JPS584574A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an entertainment game device having a ball and a game board, such as a bottle ball or other ball game device for moving the board, and more particularly, to an entertainment game device having a variable opening position gate and a kicking device. The invention relates to an improved game device that uses

One type of gating device that can be used with the present invention is that disclosed in Application No. 262,227 R Gaming Gating Device by R(2)1nTojza, assigned to the assignee of the present application.

One type of kicking device that can be used with the present invention is assigned to the same assignee as the present application and is owned by Donald E., Ho.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a gaming device is provided that creates a new type of entertainment game.

In the embodiments of the drawings, the gaming device includes a game board, a board projectile (ball), first and second targets, a kicking device,
A gate having variable opening positions to allow the ball to pass through at all positions, means for varying the opening of the gate, and means for displaying game scores. Preferably, the game board surface is tilted downward7. The kick device should be appropriate.
Preferably, the gate is provided with a kick device and a gate between the first and second gates.

The means for changing the opening of the gate changes the opening in response to actuation of the selected target by the ball. The target is activated when the ball hits the target with sufficient force to activate the switch. In embodiment 2 of the drawings, the gate opening narrows in response to actuation of one target and widens in response to actuation of another target. A control handle is also provided by means of which the player can actuate the lateral movement of the kicking device. The lateral positioning of the kicking device by the player determines the rebound direction in which the ball moves upon contact and propulsion by the kicking device.

In the illustrated embodiment, the kicking device automatically propels the ball toward a target in response to the ball contacting the kicking device. The player's control of the gaming device is therefore based on the timely positioning of the kicking device. Alternatively, the lateral (propulsive) movement of the kicking device may be actuated by the player.

The targets include means for propelling the ball toward the kicking device in response to actuation of each target.

The means for propelling the ball may propel the ball automatically and consistently, may propel the ball conditionally as a function of game scoring or game play, or may be actively driven, such as by a solenoid. It may be simply elastically driven by a spring, an elastic repulsion device, or the like. Further, the means for propelling the ball may be designed to propel the ball with a uniform force each time it is actuated, or the game score ti at the point in time when the propulsive force is targeted may vary as a function of game play.

The gaming device further includes a fifth target, means for adding a score to the cumulative score in response to actuation of the fifth target by the ball, and means for adding the cumulative score to the game score in response to actuation of the first target by the ball. There is. As shown in the drawings, a fourth target and means for subtracting points from the cumulative total in response to actuation of the fourth target may be provided. In addition to the game score, there is also a means for displaying the current cumulative total. Display device is 7 segments)
It may be LED, liquid vapor, vacuum fluorescent, gas discharge, incandescent, or other types.

The running total display may be cleared in response to actuation of the first target during game play.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming device further includes an exit gate that selectively provides a passageway opening through which the ball can roll in response to a game score; and a fixed score in response to actuation of each target by the ball. Alternatively, additional targets may be added with each means for adding points determined by game play to the game score.

5I of the drawing! In embodiments, the controller controls one of each of the targets.
It provides all the means to respond to one actuation and can be implemented directly in random logic circuits or in a central processing unit-based configuration, depending on desired cost, performance, and other desired criteria.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, the entertainment game device illustrating the present invention is
A box housing 10 having a board projectile (ball etc.) 11 therein, a game board 14 control handle mechanism 16, a coin slot 18, a kick device 301. It includes a gate 40, an exit gate 50, a brake rail 60 and a target. An illuminated graphics device 225 appears above the game board to visually display scoring possibilities during game play.

Graphics 230 can be illuminated or unlit and can be selectively added onto the game board. In the illustrated embodiment, the display device 12 is raised above the game board and positioned for easy viewing by the player.

In FIG. 2, a front view of the gaming device of FIG. 1 is shown and a left tip position 20 in which the control handle 16 can be moved;
A center position 21 and a right tip position 22 are shown. Movement of the control handle 16 causes simultaneous movement of the kicking device 30 so that the player can position the kicking device 30 and release the ball 11.
(as shown in FIG. 3) in a continuous manner upward along the game board toward a target. The game device has a coin slot 17 in a coin input slot 18 by the player.
After inserting a coin into the coin slot, press the button switch 19 above the coin slot.
When activated, the control device within the entertainment gaming device activates the display device 12, zeros the player score, and otherwise starts and sets the entertainment gaming device for play. In FIG. 5, a plan view of the entertainment game device of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. Control handle 16 is positioned on the front of housing 10.

The rotational movement of the control handle 16 causes simultaneous lateral movement of the kicking device 30 in the direction of the horizontal vector of control handle movement. Kicking device 30 includes a conductive convex member 32 that propels ball 11 when properly positioned. The conductive convex member 52 is attached to a member attached to the flat plate S6 so that the flat plate 36 moves laterally simultaneously with the rotational movement of the control handle. The conductive plate 34 is positioned in front of the conductive convex member 52 on the game board surface. conductive ball 11
When the member 3 contacts both the conductive plate 54 and the member 52
2 is driven forward to propel the ball 11 upward along the game board toward the target. Braking bumper rail 60
are positioned laterally adjacent and on either side of the conductive plate 34 to provide a means for keeping the shield in play. The exit gate 50 is positioned adjacent the brake bumper rail 60 and between the side of the housing 10 and the brake rail 60. The brake rail 6o and the exit gate 50 form a barrier to the out-of-play area of the game board surface outside the lateral extent of the conductive plate 34 and the kicking device 5o.

The damping bumper rail 6o provides a damped rebound of the colliding ball 11 to keep the ball 11 within the active play area (top) of the game board. A selectively gated opening 50 selectively enabled the ball 110 to pass through the gate, thus preventing the ball 11 from rolling away from the active play area through the gated opening. In the Fall 11 embodiment, exit gate 50 is selectively opened in response to a game score. 50 and the brake rail 6o will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
The 7-flick display device 225 displays the total cumulative score, which is added to the player's score when the ball collides with the target 1401c. Individual lights 220-225
are activated (illuminated) in response to activation of targets 102 and 110. In this embodiment, a control device (not shown) targets 1 by ball 11.
In response to the operation of 02, add the points to the cumulative total and
Activates the selected number from 0 to 225 and displays the cumulative total. In this embodiment, the light 220 corresponds to 2000 cumulative points, the light 221 corresponds to 5900 cumulative points, and the light 2
22 is 1αooo cumulative score, light 223 is 2α00
Corresponds to 0 cumulative points. In this embodiment, actuation occurs in response to ball 11 impacting target 102 with sufficient force to close the switch member. Furthermore, the control device responds to the actuation of the target 110 by the ball 11, subtracts the score from the cumulative total, deactivates the selected one (220 to 225), and displays the current cumulative total. 110, the points will be reduced to 2000 points. Activation of target 140 by ball 11, as described in part above, causes the controller to illuminate and add a nine-total to the player's game score.

The gate 40 has a variable opening position and is disposed on the game board between the target 140 and the kicking device 30 such that the opening of the gate 40 closes to the ball 11 in all its positions.
allows it to pass. Target 100 and 1
08 is the gate 4 in response to actuation of the target by the ball 11.
Provides a means to vary the aperture of 0. In this embodiment, the opening of gate 40 is narrowed in response to actuation of target 100, and the opening of gate 40 is widened in response to actuation of target 108 by ball 11. Therefore ball 1
1 passes through and collides with the target 140.
The dimensions of the aperture are controlled according to game play and responsive to the positioning of the ball 11 by the player. Each target 100°102.104
, 106, 108 and 110 are actuated by balls 11 impacting each target.

Points are earned by actuation of the target 104 or 106 (points are added to the game score), which may be a fixed number of points or a variable number of points, the value of which is set according to the game play up to the time the target is hit. . Ball rebound from any actuated target is passive (elastically rebound)
Alternatively, it may be active (eg, mechanically driven) or selectively passive and active in response to game play. Lights 200-214 visually display game scoring selections, features, and contingencies and may be positioned at the top of the game board as shown in the drawing, or near the bottom (close to the player) on the game board for easy viewing. You may. In this example, the light 20
0 to 209 light up when each target's repulsion is active (one kick is mechanically kicked) or to indicate a high score.

In FIG. 4, an exploded cross-sectional view of the game board 14 details the brake rail 60 and related structure, and the exit gate 50 and related structure. The exit gate 50 includes an angle flap member 52 pivotally attached to a hooked end flap pivot rod 54 which controls the pivoting movement of the angle flap 52. Rotation of the angle flag 52 prevents the ball 11 from passing through the exit gate opening when the exit gate 50 is rotated and prevents the exit gate 50 from passing when the angle flap is in the rest (non-rotated) position. Allowing the ball 11 to pass. A control arm 56 is coupled to the hook O end of the end 54 and rotates the angle flap 5 simultaneously with rotation of the hook end rod 54 by the control arm 56.
2 rotations occur. Angle flap 52 is mounted adjacent side bracket 58, which is mounted to and supported by support shaft 57. Hook-end rod 54 connects side bracket 5
8 through the opening 59 and then the angle flap 52
is combined with The lights 213 and 214 visually indicate the rotating (blocking) position of the canned rogate 50 when lit, and indicate the rest (passing) position of the canned rogate 50 when not lit. The logical meaning of the illumination of lights 215 and 214 may be reversed or eliminated altogether if desired. L-shaped spring support members 64, such as spring metal, are aligned laterally across the game board surface with brake rails 60. The rail 62 is attached to the rail 62. Rods 66 and 68 provide a pivot stop so that the ball, bll, can rebound differently depending on where on rail 62 the ball strikes.

5, a side cross-sectional view of exit gate 50 and brake rail 60 taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 is shown. Control arm 56 extends downwardly toward game board surface 14 from its connection with seven-leg end rod 54, passes through an opening in game board surface 14, and connects to a solenoid 74 below game board surface 14. The solenoid 74 is attached to the bracket 72 and the bracket 72 is attached to the game board surface 14 by means of attachment means 76 and 77 such as rivets and screws.
is attached to the bottom of the The controller selectively actuates the solenoid 74 to move the control arm 56 upwardly in response to game play and game scoring.
4 upwardly to move the angle flap 52 to a point 11 in FIG. ! Rotate it to the ball blocking position indicated by the line. Deactivation of solenoid 54 causes control arm 56 to
lowers the rod 54 to its rest position, thereby returning the angle flap 52 to its rest position to allow the ball 11 to pass thereunder.

A rail 62 made of a rigid, high tensile strength material such as nylon or metal is attached to an L-shaped support member 64 by means 63.
An oL-shaped support member 64 attached to the game board 1 extends upwardly above the game board surface and perpendicularly thereto.
It extends downward through the opening in 4 and is bent at a right angle below the game board surface 14. The L-shaped member 64 includes rivets, screws,
Bolts and the like are attached to the game board surface 14 by means 70. The L-shaped spring support member 64 is made of a spring material such as a clock spring metal that has a damped elastic response, so that the repulsion of the ball 11 that collides with the rail 62 works together with the L-shaped support member 64 to cause the ball 11 to collide with the rail. 62. Rods 66 and 6B provide a pivot stop against which rail 62 is biased by the striking ball 11.

In FIG. 6, a control device 50 with a target 501, a target 602, a gate 503 and a side gate 304 is shown.
In this example, the lights 502 indicate the mutual coupling of 0
includes lights 200-214 and 220-225, and may include more lights. In this example, the target 501 is the target 100,1
Additional targets may be included or some targets may be excluded, including 02, 104, 106, 108 and 110. In this embodiment, gate 503 includes gate 40 and associated control and drive equipment. Side gate 504 includes exit gate 50, associated devices 52, 54, 56, 57, 58 and 59, solenoid 74 and associated devices.
0 provides the monitoring and logic control of all game operations and may be comprised of a central processing unit (microcomputer) based control operation arrangement or may be implemented with discrete electronic circuitry to provide all necessary logic, control and drive operations. An example of a suitable control device that may be used with the gaming device of the present invention is the US 5% License 40, assigned to the assignee of this application.
No. 95252 and No. 4198051.

From the above description, it can be seen that the features of this embodiment of the invention allow the player of the gaming device to challenge the gaming device itself. The automatic response of the mid-trick device mechanism to the ball and the automatic response of the target and kicker, which have a driving force that increases as a function of game score, increases the challenge to the player and eliminates slow or sluggish movements of the player from play of the game device. removed to some extent.

The automatic operation of the centering device and targeting mechanism allows the speed of the game to be independent of the slowness and sluggishness factors that would otherwise be introduced by the player, which allows the player to use the gaming device to achieve high scores. You will have to be knowledgeable and proficient.

Although the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense and, upon reference to the description, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the disclosed embodiments and the like. Other embodiments of the invention will become apparent. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover any modifications and embodiments falling within the true scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is an entertainment game device illustrating the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the game device of FIG. 1 showing the position of the control handle, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the entertainment game device of FIGS. 1 and 2. figure,
Figure 84 is a developed sectional view of the game board surface showing the brake rail and exit gate in detail, and Figure 5 is a side sectional view of the exit gate and brake rail of the fourth factor taken along line 5--5 of Figure 4. , FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the interconnection of the control device, targets, lights, gates, and exit gates. In the figure, 10... Box body number 1, 11... Ball, 12... Display device, 14... Game board surface, 16...
...Control handle mechanism, 18...Coin slot, 30.
...Kick device, 40...Gate, 50...Exit gate, 60...Brake rail, 225...Lighting graphic device, 2SO...Graphic.

Claims (1)

[Claims] t. A downwardly inclined game board surface, a ball, and a first
and a second target, a kicking device that propels the ball toward an arbitrary target, and a kicking device having a variable opening position and disposed between the first target and the kicking device, the kicking device propelling the ball in the fully open position. A game device comprising: a gate for allowing the ball to pass through; means for changing an opening of the gate in response to actuation of the second target by the ball; and means for displaying a game score. 2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a control device actuatable by the player, wherein the kicking device moves laterally in response to the control device actuatable by the player. The above game device is characterized in that: &4I The game device according to claim 2, wherein the kicking device automatically propels the ball toward the target in response to the ball contacting the kicking device. gaming equipment. 4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first target includes means for propelling the ball toward the kicking device. 5. The game device according to claim 4, wherein the first target propelling means automatically propels the first target in response to movement of the first target by the ball. 4. The game device according to claim 4, wherein the first target propulsion means includes an elastic band. 2. The game device according to claim 4, wherein the first target propulsion means further includes mechanical auxiliary means for actively propelling the ball. 8. The gaming device according to claim 4, wherein the first target propelling means propels the ball with a force that varies as a function of a game score. 9. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a third target, means for adding points to a cumulative total in response to actuation of the third target by the ball, and a cumulative total of points to a game score. and means for adding. 1 (L) In the game device according to claim 9, the game device further includes a ts4 target and the fourth target by the ball.
The game device described above, further comprising means for subtracting points from the cumulative total in response to the action of the target. It % The game device according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising means for displaying a current cumulative score in addition to the game score. 12. The game device according to claim 10, wherein the subtraction means subtracts the cumulative score to a basic value in response to the operation of the fourth target,
The game device further comprises at least one fifth target and means for adding points to a game score in response to actuation of the fifth target by the ball. 14. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a sixth target, wherein the gate opening changing means changes the opening of the gate in response to actuation of the second target by the ball. and means for widening the opening of the gate in response to actuation of the sixth target by the ball. 15.Claim 1 or 9 or 14
3. The gaming device according to item 1, further comprising a side gate that selectively provides a passage opening through which the ball can roll in response to a game score. 16 a downwardly sloping game board surface, a ball, a plurality of individual targets, and means for performing each action in response to actuation of each target by the ball, associating an independent action with each target; control means; gate means having a variable opening position and selectively varying the width of the opening in response to the control means; kicking means for propelling the ball toward the target; A game device comprising display means for visually displaying a player's game score in response to the means. 12. The game device according to claim 14, wherein the kicking means is further configured to automatically move the target in response to the ball being laterally positioned and contacting the kicking means in response to a player motion. The game device described above includes a ball kicking means for propelling the ball toward the target. 18.% Claims 16 and 9 provide the game device according to claim 17, further comprising: a first target;
a second and a first third target; the control means further includes means for narrowing the gate opening in response to actuation of the first target by the ball; and third means for adding points to a game score in response to actuation of the fifth target by the bow. gaming equipment. 19. The game device according to claim 18, further characterized in that the fifth target is positioned in the upper layer of the game board surface in the direction of and between the gate opening. The above game device. 2. The game device according to claim 18, further comprising means for selectively providing an opening through which the ball falls in response to the control means. gaming equipment. 2. The game device according to claim 18, further characterized in that the selected target propels the ball with a larger force than normal when the player's score exceeds a predetermined value. The above game device. 2. The game device according to claim 18, further comprising fourth and fifth objects, wherein the control means further comprises means for lighting up the game board to display a cumulative total. a fourth means for adding points to the cumulative total in response to the actuation of the fourth target by the ball; a fifth means for subtracting points from the cumulative total in response to the actuation of the fifth target by the ball; %@ is characterized in that the game device is provided with means for adding a cumulative total to the player's score in response to the S@th operation. 2. The game device according to claim 18, further comprising a sixth target, wherein the control means further adjusts the player's score to a predetermined value in response to actuation of the sixth target by the ball. The game device described above, further comprising a sixth means for adding up points.