US20240115931A1

US20240115931A1 - Ball game support and associated kit

Info

Publication number: US20240115931A1
Application number: US18/264,640
Authority: US
Inventors: Guillaume LAMOUR
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-08
Filing date: 2022-02-08
Publication date: 2024-04-11
Also published as: FR3119550B1; WO2022167684A1; CN117120145A; EP4288170A1; FR3119550A1

Abstract

A part includes a fastening system for fastening to another part so as to form all or part of a ball game board, the part including a plurality of cavities arranged in a two-dimensional ordered array on a first surface of the part, each cavity being designed to receive a ball, the part including a device for reversible fastening to another similar part along a fastening border, wherein the fastening system is formed by a plurality of overhangs each including at least one cavity of the plurality of cavities; and a plurality of indentations designed to receive the overhangs from another similar part.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5 The field of the invention relates to a game support, notably a game support for moving balls along a course. The field of the invention may also relate to a game support comprising a plurality of removable modules.

PRIOR ART

Ball games have always been popular for centuries. They are usually played directly on the ground or on sand. An example of game (commonly known as “the pot” or “the course”) is to take turns throwing one's ball to a hole (existing or prepared) or a finish point or line, in the least amount of strokes possible, potentially following a course. Each player plays their ball is and starts again from where they left off. Generally, the winner of a game usually wins the balls of their defeated opponents.
A drawback of this type of game is that it is not possible to play indoors or in a small space.
There are also game boards making it possible to guide a ball along a course, generally in the form of a labyrinth, for example as described in the document FR2271854. A drawback of this kind of game is that it is not possible to play with several players simultaneously.
Chinese checker game boards are also known. This type of board comprises one face with a plurality of cavities for housing balls. However, these boards are not designed to move the ball on the board by flicking, pushing, or pinching.
The documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,753,187; 4,371,169 are also known, but these do not make it possible to create a surface comprising an array of cavities constituted of two assembled parts.
The invention therefore aims to provide a ball game board, making it possible to play with several players by moving one or more balls to an end point. Another aspect of the invention is to be able to modulate this board with a game variant system in order to avoid the game being too repetitive. Another aspect of the invention is to provide a compact game board that can be transported and stored easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a ball game board or a part to form such a board comprising a plurality of cavities arranged in a two-dimensional array on a first surface of the board, each cavity being designed to receive a ball.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a part (also referred to as a “module” in the present description) comprising fastening means for fastening to another part so as to form all or part of a ball game board. The part comprises a plurality of cavities arranged in a two-dimensional ordered array on a first surface of said part, each cavity being designed to receive a ball.
In one embodiment, said cavities comprise a truncated cone shape, notably for slowing down the travel of the ball. The array is preferably an ordered array.
The invention advantageously makes it possible to provide a game surface for moving several balls on this surface one after the other. The cavities make it possible to both receive the ball at the end of its travel and to brake the travel of the ball along the surface of the board or part.
In one embodiment, a peripheral abutment surrounding at least partially the array of cavities to stop the travel of a ball. The peripheral abutment thus makes it possible to prevent the ball from coming off the game board. The players can thus strike the ball more naturally, the travel of the ball will be both braked by the cavities and stopped by the peripheral abutment, ensuring that the ball is held on the game board.
In one embodiment, the board or part is transparent. The transparent board advantageously makes it possible to place under the game board a printed pattern surface visible through the game board.
In one embodiment, the distance between two adjacent cavities of the array is less than 20% of the length of a cavity. This proximity between the cavities in the array advantageously makes it possible to slow down the ball further by reducing the flat surface between two cavities and reduces the possibility for the ball to roll between the cavities. Preferably, the distance between two adjacent cavities of the array is less than 10% of the length of a cavity. This distance advantageously makes it possible to ensure that the ball constantly passes from adjacent cavity to adjacent cavity, increasing the braking of the travel.
In one embodiment, all the cavities in the array are identical. This advantageously makes it possible to ensure a uniform travel of the ball from cavity to cavity.
In one embodiment, the board comprises at least two removable modules (or removable parts). Each removable module comprises a part of the array of cavities of the board. The game board can then advantageously be disassembled, so as to make it easier to store and move. It suffices to assemble the modules together to form the game board. The fact that each module contains a part of the array of cavities advantageously makes it possible to increase the compactness of the disassembled game board.
In one embodiment, each module comprises means for reversible fastening to another similar module along a fastening border extending at least is partially within the array of cavities. The reversible fastening means advantageously make it possible to ensure that the modules are fastened together during the game.
In one embodiment, the two-dimensional array is a hexagonal array and each hexagon of the hexagonal array comprises a cavity. The two-dimensional array may also be a quadrilateral or triangular array. The advantage of the hexagonal pattern is that it allows a better cavity density.
In one embodiment, a fastening border module extends between the cavities of a line of cavities of the array.
One advantage is to reinforce the solidity of the fastening between two modules. Indeed, by snaking between the cavities of an array line, the fastening means make it possible to consolidate the fastening along several directions. Another advantage is to make it possible to draw the fastening border between the cavities. Thus, when the board is transparent, the fastening border does not interfere with viewing through the cavity.
In one embodiment, the fastening means comprise an alternation of rail and groove designed to cooperate with grooves and rails of another similar module respectively. The rails and the grooves advantageously make it possible to reinforce the solidity of the fastening between two modules while allowing easy voluntary disassembly.
According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a kit comprising a board according to the invention and a set of balls designed to be received in a cavity of the game board
In one embodiment, the diameter of the balls is between 50% and 100% of the length of a cavity of the game board.
In one embodiment, the transparent game board and the kit further comprise a board support comprising printed patterns visible through the transparent board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description, in reference to the appended figures, that illustrate:

[FIG. 1 ]: a schematic view of a board comprising an array of cavities on one is face according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 2 ]: a photograph of a board according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 3 ]: a sectional view of a cavity of the board according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 4 ]: a schematic perspective view of a board module according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 5 ]: a schematic perspective view of the fastening border of a board module according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 6A]: a schematic representation of the array of cavities in which said array is composed of an adjacent array of hexagons each comprising a cavity.

[FIG. 6B]: schematic representation of a fastening border of two adjacent modules through the array of cavities.

[FIG. 7 ]: a schematic view of a board according to one embodiment comprising a plurality of modules.

FIG. 8A to [FIG. 8G]: schematic views of different examples of modules of the board according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 9 ]: a schematic representation of a kit according to one embodiment of the invention.

[FIG. 10 ]: a schematic perspective view of a board module according to one embodiment of the invention seen from below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the game board 1 is described below with reference to FIG. 1 .
The game board 1 comprises a surface 4 on which players can place and move their balls. Typically, the game board 1 may be used by placing a ball in one of the cavities 21 and then moving this ball by pushing, flicking or pinching against the game board to another cavity in which the ball will come to rest again. It is then possible to imagine different kinds of games from such a board 1, the purpose of which could be to reach a target cavity before an opponent's ball or to get an opponent's ball out of its cavity.
Cavities
The surface 4 comprising a plurality of cavities 21. Each cavity 21 may comprise a non-through hole or a blind hole. The dimensions of each cavity 21 enable the reception of a ball in said cavity and its immobilization in is said cavity. Each cavity then corresponds to a spot or position where the ball may be placed by the player or immobilized at the end of its travel.
The diameter or length of a cavity is preferably adapted for the immobilization of a ball. The diameter or length of a cavity is preferably of the order of the diameter of a ball, preferably less than the diameter of a ball. The most common balls have a diameter of 1 to 2 cm, but others may reach 5 cm in diameter.
A first example of cavity 21 is illustrated in FIG. 3 , the scale of which has been intentionally deformed for better clarity. In this example, the cavity 21 has a truncated cone shape. The cavity 21 extends from the surface 4 according to a circular section, the diameter of which decreases with the depth of the cavity 21 to a bottom 22. The base 22 may be flat and preferably extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the surface 4 of the game board 1 between two cavities. The side walls 23 of the cavity 21 form a cylinder portion. These side walls 23 make it possible to contain and immobilize the ball inside the cavity 21. The depth of the cavity may vary between 1 mm and 1 cm.
Preferably, the ratio of the depth of the cavity to the length of the cavity ranges from 0.05 to 0.4. This ratio advantageously allows a ball, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the length of the cavity, to roll along the flat bottom 22 without touching the circular section at the top of the cavity. Thus, the fluidity of the travel of the ball through a cavity is favored.
The truncated cone shape makes it possible, on the one hand, to improve the stability of the ball inside the cavity. On the other hand, such a cavity makes it possible to slow down the travel of a ball along the surface of the board. Notably, the flat bottom of the cavity makes it possible to make the travel of a ball passing through the cavity straighter than a conical cavity, which would impose a curve on the ball.
In one embodiment, the slope of the side wall 23 has an angle Z with the plane of the surface 4 comprised between 130° and 165°. This angle advantageously makes it possible to find a good compromise between the stabilization of a ball stopped in the cavity 21 and the fluidity of the travel of the ball through said cavity 21.
According to a second example, the cavity 21 may have a truncated pyramid shape.
According to a third example, the cavity 21 extends from the surface 4 according to a section of a regular polygon, the section of which decreases with the depth of the cavity to a bottom 22. “Regular polygon” is taken to mean a polygon, of which the sides have the same length and of which all the angles are equal. Preferably, the regular polygon is a polygon having at least two symmetry axes. The regular polygon preferably comprises a triangle, a square, a hexagon.
Cavities 21 as described in the third example advantageously make it possible to have better control of the trajectory of the ball. Notably, these cavities 21 make it possible to reduce the deviation of the trajectory of the ball when the latter loses its speed.
Array of cavities
The cavities 21 of the plurality of cavities are organized in a regular array 2, preferably in an array of identical cavities.
Regular array is taken to mean that the cavities 21 are organized in space following a regular distribution in at least two directions of the two-dimensional space. According to these directions, the cavities are distributed periodically.
This distribution in a regular array advantageously makes it possible to ensure a uniform travel of the ball at any point of the board from cavity to cavity.
In an example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the array of cavities 2 is defined by a hexagonal array, i.e. an array of hexagons 25 adjacent to each other in a honeycomb structure. Each hexagon 25 of the array 2 comprises a single cavity 21. This array 2 advantageously makes it possible to increase the compactness of the cavities 21 on the surface 4 of the game board 1. Another advantage is to organize the array 2 of cavities 21 in lines or columns of cavities A, B, C represented in dotted lines in FIG. 6A. Along these lines or columns A, B,C, it is easier to give a ball a straight travel through the cavities 21 along this line or column of cavities 21.
In another alternative example not represented, the array of cavities 2 is defined by a triangular or quadrilateral array where each triangle or quadrilateral of the array comprises a single cavity.
Preferably, the distance between two adjacent cavities 21 of the regular array is less than 20% of the length of a cavity 21. This distance allows is adjacent cavities to be brought closer together. Thus, this proximity between the cavities advantageously makes it possible to slow down the ball by increasing its frequency of passage through a cavity. Below 10%, this distance advantageously makes it possible to ensure that the ball constantly passes from adjacent cavity to adjacent cavity, increasing the braking of the ball during its travel.
Abutment
The game board 1 illustrated in the figures further comprises a peripheral abutment 3. The peripheral abutment 3 surrounds at least partially the array of cavities 2. The peripheral abutment 3 is arranged on the surface of the game board 1 in such a way that it stops the travel of a ball. The peripheral abutment 3 advantageously makes it possible to stop the travel of a ball to prevent it from coming off the game board 1. Preferably, the peripheral abutment 3 is adjacent to the array of cavities 2 so as to prevent a ball from coming off the array of cavities 2. In one example, the peripheral abutment 3 surrounds the entire array of cavities.
The peripheral abutment 3 preferably has a thickness of at least half the diameter of a ball. Preferably, the thickness of the peripheral abutment 3 above the surface of the board is greater than 0.75 cm, preferably greater than 1 cm to be able to stop the travel of a ball.
The peripheral abutment 3 preferably has a slope with respect to the surface of the game board of between 25° and 55°. This slope makes it possible to find a good compromise between preventing the ball from coming off the game board and maintaining the ball's speed when it returns inside the array of cavities 2.
In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 , the peripheral abutment 3 may comprise an outer bevel. The outer bevel advantageously makes it possible to facilitate the passage of a ball arriving from the outside above the peripheral abutment 3. A ball that would arrive with speed against said peripheral abutment. In this embodiment, the peripheral abutment 3 comprises a slope 34 from its lateral side opposite the first surface to the inner wall 33 of the peripheral abutment 3. In one embodiment not shown, the peripheral abutment 3 comprises a plateau between the outer slope 34 and the inner wall 33.
In one embodiment, the slope 34 has an angle X with the horizontal plane of the surface 4 of the module 11 less than 45°. Preferably, the slope 34 has a flat surface so as not to slow down the ball as it passes.
One advantage is to facilitate the entry of a ball from the outside to the surface 4 comprising the array of cavities and to allow the passage of the ball between two modules that would not be fastened to each other and separated.
Modules
In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , the game board 1 is constituted of a single one-piece element.
In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7 , the game board 1 comprises at least two removable modules 11, 13, 12.
A removable module is understood in the present description to mean a mechanical part comprising at least one fastener to fasten to another part. The terms “part” and “module” are used in the present description in an equivalent manner and may be used instead of each other.
Each module 11, 12, 13 comprises a part of the array of cavities. This embodiment makes it possible to disassemble the game board 1 to make it less bulky. This embodiment also makes it possible to customize the size and shape of the game board 1 as a function of the number, shape and arrangement of the modules 11, 12, 13.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a first removable module 11. The first removable module 11 comprises a general triangular shape. The first removable module 11 comprises a portion of the array of cavities 2 of the game board 1.
The removable modules 11, 12, 13 each comprise reversible fastening means 51, 52, 53. These reversible fastening means are designed to cooperate with reversible fastening means of another removable module 11, 12, 13.
FIG. 8B shows one example of a second removable module 13 further comprising a portion of the peripheral abutment 3. In one example illustrated in FIG. 7 , the game board comprises 6 first triangular removable modules and 6 second removable modules 13 comprising a portion of peripheral abutment 3. The game board 1 further comprises a third module 12, illustrated in FIG. 8A, of circular general shape, arranged to form the junction is between the 6 first removable modules 11.
The peripheral abutment 3 of the second removable module 12 has an angle. The advantage of this angle is to enable a better rigidity of the game board 1 compared to where the angle would be formed at the junction between two removable modules 13. The angle of the abutment 3 is preferably around 120°. This angle makes it possible to build a game board 1 of which the peripheral abutment has a hexagonal shape.
The game board 1 thus formed forms a hexagon which is delimited by the peripheral abutment and an array of cavities within this peripheral abutment.
Different shapes and sizes of game boards 1 may thus be created with different removable modules. For example, a fourth removable module 14 as shown in FIG. 8C comprises a peripheral abutment portion 3 having a 60° angle. This module makes it possible to create a game board 1 of 6 branched star shape.
An example of a fifth removable module 15, illustrated in FIG. 8D, comprises two peripheral abutment portions 3 on either side of a portion of the array of cavities. This module 15 thus makes it possible to integrate a “corridor” of cavities 21 in the game board 1. This corridor may, for example, represent a starting point of the ball for a game.
An example of a sixth and seventh removable module 16, 17, illustrated in FIG. 8E, comprises a straight rectilinear peripheral abutment portion. These modules make it possible to mount a larger game board by placing such a module between two modules comprising a peripheral abutment portion having an angle 13, 14.
One example of an eighth removable module 18 illustrated in FIG. 8F, comprises a peripheral abutment portion having an angle of around 300°. One example of a ninth removable module 19 illustrated in FIG. 8G, comprises a peripheral abutment portion having an angle of around 240°. These eighth and ninth modules make it possible to create game boards with more varied shapes and may comprise hollow spaces inside the array and delimited by a border.
In one example, the game board 1 comprises a first number of removable modules 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 comprising a peripheral abutment is portion 3, so that their assembly forms a peripheral abutment and also a second number of removable modules 11, 12 to be placed inside the peripheral abutment 3 formed to complete the array of cavities 2.
The advantage is to be able to mount game boards of different shapes and sizes.
In one embodiment, a peripheral abutment 3 of a removable module 13, 14 comprises a male connector 41 at a first longitudinal end and a female connector 42 at a second longitudinal end of the peripheral abutment 3. The female connector 42 is designed to cooperate with the male connector 41 of a peripheral abutment 3 of another similar removable module and vice versa.
One advantage is to reinforce the rigidity of the structure and the fastening between two removable modules each comprising a peripheral abutment 3.
Fastening Between Modules
The removable modules 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, each comprise reversible fastening means 51, 52. These fastening means 51, 52, are designed to cooperate with other fastening means 51, 52, of another removable module. Cooperation between two removable modules is achieved by contact between two removable modules defined by a fastening border 5.
Fastening Border
The fastening border 5 between two removable modules may comprise on either side a portion of the array of cavities 2.
The fastening border 5 extends between the cavities 21 of the array of cavities 2 of the board 1.
In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6B, the fastening border 5 extends on either side of a line or column D of cavities 21 of the array of cavities 2. In other words, the fastening border 5 extends between the cavities 21 of a line or a column of cavities of the array while alternating sides. The fastening border 5 may extend in such a way as to snake between the cavities 21 of a column or a line D (between the two dotted lines) of the array of cavities 2, as illustrated in FIG. 6B.
Preferably, said column or line D extends in a direction perpendicular to a diagonal of a hexagon of the cavity hexagonal array.
In one embodiment, the fastening means comprise a plurality of is overhangs 55 each comprising at least one cavity of said plurality of cavities and a plurality of indentations 56 designed to receive the overhangs from another similar part.
The overhangs and indentations are preferably arranged alternately on the same lateral edge of the surface 4 of the part.
In one embodiment, each overhang comprises a single cavity of the array of cavities and each indentation corresponds to the space occupied by a single cavity. One advantage is to allow both a high fastening point density and continuity in the ordered array of cavities between the two surfaces of two parts fastened to each other, on both sides of the fastening border.
The advantage of such a fastening border 5 is to reinforce the rigidity of the connection between the two removable modules 11 by creating links in several directions of space.
Rails and Grooves
In one embodiment, the reversible fastening means comprise an alternation of rails 51 and grooves 52 along the fastening border 5. Each rail 51 and each groove 52 is designed to cooperate with a groove 52 and a rail 51 of another removable module 11 respectively. A rail 51 may be understood as a tab, the dimensions of which allow it to be inserted into a groove 52.
This type of fastening, notably when the fastening border 5 snakes between the cavities 21 of a column D of the array of cavities 1, advantageously makes it possible to prevent the separation of two modules 11 by traction. The rigidity of the fastening between the modules 11 when using the platform is thus reinforced.
Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the rails 51 are arranged along one part of the column D of cavities 21 along the fastening border 5 and the grooves 52 are arranged on the other part of the column D of cavities 21 along the fastening border. This advantageously makes it possible to reinforce the rigidity of the fastening between two adjacent modules 11, notably it is practically impossible to separate two modules 11 fastened in this way by pulling each module in traction.
Preferably, the rails 51 and/or the grooves 52 extend along the fastening border 5 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the surface 4 of the game board.
Preferably, the groove 52 extends along the fastening border 5 from a first rail 51 to a second rail 51. In one embodiment, the end 53 of a rail 51 is perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail 51 and/or the groove 52. In an alternative embodiment, said end 53 has a slope with respect to the longitudinal axis of the groove 52 and/or the rail 51. One advantage is to stiffen the blocking of the modules 11 when fastening between two removable modules 11.
Studs
In one example illustrated in FIG. 10 , the game board 1 may comprise studs 61. Each stud 61 may be arranged on the “back” surface of the game board 1. Back face 6 is taken to mean the face opposite the surface 4 of the board 1 comprising the array 2 of cavities.
Preferably, each stud is arranged on the other side of a cavity. Thus, by transparency, the stud is visible through a cavity 21. One advantage is to be able to use the stud to fasten a pad (not shown). A pad is then visible by transparency of the board through a cavity. A pad then advantageously makes it possible to associate with an associated cavity, a particular rule, for example if a ball comes to rest on said cavity.
A stud may also advantageously enable the fastening of a board base. The board base makes it possible to stabilize the board on a surface. Preferably, the board base makes it possible to adjust the height of the board, for example to ensure that the surface 4 is parallel to a horizontal level.
Material(s)
The game board 1 may be created by 3D printing or by injection. The board 1 may be made of polycarbonate, Plexiglas, or polystyrene, preferably of crystalline polystyrene or glass. Polycarbonate may be the preferred material. The advantage of polycarbonate is that it offers a better compromise between high rigidity, good transparency, better resistance to breakage and a low construction cost.
Preferably, the game board 1 is transparent. One advantage is to be able to place under the game board 1 a printed surface, the patterns of which are visible through the game board. The patterns on the printed surface may contain compartments, corresponding to cavities 21 of the game board 1. These compartments are thus visible through the board, under a cavity and make it possible to add special rules, for example when a ball comes to rest on a cavity corresponding to such a compartment.
Printed Support and Kit
The invention further comprises a kit 30. The kit 30 comprises a game board 1 according to the invention and a set of balls 31. Each ball is designed so that it can be placed in a cavity 21 of the game board 1.
The kit 30 may also comprise a board support 32. The board support comprises printed patterns visible through the transparent board. The printed patterns comprise at least one compartment, corresponding to a cavity of the board and visible through the game board.
In one embodiment, the kit comprises a plurality of removable modules as described above. The kit thus makes it possible to mount a game board of different sizes and shapes.
At least part of the removable modules preferably comprise portions of the peripheral abutment 3.

Claims

1. A ball game board, comprising a plurality of cavities arranged in a two-dimensional ordered array on a first surface of said ball game board, each cavity being designed to receive a ball and having a truncated cone shape comprising side walls and a bottom, wherein a slope of the side walls comprises an angle with respect to a plane of the first surface comprised between 130° and 165°.

2. The ball game board according to claim 1, further comprising a peripheral abutment at least partially surrounding the two-dimensional ordered array of cavities to stop a travel of a ball.

3. The ball game board according to claim 1, wherein said ball game part is transparent.

4. The ball game board according to claim 1, wherein a distance between two adjacent cavities of the two-dimensional ordered array is less than 20% of a length of a cavity.

5. The ball game board according to claim 1, wherein all the cavities of the two-dimensional ordered array are substantially identical.

6. The ball game board according to claim 1, comprising at least two parts, each part comprising means for reversible fastening to another similar part along a fastening border, the cavities of the first surface extending along the two parts and wherein each part comprises reversible fasteners to the other part along a fastening border.

7. The ball game board according to claim 6, wherein the fastening means comprise an alternation of rails and grooves designed to cooperate with grooves and rails of another similar part respectively.

8. The ball game board according to claim 1, wherein the cavities comprise a round base or a base of a regular polygon.

9. (canceled)

10. A kit comprising a ball game according to claim 8, and a set of balls designed to be immobilized in a cavity of the ball game board.

11. The ball game board according to claim 4, wherein the distance between two adjacent cavities of the array is less than 10% of the length of the cavity.