurality of identical, side-by-side, vertically provided lanes with detached members. The target device for receiving the disc in the lane is divided into a plurality of areas (see Patent Document 2). The outcome of the game, on the one hand, is determined here, for each lane, by which area the disc reaches at the end, and each area is randomly assigned an evaluation means. On the other hand, the results of multiple lanes are combined with each other based on predetermined rules.

GB 191024805 A US5,016,879 A

An object of the invention of interest is to provide a ball game device in which the outcome of the game is determined in a manner different from that due to the random spatial position of the ball after passing on the lane. As a result, it is possible to avoid a complicated receiving means having a plurality of areas and a complicated evaluation means connected to the receiving means for determining the result of the game.

The problem is that a plurality of the same lanes having a member to be attached for deflecting the ball are provided side by side or vertically separated from each other, and a timekeeping means is provided for each lane. The timekeeping means solves the problem by being able to measure the travel time required for the ball to pass a predetermined area of the lane between the starting means and the target device using at least one sensor. ..

Depending on the random collision point of the ball in the mounted member of each lane, the ball in one lane must pass through a predetermined area of the lane (usually including all lanes) in the other lane. It takes longer than a ball. For each lane, the timekeeping means measures the ball's travel time, i.e., the travel time the ball takes for a given area. The outcome of the game depends on the time required to pass on the lane or on an area of the lane.

Thus, one can bet on a predetermined result of the game, for example, in which lane the ball will have the shortest or longest travel time.

Therefore, it is not necessary that the target device in any given lane has a plurality of isolated regions and the ball can stop in these regions. The target device usually has only one area. In this area, the ball coming out at the end of the lane is caught.

At least two lanes are provided. There is basically no upper limit to the number of lanes. However, more than 10 lanes have little meaning. Because the viewer cannot see so many lanes. Thus, for example, 6 or 8 lanes are often provided side by side or above and below.

The lanes are usually juxtaposed at the same height during the lap of the game, as the viewer sees which ball is just the fastest right now, so which ball is further forward or backward. This is because it is possible to recognize whether it is located. At this time, the viewer is in front of the lane and looks up from one or more target devices to one or more starting means along the direction of movement of the ball.

However, the plurality of lanes may be jointly provided above and below. At this time, the viewer looks at the lane from the side, and more specifically, sees the ball move from the top right (or left), that is, from the starting means, to the bottom left (or right), that is, to the target device.

In addition to travel time in all areas, one or more mid-term clocks could be measured. To this end, the timekeeping means is timed as follows, i.e., at at least one point in the predetermined area, for example, by providing the sensor in the predetermined area, and the sensor is laned. It must be configured to detect the passage of the ball over its cross section.

An arithmetic unit may be provided so that the shortest or longest travel time can be determined easily and quickly. The arithmetic unit can be used to record the travel times of balls in all lanes as measured by the timekeeping means and compare them to each other. This arithmetic unit would record midway timekeeping if necessary.

The lane may be a flat plate in the simplest case. In this case, the ball game device can have a frame structure when the lanes are arranged side by side. The frame structure has at least a plurality of boundary walls between the plurality of lanes. The plate can be inserted into this frame structure by shape coupling. In this way, the lane can be quickly replaced with another lane provided with a different attachment member for deflecting the ball. It is not essential in this case to attach the lanes separately to the frame structure, for example with screws, bolts, etc., but to prevent deformation of the lanes by, for example, a searchlight provided above the lanes. Can be installed.

But also, the lane, or the plate forming the lane, may be provided with irregularities. As long as the concavo-convex portion is provided only on the upper surface of the plate forming the lane or running surface for the ball and the back surface of the plate is flat, the plate is similarly inserted into the frame structure by shape coupling. Will be able to.

The board may be made of wood, metal or plastic, for example PVC, regardless of its shape. All boards used in the laps of the game should be made of the same board to eliminate the difference in the effect on ball velocity due to the material of the lane.

It is preferable that the lane has a plurality of pins as a mounted member for deflecting the ball. It is also preferred that metal pins be used. However, plastic pins can also be used. The pins are provided perpendicular to the lane, especially perpendicular to the board. The pin shaft, in this case, should protrude from the lane by a dimension greater than half the diameter of the ball used. Its purpose is to ensure deflection at right angles to the pins. Depending on the distance between the pins, the two pins form a barrier to the ball or allow the ball to pass through. A lane with a member to be attached is manufactured by a precision machine. The purpose is that multiple lanes are actually as identical as possible.

A ball barrier can also be formed by having one or more bands strained across the pins as attached members to deflect the ball. When the band, such as the rubber band, is elastic, this creates a variety of bounce effects on the ball, in addition to acting as a barrier.

Other types of barriers can be manufactured by attaching the wheel to the pin and instead of the ball reaching the pin, the ball is caught in an extension of the wheel, which causes the wheel to rotate and By doing this, the ball itself changes the direction of movement and the speed of movement.

Of course, other passive attachment members for changing the direction of movement and / or speed of the ball, especially for braking the ball, such as metal strips or plastic strips, are also available. It is possible. An active attached member that throws the ball by force when the ball comes into contact with the ball is also conceivable. Such mounted members are known, for example, in pinball machines, where they are referred to as pop bumpers (Schlagtuerme) (“bumpers”). The backlash is caused by a metal ring on the pop bumper. This metal ring is located on the ball in the stationary state. When recording the contact of the ball, the ring is pulled down with great force and velocity by the solenoid under the pop bumper, which causes the ball to be thrown out of the pop bumper.

It can be intended that the slope of the lane is adjustable in order to change the behavior of the ball when the laps of the game are different. This can be achieved by the lane and / or the frame structure supporting the lane being adjustable, especially swivel, relative to the fixed substrate. The slope of the lane with respect to the horizon is effectively greater than 10 °, because otherwise the ball often gets caught or rolls only very slowly, up to 90 °. is there. However, the tilt is preferably in the range of 30 ° to 70 °, in particular different adjustment angles of 30 °, 45 ° and 70 ° are possible.

The tilt can be adjusted steplessly, for example, mechanically, fixedly, with a preset hook, or with a hydraulic device. In the latter case, various positions can be stored and automatically adjusted in the arithmetic unit.

In or near the starting means, in the simplest case, a flap is provided that opens the way to the lane, which can be opened by an electrical signal. This signal can be generated, for example, manually, by a push button or by input by an arithmetic unit. The signal then activates to open the flaps of all lanes at the same time. It would be possible to provide a lever to be used to manually open all lanes at the same time. A magnet or mechanical device may be provided to automatically close the flap. The former can be similarly actuated by pushbuttons (or via arithmetic units) and with electrical signals, and the latter can be actuated manually via the lever used to open the flaps again. it can.

Embodiments of the present invention provide illumination for each lane. This light is aligned along the lane and therefore illuminates along the lane. The lane can be turned on at the beginning of the area, for example by opening the flap or by activating the timekeeping means, and off at the end of the area by turning off the timekeeping means. This allows the viewer to observe the course of the ball well along the lane, on the one hand, because it is illuminated all over, and on the other hand, to the viewer, in which lane the ball is already , You can see if you have reached the target, or in which lane you have not yet reached.

In addition, different lighting for each lane may be provided. This light is connected to the arithmetic unit and is turned on depending on the outcome of the game, for example, according to the position of the balls on the individual lanes. For example, this light flashes only in the lane with the fastest ball in the lap of the game, or in a different color in the lane with the second fastest ball, or even in the lane with the third fastest ball. , Flashes in different colors. This can be achieved, for example, with LEDs of different colors.

A display for displaying the measured travel times of all lanes at the same time is advantageous. This allows all travel times to be recognized at a glance. The display may be realized in the form of a screen. This screen may be provided, for example, in a fixed substrate or on the surface of the substrate.

In addition to the travel time, the display shows the respective ranks reached by the balls in each lane, ie, 1st place for the fastest ball, 2nd place for the second fastest ball, and so on.

A method for operating a ball game device according to the present invention is to insert a ball into at least two lane starting means, for example, by opening the flaps simultaneously, from the starting means into each lane. This simultaneously initiates the measurement of travel time by the timekeeping means, stops the measurement of travel time for any lane after the ball has passed the sensor of the timekeeping means, and the measured travel time. It is intended to output the result of the game based on.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The side view of the ball game apparatus which concerns on this invention which has a plurality of lanes arranged side by side is shown. The front view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. The plan view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. The perspective view of the ball game apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown. A perspective view of a lane in the form of a flat plate is shown. The plan view of the lane of FIG. 5 is shown. A side view of a ball game apparatus according to the present invention having a plurality of lanes provided above and below is shown.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the ball game device according to the present invention. This front view has a fixed substrate 7 that can be placed on the floor or table. A frame structure 6 is attached to the substrate 7 by a hinge 11 near the front side of the substrate 7. The frame structure 6 is composed of seven boundary walls 4 provided substantially parallel to each other and at the same intervals. These boundary walls are connected to each other by connecting plates 14 and 15. Next, the starting means 2 can be attached to the upper connecting plate 14, and the target device 3 can be attached to the lower connecting plate 15. The flap 9a, shown here in the closed position, prevents the ball from rolling from the starting means 2 into the lane 1. The flap is opened and closed by the flap control means 16.

In addition to the flap 9a, in this embodiment, it is optional that a slider 9 is further provided for each lane 1. The slider is provided above (ie, on the side of the flap 9a away from lane 1) and is shown in the closed position. The slider allows for further steps in the progress of the game. That is, when the ball is inserted into the starting means 2, it rotates forward to the slider 9. Only before the start of rotation of the ball is the slider 9 opened and the ball can rotate to the flap 9a. Only when the flap 9a is opened does the ball reach lane 1.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the ball ball game device of FIG. I am looking at the ball game device from diagonally above. The substrate 7 is provided with a display 10 of game results in the form of a screen. The game can be started by the push button 13. The signal generated by the push button 13 opens the flap 9a via the flap control means 16. Here, the flaps are lowered by 90 ° so that they are flush with the lanes that are not visible here.

The starting means 2 for all lanes is designed here as a portion of each lane forming a box that is closed downward and on three sides in succession to two adjacent boundary walls 4. The two side walls of the box extend to the boundary wall 4 (s) and then to the common back wall of all the boxes. Similarly, the target device 3 for all lanes is designed here as a portion of each lane forming a box that is closed downward and on three sides in succession to two adjacent boundary walls 4. There is. The two side walls of the box extend to the common back wall of all the boxes, following the plurality of boundary walls 4.

The bottom of the box forming the starting means 2 may have a plurality of recesses. The purpose is to determine one or more predetermined starting positions of the ball behind the flap 9a. If so, there would be multiple grooves parallel to the lanes and parallel to each other. Therefore, the ball then rolls forward to the flap 9a in one of these grooves. Only one recess may be provided per box to determine the very predetermined starting position of the ball, for example in the center of lane 1. The recess is tapered from the rear wall of the starting means 2 to the center of the flap 9a. Therefore, the ball can only roll from the rear wall to one position in the center in front of the flap 9a.
In the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, where the plurality of flaps 9a are tilted forward in the direction of lane 1, these recesses are on the rear wall of the flaps 9a, i.e., in the closed state of the flaps 9a. It may be formed on the rear wall which faces outward from the lane 1 and forms flush with the flap in the open state of the flap 9a. Therefore, the rear wall of the flap 9a could have a plurality of similar recesses, such as grooves. The ball rolls into a predetermined recess in the starting means 2, and along the recess, the ball rolls into lane 1 after the flap 9a opens. Alternatively, the rear wall of the flap 9a may be provided with only one recess. This recess is tapered from bottom to top when the flap 9a is closed. Therefore, after the flap 9a is opened, the ball can roll in this recess to a position in the center of the flap 9a, and thus also only to the center of the flap 9a.

A rotatable bracket 12 is attached to the lower side of the frame structure 6. The bracket can be lowered into the various notches of the two hook strips 17 attached to the substrate 7. The purpose is to determine the inclination of the frame structure 6 and therefore also the lane.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the ball game device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows a plan view. The inserted lane 1, which is formed here in the form of a flat plate, is also shown here, but without the attached member.

In the case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a transparent cover in the form of, for example, a glass plate may be provided. This cover covers all lanes 1 and prevents external influences on the movement of individual balls.

Lighting of individual lanes, which is turned on at the beginning of the travel time measurement and turned off after the end of the travel time measurement, is provided by a light provided on the subsequent wall of the box formed by the starting means 2. can do.

Lighting for displaying the order reached by the balls in lane 1 can be realized by a plurality of LEDs having different colors. These LEDs are mounted along lane 1 at the boundary walls 4 on both sides.

The attached member of the lane 1 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Both figures show lane 1 in the form of a flat plate, respectively, in perspective and plain view, respectively. The lane 1 has a plurality of pins 5 as a member to be attached. In FIG. 6, each pin is shown as a small circle or dot. A plurality of bands 8 can be strained around two or more pins 5. These bands are used as obstacles for rolling balls and are shown here as lines or polygons. In practice, an annular rubber band that is easily strained around the two pins 5 can be used here. A wheel 18 may be attached to the pin 5 so that the wheel can rotate about the pin 5. The wheel, like a water wheel, has multiple protrusions. A ball is caught in these protrusions, and the ball rotates the wheel 18 and changes its own speed and direction.

Reference numeral 19 indicates a measurement area during intermediate timekeeping. Reference numeral 20 indicates a measurement region of travel time. Here, for example, the boundary wall 4 must be provided with one sensor, for example, an optical barrier, which can detect the passage of a ball.

The lane illumination (not shown here) is the only light and may be provided, for example, on the rear wall of the starting means 2. The purpose is that the light beam extends parallel to lane 1. The switch for lighting is connected to the flap control means 16. The purpose is to turn on the light when the flap 9a is opened. The light is turned off when the sensor detects the passage of the ball from the measurement range 20.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a ball game device according to the present invention, which has a plurality of lanes 1 provided above and below. Here, six identical lanes 1, i.e., lanes 5 and 6, are provided one above the other in parallel and congruently, and thus aligned with each other, and are attached to the base plate 21 at the longitudinal edge. There is. This can be done by shape coupling, for example by the corresponding recesses formed in the base plate 21. Therefore, multiple lanes can be easily exchanged.

These lanes 1 are perpendicular to the base plate 21. The starting means, which would have to be on the right edge of lane 1, the flaps, and the target device, which would have to be on the left edge of lane 1, are not shown here. In this embodiment, in any case, a transparent cover must be provided parallel to the base plate 21 along the other longitudinal edge of the lane 1. The purpose is that the ball does not roll forward (away from the base plate 21) out of lane 1.

In the operating state, the base plate 21 remains vertical, but is tilted to the lower left. Therefore, lane 1 is tilted to the lower left, and in each lane the ball can rotate from upper right to lower left only by gravity. Starting means, lighting, lane tilting means, and gameplay (Spielablauf) are provided similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

The width of lane 1 is usually a multiple of the diameter of the ball, eg, 5 to 15 times, in particular, eg 10 times, in all embodiments. In the present embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 7, the diameter of the ball is about 1 cm and the width of the lane 1 is about 10 cm.

The length of lane 1 is basically a multiple of the width, at least 3 times, for example 10 to 20 times. In this embodiment of FIG. 1 None 7, the length of lane 1 is 140 cm, and is therefore about 14 times the width.

The ball may usually be a metal ball, particularly a full metal ball, such as a full steel ball. The ball can complete many game laps without damage or deformation. Of course, other materials such as plastic solid balls or hollow balls can be used.

Functions of the present invention

When the game lap is started, each ball is first inserted into the starting means 2 in at least two lanes. The bottom of each starting means 2 is tilted to exactly the same degree as lane 1, so that the ball comes into contact with each flap 9a. The movement of the ball during the game lap is made only by gravity.

By pressing the push button 13, all flaps 9a are opened simultaneously and the ball rolls from the starting means 2 into each lane 1. At the same time when the push button 13 is pressed, the measurement of the movement time by the time measuring means starts. When the flap 9a opens, the flap is lowered away from the starting means 2. Therefore, the flaps are coplanar with lane 1 and the ball enters lane 1 through the open flaps 9a.

When the ball in lane 1 reaches the measurement area 19 of the halfway timing, the sensor transmits a signal to the calculation unit in the measurement area 19. The arithmetic unit reads the corresponding time from the timekeeping means and outputs it to the display 10 as an intermediate timekeeping.

When the ball in lane 1 reaches the travel time measurement region 20 at the end of the lane, the sensor transmits a signal to the arithmetic unit in the measurement region 20. The arithmetic unit reads the corresponding time from the timekeeping means and outputs it to the display 10 as the travel time.

The arithmetic unit compares at least all the travel times with each other and determines the order. Therefore, on the display 10, it is output which lane each ball has passed through, the fastest, the second fastest, and so on, or the slowest. Correspondingly, the possible lighting of the lane can be turned on for the display of ball ranking. After the sensor detects the passage of the ball in the measurement area 20, the measurement of the travel time by the timekeeping means of the lane is stopped. The ball is captured in each target device.

The flap 9a must be closed again and the ball must be reinserted into the starting means 2 for a new game lap. On the one hand, the movement of the ball in the starting means 2 can be performed manually. On the other hand, mechanical transport means, such as conveyor belts or worm conveyors, will provide automatic ball transport.

1 Lane 2 Starting means 3 Target device 4 Boundary wall 5 pins 6 Frame structure 7 Base 8 Band 9 Slider 9a Flap 10 Display 11 Hinge 12 Bracket 13 Push button 14 Upper connecting plate 15 Lower connecting plate 16 Flap control means 17 Stop strip 18 Wheel 19 Measurement area for halfway timekeeping 20 Measurement area for travel time
21 base plate

Claims (10)

It has at least one lane (1) that is tilted in the operating state, the lane having a starting means (2) for introducing the ball into the lane and a target device (3) for receiving the ball from the lane. , In a ball game device that is partitioned by a plurality of boundary walls (4).
A plurality of identical lanes (1) having attached members (5, 8, 18) for deflecting the ball are provided side by side or vertically separated from each other, and time is measured for each lane. Means are provided, and the timekeeping means, using at least one sensor, the movement required for the ball to pass a predetermined area of the lane between the starting means (2) and the target device (3). A ball game device characterized in that time can be measured. The ball game device according to claim 1, wherein at least one other sensor of the timekeeping means for determining the intermediate timekeeping is provided in the predetermined area. The ball according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a calculation unit for detecting and comparing the movement times of the balls in all lanes (1) measured by the timekeeping means is provided. Game device. The lane (1) is characterized in that it is a particularly flat plate that can be inserted by shape into a frame structure (6) having at least the plurality of boundary walls (4) between the plurality of lanes (1). The ball game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The lane (1) has a plurality of pins (5) as mounting members for deflecting the ball, and additionally, if necessary, a plurality of bands tensioned over the plurality of pins (1). 8) The ball game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a wheel (18) attached to the pin and / or a pin is provided as an attached member for deflecting the ball. apparatus. The ball game device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inclination of the lane (1) is adjustable. A flap (9a) is provided in or near the starting means (2) to pave the way for the lane (1), which can be opened by an electrical signal. The ball game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ball game device is provided. The ball game device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each lane (1) is provided with lighting arranged along the lane. The ball game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a display (10) for simultaneously displaying the measured travel times of all the lanes (1) is provided. By inserting the ball into the starting means of at least two lanes (1) and opening the ball, for example, the flap (9a) at the same time, from the starting means (2) to each of the lanes (1). Insert, thereby simultaneously starting the measurement of the travel time by the timekeeping means and stopping the measurement of the travel time for any lane (1) after the ball has passed the sensor of the timekeeping means. The method of operating the ball game device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the result of the game is output based on the measured travel time.

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