NL1031509C2 - Game apparatus e.g. pinball machine, has friction reducing unit comprising large number of openings in game surface and pressure unit e.g. pump, for feeding pressurized medium through openings - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus (1) has a game unit (5-1) moved over an enclosed game surface (2), where the game unit is an air cushion vehicle. A friction reducing unit (3) is designed for reducing friction between the game surface and the game unit moveable over the game surface. The friction reducing unit comprises a large number of openings in the game surface and a pressure unit (8) e.g. pump, for feeding a pressurized medium through the openings. A pressure space is pressurized by the pressure unit with the aid of the medium under the game surface.

Description

Short description: Game equipment for one or more people.

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a device for one or more people.

Game devices for playing a game for one or more persons are known in all kinds of embodiments and applications. Known examples are, for example, the use of pinball machines or table football games or table tennis tables in which several players can play an amusement game against each other or with each other. The object of the invention is precisely to provide a new game device for one or more persons in which the person actively participates in the game but above all forms part of the game.

According to the invention, the game device is characterized for this purpose until it comprises an enclosed game surface; at least one game unit movable over the enclosed game surface, on which at least one player can take place, and means adapted to reduce the friction between the game surface and the game unit movable over it.

With this embodiment, an interactive game concept is designed in which the player or players themselves actively participate in the game, which considerably improves the perception and game pleasure.

In a specific embodiment, the friction-reducing means comprise a large number of openings in the game surface, as well as pressure means for guiding a medium under pressure through the openings. In this way a player can move across the game surface in a frictionless manner with the aid of the playing unit, which makes the game experience attractive but moreover arbitrary in direction and interaction.

In a further embodiment there is at least one pressure space extending below the game surface and pressurizable by the pressure means with the aid of the medium. In order to be able to expand or enlarge the game surface in a modular manner, in a special embodiment the game surface can be composed of several sections that can be coupled to each other, each section being composed of a sub-game surface with one or more partial pressure spaces extending beneath it.

More in particular, the openings can be closed so as to make the consumption of the medium under pressure as efficient as possible. This also increases the effectiveness of the friction-reducing means.

More specifically, in one embodiment thereof, a chamber that can be flowed through the medium under pressure is arranged around each opening on the pressure space side, in which a spherical element closing the opening under the influence of the medium under pressure can be accommodated. In this case, the chamber that can be flowed through by the medium under pressure is assembled as a raised edge extending around the opening.

In this way an effective use of the medium under pressure can be used, without an excessive loss of unused medium under pressure, so that the game experience and the interaction of the game unit with the player placed thereon is considerably improved.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the spherical closure element. The improved functionality or interaction between the game unit and the game surface and the functionality of the friction-reducing means is thereby further improved because under the influence of the medium under pressure the spherical closing element partially extends through the opening above the surface formed by the game surface.

In a specific embodiment the game unit comprises a flat supporting plate supporting the game surface. At least one seat for at least one player is attached to the supporting plate, and furthermore a frame acting as a shield for the player is mounted on the supporting plate for the protection of the player present on the game unit.

For a further more interactive game experience, the game device comprises the game device in the enclosed game surface that can be arranged interaction means, which interaction means are adapted to influence the movement of the game unit over the game surface.

In this way the displacement of the game unit with the player placed thereon can be influenced arbitrarily, which makes the game experience more attractive.

In specific exemplary embodiments, the interaction means are fixedly arranged in the enclosed game surface, or wherein the interaction means are movable over the enclosed game surface.

Optionally, the game interaction means may form part of the game unit, wherein in a specific embodiment the interaction means comprise at least one elastic or resilient contact element or the interaction means comprise at least one energizable expansion element. The above-mentioned embodiments influence in an efficient but above all random and therefore attractive manner the movement of the game unit over the game surface and thus the game experience for the player.

In a specific embodiment it is characterized in that the expansion element forms part of a piston / cylinder combination, wherein the interaction means are optionally designed as an upstanding edge surrounding the game surface.

Furthermore, for influencing the movement of the game unit over the game surface, the device can be arranged such that the enclosed game surface makes an angle of inclination with the horizontal, and wherein the angle of inclination is optionally adjustable.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a drawing, which drawings successively show in: figure 1 a top view of a game device according to the invention; figures 2A and 2B show cross-sections of different embodiments of a game device as shown in figure 1; Figures 3A-3C show different partial views of a game device according to the invention; figures 4A and 4B show different embodiments of game units for use in a game device according to the invention; Figure 5 still another partial aspect of a game device according to the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, the corresponding parts shown in the various figures are indicated by identical reference numerals in the description of the figures below.

Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of a game device according to the invention.

The game device 1 is formed by a game surface 2 which is enclosed by means of a screen or raised edge 1a. A game unit 5 is movable over the game surface 2, on which game unit 5 one or 4 more players can take place. The game unit 5 will be explained in detail later in the description, but is shown schematically here as yet.

Game device 1 is equipped in such a way that the game unit 5 and the player placed thereon can move randomly over the game surface 2, which random movement makes the game interactive and also positively influences the player's perception and game pleasure.

In order to enable random unexpected movements of the game unit over the game surface 2, the game surface 2 is provided with friction-reducing means 3, which are shown here schematically. The friction-reducing means 3 are arranged in the game surface 2 in such a way that they form a grid which is schematically represented for the understanding of the invention with reference to the grid lines 3a and 3b, respectively. It is noted here that the friction-reducing means 3 are located at each intersection of the grid lines 3a and 3b.

In the embodiment as shown in figure 1, the game surface 2 has an arrangement space 2a where the one or more game units 5 are arranged before the start of the game and are set in motion with the aid of insertion means 6 to be explained later in the description, whereafter they enter the game surface 2.

To influence the movement of the game unit 5 in the game surface 2, interaction means 4a-4b-4c are arranged at different locations in the game surface. These interaction means are arranged in the game surface in various embodiments and will be described in detail later in the description. More specifically, the interaction means 4c are static in nature, since they only act as a handball surface, for causing the game unit 5 to change direction when it touches the interaction tool 4c.

In the Figure 1, the interaction means 4c are embodied as a flat corner element, placed in the corners of the game surface 2, but in another embodiment, the interaction means 4c can have a curved shape, so that a less shocking change in the direction of movement of the game unit over the game surface 2 occurs.

In other embodiments, the interaction means 4a-4b are actively designed and arranged fixedly or displaceably in the game surface.

5

For the purpose of effective influencing or interaction of the movement of the game unit 5 over the game surface 2, the interaction means 4a-4c can be provided with at least one elastic or resilient contact element. Thus, the interaction between the game unit 5 (and the 5 games placed thereon) and the interaction means is not experienced as shocking, which positively influences the game experience,

In the embodiments 4a and 4b, the interaction means can comprise at least one energizable expansion element which can be brought actively against the game unit 5 and thus actively influences the speed but also the direction of the game unit 5 over the game surface 2. This also increases the gaming experience as a result of this interactive game form.

The object of the game is to maintain the game unit 5 in the game surface 2 for a certain period of time, while its movement is influenced by the various interaction means 4a-4c. The game surface 2 is also provided with an output 2b, and at the moment that the game unit 5 (here indicated with 5 ”) leaves the game surface 2 via the output 2b, the game for the relevant player is finished and the game can be continued with another player who is introduced into the playing surface 2 on the game unit 5 in the set-up area 2a.

The game unit 5 "which has left the game surface 2 via the output 2b can be moved to the mounting surface 2a with suitable transfer means 2c, for example via a conveyor belt. In the meantime, the player present in the game unit 5" can leave this and another player player manning or entering the game unit 5 ".

Figures 2a and 2b show more detailed embodiments of the device 1 as shown in Figure 1 and more particularly the operation of the friction-reducing means.

As shown in Fig. 2a, there is a pressure space 7 extending below the game surface 2, which pressure space 7 can be pressurized with a medium under pressure. To this end, the device 1 is also provided with pressure means 8, for example a compressor, fan or pump, which takes in air from outside the device and pumps it under pressure to the pressure space 7.

On the other hand, in an embodiment not shown below the game surface 2, a plurality of pressure chambers 7 connecting to one another can extend, each of which is pressurized separately by a pressure unit, or which are in pressure communication with each other, so that one pressure unit 8 can suffice for the pressure build-up. to be realized in the various printing rooms. This offers the possibility of modularly expanding and / or increasing the game surface, so that the game device can be more versatilely adapted to different game concepts.

In another functional embodiment, the game surface 2 can be composed of several sections that can be coupled to each other, wherein each section is built up of a sub-game surface with one or more partial pressure spaces extending below it.

The game concept of the game device according to the invention is aimed at providing the game surface 2 with a large number of openings 3 which, as shown in Figure 1, are arranged in a grid in the game surface 2 and schematically shown in Figure 1 by the intersections of the grid lines 3a and 3b are displayed.

With reference to Figs. 3a-3c in combination with Figs. 2a-2b, the different openings 3 can be closed by a spherical element 34 which is enclosed for this purpose in a chamber 33 which is formed by a raised edge 31 arranged around the openings 3 ( which is provided with a converted retaining edge).

Each chamber 33 is constructed in such a way that via a small opening 32 from the pressure chamber 7 it is in open communication with the outside environment above the game surface 2 via the openings 3. In Figure 3a, the game device 1 and 25, in particular, are the friction-reducing means 3. 30 at rest, so that due to the absence of any overpressure in the pressure space 7 present under the game surface 2, the spherical elements 34 assume a lower position in the chamber 33 under the influence of gravity.

If air is introduced into the pressure chamber 7 by the pressure means 8 (compressor, fan or pump) (indicated by the reference numerals 8a), the medium will try to escape under pressure through the openings 32, the chamber 33 and the openings 3. The escape of overpressure from these openings is counteracted by the spherical elements 34 which - as shown in figure 3b - are moved upwards by the overpressure and close off the openings 3. In this way the air that is built up under pressure in the pressure chamber 7 cannot escape.

The friction-reducing means 3-30 are constructed in such a way that if the game unit 5 comes to rest on the game surface 2, the latter 5, locally at the location where the game surface 5 makes contact with the game surface 2, the spherical elements 34 against the overpressure prevailing in presses the pressure space 7, whereby the pressurized medium can escape through the opening 33 through the chamber 33 along the spherical elements 34 through the openings 3. As a result of this phenomenon the pressurized medium (air) will accumulate below the game unit 5, so that an air cushion or air layer 8a 'is created, on which the game unit 5 comes to float. The air along the sides (indicated by reference number 8aH) can possibly escape.

By adjusting or changing the pressure in the pressure space 7, the conditions under which the air layer 8a 'under the game unit 5 is realized can also be influenced and thus also the friction and the speed with which the game unit 5 can move over the game surface 2. . A high air pressure realizes a larger (thicker) air layer 8a "and accordingly less friction, while a lower air pressure causes a thin air layer 8a" and therefore more friction.

Although in Figs. 3a-3c the openings 32 resp. 3 have a different diameter, it is preferred in a specific embodiment that the openings 32 and 3 are of the same diameter.

By preferably, and as shown in Figure 2b, arranging the game surface 2 at an angle α with respect to the horizontal 10, the game unit 5 will move over the game surface 2 under the influence of this gravity component. This additional functionality not only influences the speed, but also the direction in which the game unit 5 moves over the game surface 2. In each case, locally spherical elements 34 will be pressed in, so that air can escape locally from the pressure space 7 via the relevant chamber 33 and the relevant openings 3 thus opened for locally creating an air cushion on which the game unit 5 comes to rest or float.

Pressed-in spherical elements 34 will, after the game unit 5 has been further moved under the influence of the air pressure 8 prevailing in the pressure space 7, be moved again by the air flow 8a to the embodiment as shown in figure 3b and thereby close the opening 3. In this way, only at the place where the game unit 5 rests on the game surface 2 and thus presses spherical elements 34, an air cushion is created by the air escaping locally 8a-5 8a'-8a ', while elsewhere all openings 3 are caused by their corresponding spherical elements 34 are pressed and therefore no pressure loss can occur.

The angle adjustment α can be adjusted by means of suitable angle adjustment means 9, for example a lifting device, depending on the desired game perception or game interaction that one wishes to play with the game device 1 according to the invention.

Figure 4a schematically shows a first embodiment of a game unit 5 such as can be used in the game device 1 according to the invention. Game unit 5 is provided with a flat supporting plate supporting the game surface 2, on which at least one seat 52 is arranged, on which a player 60 can sit. In view of the nature of the game, the seat 52 is provided with so-called seat belts 53 which, for safety reasons, must be used by the player 60. In order to further guarantee the safety of the player 60, a shield 51 acting as a cage construction 20 can also be provided on the support plate 50.

Analogous to the interaction means 4a and 4b, the game unit 5 can also be provided with interaction means 40-40 'which, as shown in Fig. 4a, can be operated or energized by the player 60 with the aid of an operation 45. In another embodiment, the interaction means 40-40 '(or multiple interaction means) may be remotely energized and adjusted by the audience.

Analogously to the Interaction means 4a and 4b, the interaction means 40-40 'have at least one energizable expansion element 41-41' which, for example, can also be provided with an elastic or resilient contact element. Preferably, the expansion element 41-41 'is mounted on a shaft 42-42' which may, for example, form part of a piston-cylinder combination 43-43 '. The operation or actuation of the deployment elements 41-41 'takes place, for example, on the basis of the operation 45 which can be energized by the player 60. The operation 45 is thereby connected to the piston-cylinder combination by means of signal connections 44-44' 43 and 43 'respectively. However, it is also possible to have the interaction and / or contact element 41-41 'moved in and out in other ways than by means of a piston-cylinder combination.

It should be noted that the insertion means 6 as well as interaction means 4a-4b which are actively and fixedly or displaceably arranged in the game surface 2 can be designed in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 4a. It is noted here that the interaction means 4b as shown in figure 1 can be provided with an expansion element designed as a flat as shown in figure 4a.

Figure 4b shows (with corresponding reference numbers) another, more passively designed game unit, without the interaction means, as is the case with the embodiment from Figure 4a. A bucket seat is used here and another cage construction as a safety measure. Optionally, the player 60 may be provided with a remote control 45 for e.g. radiographic operation of, for example, the interaction means 4b near the exit 2b of the game surface 2.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of an interaction means, such as that indicated in Figure 1 by the reference numeral 4a. Herein, the interaction means 4a (indicated in Figure 5 by 40 ”) have a round shape and in this embodiment it is provided with four in and out displaceable expansion elements 41a '' - 41d", each of which is mounted on one or more support arms 42a The support arms 42a "- 42d" are retractable and extendable (see the double arrows in Fig. 5) with the aid of an energizing unit 43 "which may, for example, comprise several piston-cylinder combinations. However, it is also noted here that the displacement of the different expansion elements 41a "-41d" can take place in different ways.

Although in Figure 5 an interaction means 40 "is shown, provided with four segment-shaped expansion elements, it is also possible to provide such an interaction means with two, three or more than four expansion elements.

In general, the interaction means 40 "must function autonomously, that is to say that at the moment that a game unit 5 touches one of the expansion elements 41a" -41d ", the relevant expansion element briefly springs in and then under the influence of the excitation unit 43" an outward displacement is urged at an accelerated rate, whereby the pulse thus given to the expansion element 41 aM-41 d is transmitted to the game unit 5, so that the latter is, as it were, "launched" by the device 1 over the game surface 2, preferably in a different, random direction and with a different surprising speed.

Optionally, the various interaction means 4a-4b can remotely be controlled by the audience present around the game surface 2 in order to influence the movement of the game unit 5 and the player present on it. In particular, the game interaction means 4b near the exit 2b of the game surface 2 can be operated by the public in order to prevent premature departure of the game surface 2 by the game unit 5 (and the player placed thereon).

15 1031509

Claims (22)

A game device for one or more persons comprising an enclosed game surface; at least one game unit displaceable over the enclosed playing surface, on which at least one player can take place; and means adapted to reduce the friction between the game surface and the game unit movable over it. A game device according to claim 1, characterized in that the friction-reducing means comprise a large number of openings in the game surface 10, as well as pressure means for guiding a medium under pressure through the openings. A gaming device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the gaming surface is composed of a plurality of sections that can be coupled to each other, wherein each section is made up of a egg playing surface with one or more partial pressure spaces extending beneath it. A gaming device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that at least one pressure space can be provided by the pressure means with the aid of the medium under the game surface. 4. Game device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the openings can be closed. 5. A gaming device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that on the pressure chamber side around each opening a chamber which is capable of flowing through the medium under pressure is arranged in which a spherical element closing the opening under the influence of the medium under pressure can be accommodated. A game device according to claim 5, characterized in that the chamber that can be flowed through under pressure is composed as a raised edge extending around the opening. 7. A gaming device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the spherical closing element. A game device according to claim 7, characterized in that under the influence of the medium under pressure the spherical closing element partially extends through the opening above the surface formed by the game surface. 10315 09 9. Game device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the game unit comprises a flat supporting plate supporting the game surface. 10. Game device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one seat for at least one player is mounted on the support plate. 11. A gaming device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a framework serving as a screen for the player is mounted on the support plate. 12. Game device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the game device comprises interaction means which can be arranged in the enclosed game surface, which interaction means are adapted to influence the movement of the game unit over the game surface. A game device according to claim 12, characterized in that the interaction means are fixedly arranged in the enclosed game surface. 14. Game device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the interaction means are movable over the enclosed game surface. A game device according to claim 14, characterized in that the interaction means form part of the game unit. 16. Game device according to one or more of claims 12-15, characterized in that the interaction means comprise at least one elastic or resilient contact element. A gaming device according to one or more of the claims 12-16, characterized in that the interaction means comprise at least one energizable expansion element. 18. Game device according to claim 17, characterized in that the expansion element forms part of a piston / cylinder combination. 19. Game device according to one or more of claims 12-18, characterized in that the interaction means are designed as an upstanding edge surrounding the game surface. 20. Game device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the enclosed game surface makes an angle of inclination with the horizontal. A gaming device according to claim 20, characterized in that the angle of inclination is adjustable. A game unit for use in a game device according to one or more of the preceding claims, as defined in claims 9 to 11. 5 10315 09