US3022075A - Game - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1962 c. J. BANNER 3,022,075

GAME

Filed Jan. 18, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .92 9068 4 6 fwf/afza P-5&1 1

INV EN TOR.

cwnnzfs J: A amy/vf@ Feb. 20, 1962 Filed Jan.

C. J. DAN NER GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR.

canal. 6' J? an/WYE@ Feb. 20, 1962 Filed Jan. 18, 1961 c. J. BANNER GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O Filed Jan. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 83,526 9 Claims. (Cl. 273-93) This invention relates to a. game simulating a competitive sport such as baseball, to be played by at least two opposing players representing the opposing teams, in particular the pitcher and the batter, and who, similar to the actual competitive sport, attempt to outguess Vor outplay each other by electing certain specific actions in view of the condition of the competition, as for example, the condition of the bases, the number of outs, the score, etc., with enough of an element of chance or luck involved so that the outcome or consequences of any selected action cannot always be predicted with cornplete certainty, but on the other hand will be in accordance with realistic probability.

The game is played utilizing a game device having a portion which may oe termed a bat to be handled by the player representing the batter, and another portion which may be termed a ball or pitch device to be handled by the player representing the pitcher. The batter may swing at the ball attempting a hit, a sacrifice, etc. by placing his bat adjacent the ball and if properly placed, and he has guessed the type of pitch, i.e., 'a curve, a slider, etc. that the pitcher is delivering, the batter will vhit the ball,.the outcome of which will be reflected at a play indicator, and, as with the actual sport, will be dependent partially on chance, partially upon how well the ball is hit and upon the conditions of the bases. The batter may, for example, hit the ball to the shortstop who throws him out at first base; or he may hit it between the elders 1for a single or a double; or there may be an error allowing him to `get on base or take an extra base, etc. On the other hand, the batter may miss the ball during his swing. This is suitably indicated electrically asa strike. If the batter decides not to swing, by not placing the bat adjacent the ball, and the pitcherwthrows a strike, or a ball, each is suitably indicated.`

rfhe game device may include the representation of a playing field, such as a baseball diamond, across which game pieces may be moved lby the players to keep track of base runners. The players exchange the bat and the ball after three outs The game may be played for nine innings, with eXtra innings to eliminate tie scores. Wherever possible the usual rules of the competitive sport being simulated are followed.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a relatively inexpensive game device which may be played by two or more players to simulate a competitive sport, such as baseball, and which involves some element of chance as well as the ability of the players to outguess each other, and with which game they may enjoy the same rules and possible outcomes of their selected actions as .is experienced by actually participating in the conipetitive sport being simulated.

'Ihis application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 846,754, tiled October l5, 1959.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features will more fully appear from the specication, claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a side view through a game device embodying the invention showing the same resting upon a table or the like, with the right-hand end in section taken along line 1-1 of FlG. 2;

FlG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. l',

FlG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows, in part, a portion of the play indicating cylinder as itwouldbeVv seen by the players `through the Mice atented Feb. 2G, i952 windows of the game device as well as the electric index -for indicating which line of play notations on the cylinder is to be referred to;

`FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the lipstanding panel or plate showing the plug and socket members, representing the ball and bat respectively, engaged on opposite sides of the panel;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the plug device;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the plug device;

I FIG. 8 is a view of the bat device; FIG. 9 is a view of the plug device looking in the direction of arrow 9 in FIG. 6;

IFIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view through the plunger switch of the socket device;

FIG. Vll is a somewhat schematic view of the upstanding panel as it would be seen by one of the players, acting for example, in the role of pitcher, and will be occasionally referred to hereinafter as the pitchers side;

FIG. l2 is a somewhat schematic view of the other side of the upstanding panel as would be viewed by the opposing player, such as one acting in the role of batter, and will be occasionally referred to hereinafter as the batters sideg FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the electric Wiring diagram of the panel as it would be seen by the pitcher;

IFIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a selector switch, hereinafter occasionally referred to as the batters -Vselectors switchg and FIG. l5 is a schematic representation of a step-down transformer for delivering electric current to the device, as wel-l as two switches and the electric motor.

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT each other across the board and viewing opposite sides ofthe upstanding panel 36 simulating the plate or more particularly the area over home plate through which the pitcher throws the Iball and through which the batter swings, as viewed by the player. The player at side Si), -starts irst as the batter, with the panel 36 disposed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The player at side 32 starts as the pitcher. Their roles are reversed when three outs are made, by removing the upstanding panel 36 which is removably plugged at its lower edge into the board, reversing it, and replugging it into the board.

Connected to the batters side 36a of the panel by electric leads 38 and 4t) which may be wrapped together as a cable 42, are socket means which may lbe in the form of a baseball bat 46, which the player at side 30, acting in the role of batter, manipulates. Plug means which may be in the form of a ball 48, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the pitch device, isV connected by electric lead 50 to the other side, or pitchers side 36b of the panel. The ball is manipulated by the player at side 32 acting in the role of pitcher. When the panel is reversed to reverse the roles of the players, the ball and bat are exchanged by the players.

The upper surface of the game board may be provided with the representation of a playing field, such as a baseball diamond 52 having a rst base, a second base, and a third base as well as base lines, all according to conventional practice. Playing pieces simulating base runners, not shown, may be provided which are moved by the players' around the diamond to follow and indicate the condition of the bases. At the right hand of the pitcher are means for indicating the outcome of various plays.

Such means `comprises a play indicating cylinder 102 visiblethrough eight windows 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66

' and 68, each window corresponding to one of the possible ing each window together with the sufiix`a -as shown both in FIGS. 2 and 4. T hus,rwindow 68 has three empty circles 68a indicating the bases are empty and the plays indicated on the cylinder and visible through such win; dow are those appertaining to the game when the bases are empty.

The player in the role of pitcher and manipulating vthe ball 48 may selectivelyjenergize any one of four prongs 72, 74, 76 and 78 extending in parallel relation from a at face 204 of the ball, by turning a iirst selector switch S 'incorporated in the pitch device, and hereinafter referredV to as a pitch selector switch. The four positions of this switch are shown in FIG. 7 at A, B, C and D. By this switch the pitcher may select whether he will throw respectively a fast ball, a sinker, -a curve, or a slider. After selecting the pitch he elects to throw he plugs the prongs of the pitch device into the panel 36.V

VVPanel 36 has twenty-live holes Vindicated at 82, extending therethrough and arranged in a regular pattern with the nine Vcentrally grouped holes Ycircumscribed by a square 84 and representing the strike zone. The holes outside the square represent pitches other than over Vthe plateV 'Ihe pitcher, in plugging in the pitch device, may select the area of the panel that he feels will best serve his purpose.

Adjacent each hole 82 and` on the batters side 36a of Y theY panel is a spring contact 36 (see FIG. 5) which engages the projecting end of a prong of the pitch device to make electrical connection therewith. The contacts adjacent Vthe holes in the strike zone enclosed by square 84 are serially wired to an electric indicator, such as a light bulb 88 at the upper edge of the panel above the word strike printed on opposite faces of the panel therebelow. The contacts outside of the strike'zone are serially wired to a plunger switch in the bat'46. Whilev a plunger switch in the bat is described herein, it will be understood that such switch may be a simple two-position switch mounted in any convenient location for manual operationrlby the player acting in the role of batter. The bat or socket 46 is provided with a pair of sockets 106 and 108 Ywhich are receivable over adjacent horizontally aligned projecting prongs of the pitch device. If the bat 46 is plugged'on tothe prongs projectingthrough the panel, and certain other conditions are fulfilled, then bulb 99 at the upper edge of the panel and also above the word strike will be illuminated.V If the batter elects Vnot to swing and therefore does not plug -thebat over the prongs, the bulb 92 at the upper edge of panel 36 and above Vthe word ball may be'illuminated.

" VOncethe pitcher has plugged the pitch device 48 Vinto 4 elects to swing he places the bat over -those two prongs (in a horizotnal plane) according to where he expects the pitch to be with Vregard to the strike and non-strike zones of panel 36, or in other words whether he expects the pitch to be over the plate, inside or outside, Vhigh or low. Assuming the batter decides to swing he lthen turns the batters selector switch VV104, appearing on his side of panel 36, Vto either the hit position, or to the sacrifice position or to steal position if there are one or more runners on base. Then the batter turns the action switch 94 to the second Vposition in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. 2 and l5. In so turning the action switch contact 98 is momentarily wiped, in turn momentarily energizing electric motor 100 and causing the play indicating cylinder 102 to spin beneath the windows 54-68. kWhen the cylinder stops revolving the outcome of the play is indicated through lthe appropriate window as more fully described hereinafter.

At position number 2 of the action switch 94a circuit is completed through the pitchers selector switch 80 to energize one ofthe prongs of the ball. kIf that prong energized is in engagement with one of the contacts 86 on the` batters side of plate' 36, either a strike or a ball will be registered by lights 88, 90 or 92, at the upper edge of the plate. If however the contact which would normally engage the energized prong is held out of contact by interposition of the bat device as shown in FIG. Y5, for contact 86a, then none of lights 88, 90 or 92 will be illuminated and the action will be noted at the play indicating cylinder.

If the contact 86a is held away from the energized prong, the socket 106 or 108 in the bat device, whichever socket is received over the energized'prong, will make electrical contact with the prong and, through the batterfs selector switch 104, energize one of the electric indicatorsrat the index 118 adjacent the play indicating cylinder. Such indicators preferably comprise a plurality of Y light bulbs 110, 112, 114 and 116 grouped in a Vc olumn one above the otheras shown in FIG. 4. Each of the bulbs is associated with a legend: sacrifice, light hit, heavy hit, and steal By reference to the lighted bulb and-reading laterally to that window which is to be associated Ywith the condition of the bases at the time of the play, the players can determine the Vout- 'come of the play as hereinafter more particularly described. f

' Playing the grime Y Y Assuming that we are starting with the first batter at the commencement of the game, the pitcher takes up the bal'l and plugs into the panel 36 .where he desires to deliver the ball in reference to the strike zone. VWith reference to FIG. l, assuming he places the ball so that the prongs occupy holes 82a,'8v2b, 82e and 82d, heVV then turns pitchers selector switch 80 to position C (see FIG. 7) to throw a curve ball. Thenhe turns action switch 94 at home plate to '-Yposition l causing Abulb96 to be lighted and indicating to the batterV that the pitch is on the way. The batter may. then choose to attempt a hit li he chooses the latter he merely turns action switch 94 to position number 2. Thiswill complete a circuit to light the panelV and has adjusted thev pitch selector switch 80 (either before or after the devicehas been lplugged intoV the panel) he grasps the action switch 9,4located at Y'home i` plate on the diamond of the playing board, and turns it Yto `position l shown inY FlGS. Zand 15. This causes an Yelectric indicator such Aas a light bulb 96 disposed, for example, at thepitchers-monnd, to be illuminated, in-

dicating to the batter that the pitch is on the Way.

The batter then may either swingj by plugging the f hat device 46 over two of the prongs of the -pitch device projecting through the plate or ,panel 36, or he may re Y' frain from swinging in anticipation of a ball If 'he 92 indicating a ball as the prong energized lies outside of the strike zone.

The pitcher then turns the action switch' 94 to the Ystarting position and either pulls the ball 48 from the panel Vto reposition it, or leaves it in the same position and turns the pitchers 'selector ,switch 80 to a new position. Assuming the pitcher Vselects a slider (position D), and does not remove the ball from the panel, this sets up prong 74 to be subsequently energized. The pitcher then turns they actionY switch 94 to position 1 indicating the pitch is on the way. The batter thereuponV decides whether rhe will swing or not. Assuming he elects to swing, he places thebat device 46 such that the two 4sockets 106 and 108 yare received over two of the four prongs projecting through the panel. Assuming he posi- Itions the sockets over prongs '72 and '74, he then sets the batters selector switch 134 to hit and turns the action switch 94 to position 2. This will complete a circuit through soclret 106 of the bat and energize light bulb 112 at the index 118 which will register a light hit (see FIG. 4). Reading from light hit to the right across to the window 68, and assuming the play indicating selector has stopped spinning at the position shown in FIG. 4, the batter would observe single 8 which would be interpreted to mean batter singles to center field. The batter would then move a game piece to the rst base position on the diamond= and play would be resumed along the lines above described. As nearly as possible the same rules used in the actual sport would be employed for scoring and otherwise playing the game.

Construction ,of game device The game comprises a frame in the forni or' a hollow shallow box 150 which may rest upon any suitable 'support suchas a table 151, with the top of the box providing the game board 34. The right-hand end of the box as viewed in FIGS. 1-3 is raised to provide a convex surface or cover 152 through which the windows 54-68 open exposing the play indicating cylinder 102 therebeneath. The cylinder is mounted on a shaft 154 carried at opposite ends by side walls 156 and 158 of the box. The cylinder is fixedly mounted on the shaft 'and `is driven by electric motor 100 (see FIG. 3) through belt drive or the like 160. A peripherally notched wheel 162 rigidly mounted on the shaft cooperates with a springloaded detent 164 to stop the cylinder in any one of sixteen possible positions.

The surface of the cylinder exhibits eight axially spaced 'apart columns of lines `of notations describing the outcome of various plays, one column for each of the winface of the cylinder in proper registration with notches in the wheel 162. The notations in each column cornprise a code corresponding to the code conventionally in use by persons acquainted with the shorthand of keeping track of the progress of the competitive sport. A suitable table may be provided which may either form a part of the game device itself, or be separate therefrom, to enable players unacquainted with the code to interpret same. An example of the table is set forth hereinafter.

Each of the columns of notations is appropriate for describing the possible outcome of plays with the bases in the condition with which the window exposing the column is to be associated. As mentioned herebefore, each window is provided with three circles thereabove indicating the condition Yof the rbases with which the window is to be associated. Furthermore, each line of notations exposed in each window is arranged to indicate the possible outcome of a play associated with either a sacrilice, a light hit, a heavy hit, or a stea. Therefore, in any one of the sixteen positions in which the cylinder may stop spinning, each window will expose four possible outcomes of the play, and each outcome will be associated with one of the indices of index 118. As a consequence, should the light .112 be illuminated with no runners on base, and with the cylinder stopped as shown in FIG. 4, the batter would read across horizontally to the window 68 `and would there note single 8 which .would be interpreted as before-mentioned.

Set forth below is a table set up to correspond to the various plays coded in the columns and appearing in the windows with the cylinder in the position shown in FIG. 4. PIG. 4 has been schematically reproduced above the table to facilitate understanding the correspondency between the code on the cylinder and the table. It is to be understood that the following table shows only one-sixteenth of the possible plays appearing on the indicating cylinder.

O O O o o' o o o o o o Oit C out 3-2; B-rd; Sacrifice Safe on ist; C Scores S.O.E. 2-4; B-Brd Out 5-3; Il-2nd No play.

n O111tt7; C out 7-2; B-2nd; A- Light hit, Out 5; C-Brd Out 1-3; B-Znd Out 6; A-lst Single 8.

Triple ABC Score Y Heavy hit Ont 9; C Scores Our. 5-3; B-Brd Double; A-Srd Home run. Cscfrcs (B ont); A-Znd. Steal C out 1-2 B safe at 3rd A. out 2-4 K No play.

.Y Batter out, catcher to first; Batter bunts and is safe Bat-ter hunts, is safe Out, 3rd to 1st; man on No bese runners, a sacriman onthlrd out. lst baseat'. first; man on 3rd when 2nd baseman lst advances to 2nd. tice is not possible.

man to catcher; man on scores. drops throw from 2nd goes to 3rd; man on catcher; man on 2nd rst to 2nd. goes to 3rd. Fly out to lett elfl. Nior- Flyout to 3rd baseman. Ont, pitcher to 1st. Fly out to shortstop',

Ruit-ier on 3rd remains.

on 3rd out Lfd. to catch; meu on 2nd and 1st do not advance.

Fly out to rt; field; man

first, second sind third score.

Mau on 3rd attempts to steal home. is out, pitcher to catcher.

M'an on 3rd scores; man on lst steals 2nd; man on 2nd out, catcher to 3rd baseman.

Runner remains on 2nd.

Man on 2nd base steals third.

man on lst remains.

Batter gets s double; man on lst goes to 3rd.

Man on 1st is out. stealin g 2nd, catcher to 2nd Batter singles to center field.

Home run hit by the batter.

No base runners, a steal is not possible.

baseman.

CODE

A-Mfm ou First; B-lilnn ou Second; C-Man on Third.

Fielder.

dows vSle-46,8.v The lines of notation, as shownkiri FIG.

l-Pitcher; E-Catcher; S-First Baseman; 4-Second Baseman; 5--Third Basernan; 6-Shortstop; T-Lelt Fielder; S-Center Fielder; Q-Right At the left end of the gaine board as viewed in FIGS.

Y 1 and 2, it is provided with ten electric sockets as shown FIGS. 11 and 1.2,v which operi upwardly to receive ten cooperating prongs extending downwardly from the lower edge of panel 36. The prongs and sockets are arranged in two groups of five each. One group are dummy prongs serving only for the purpose of mechanically stabilizing and anchoring the panel in yan upright position to the game board. The other set of ve prongs are electrically con- .75.: nectedto' conductors withinor on thenfaces'otthe panel Yin Pro. s.

conductive material and switch 80 is disposed in the de-V 36. The-conductors are connected to the sockets and extend within the shallow box G as schematically indi- Y cated in FIGS. 1l and 12. When the panel 36 is plugged into the sockets in the game board, the prongs and sockets, schematically shown at 166x168@ Mila, 172a, and l174a in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 complete electric circuits in corresponding conductors 166, 168, 170, 172 and 174.

The panel 36 is formed lof electrically non-conductive material. The conductors 166, 168,' 170, 172 and l174 extend through it orare disposed on it in any suitable fashion. The contacts 86, which areV formed of an electrically conductive spring material, are secured to the batters side 36a of the panel in lany suitable fashion.

Y Each contact is generally J-shaped as shown, withV the lower end adapted to engage the prongs 12, 74, 76 and 78 of the ball 43 to make electric contact therewith, as`

shown by prong 78 in FIG.V 5. Suitable conductors serially connect contacts '82 as schematically shown in FIG. 13, to provide nine contactsin the strike area which connect with the bulb 88. The remaining contactsV 82 are serially connected by conductor 182 with a plunger switch in thebat 46 as shown in FIGS. l() and 13. The plunger switch will automatically determine whether the bulb 96 or 92 is energized depending upon whether, the batter swings by plugging his bat to the prongsr projecting through the panel from the pitch device or ball, or whether the batter does not swing anticipating a ball and therefore doesYV not plug in the bat. The switch is provided with an electrically conductive plunger 184 having non-conductive ferrule 186 thereon, with the plunger tensioned outwardly by an electrically conductive spring 188 to which conductor 182 is connected. Any suitable means may be provided for limiting the outward projection' of the plunger. At the outermost projected position of Ythe plunger, ring 186 covers an electrically conductive ferrule 190 disposed in la groove in the lbat and connected to conductor 1-9-2, preventing an electric circuit through the plunger between conductors 182 and 192. However, the plunger bears against electrically conductive ferrule 194 disposed in a suitably provided groove in the bat and to whichV ferrule lead 196 is connected, thereby establishing a circuit be- (not shown) ,to deliver, current to a step-down transformer 272 and from. thence to the action switch 94.

What is claimed is:

l. In a game device for simulating a competitive sport: a member having a surface exhibiting a plurality of possible plays 'for determining the progress of the game, an upstanding panel having a plurality of holes extending therethroughk from one face to the opposite face thereof, a plug device for removable juxtaposition on onerface of the panel and provided with a plurality of electrically conductive prongs extendable through the holes in the panel when the plug device is juxtaposed on the panel, means for selectively energizing individual prongs, a socket device having a lesser number of electrically conductive sockets than the number of prongs on the plug device with the sockets receivable in electrically conductive relation over the projectingV ends of individual prongs when the socket device is juxtaposed on the opposite face of the-'panel from the plug device, indicating means disposed adjacent said surface of the member for indicating the plays to be read thereon and including electrically operated indicators,.andan electric circuit connected to said sockets and selectivelyconnectable with the indicators vfor selective encrgization .ofV the indicating means when a socket is received over an energized prong.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said indicators comprise a plurality of light bulbs and said electric vcircuit is connected to each bulb and includes a selector switch for selectively connecting one bulb to each socket. p

3. The invention as deiined -in .claim lrcharacterized in that said member is rotatably mounted and said indicating means disposed adjacent the surface of the member includes portions overlying said-surface and allowing exposure of aV predetermined area thereof, said indicating means further including a plurality of 'light bulbs disposed fin registry with possibleplays on Vthe surface .of said member exposed to view, and said electric circuit is contween lead 182 and 196. When the bat is plugged on the Y prongs of the ball, the plunger is pushed inwardly and an electric circuit between conductorsV 182 and 192 established, and the connection between conductors 182 and 196 broken, as shown in FIG. V10.

The-bat device 46 may, if desired, be VVshaped'rto rep-Y resent a baseball bat orY a portion thereof, and is formedV of electrically non-conductive material. The electrically conductive sockets therein, 106, and 108, are connected to the batters switch 104 by insulated electric leads 38 and heretofore mentioned,` which may be wrapped Ytogether as a cable 42. The pitch device 48 may, if desired, be shapedas a ball, having however a at face 204 to about and overlie the face 36b Yof the panel as shown Device Y48 is formed of electrically nonvice. The switch may be of conventional rotary switch designhaving four stationary contacts and a moving contact asschematically shown in FIG. 15; theV four sta- :tionary contacts being `indicated at A, B, C, and D. The

V left and in this fashion the player acting in the role of Ybatter may be alternatively either a right-hand or a lefthand batter. The pitcher may also simulate either a right-hander or a left-hander by rotating the ball 180 degrees. g

' A conventional .electric cord .270 ,shown in FIGS. l, 2 and l5 maybe plugged into a convenient electric outlet nectedrto said bulbs and selectively operable to connect an individual bulb with an individual socket.Y

4. A game device for simulating a competitive sport comprising, in combination: a frame, a member rotatably mounted on the frame, a plurality of notations on the surface of the rotatable member indicating the outcome of various plays, a panel upstanding from kthe frame and yhaving a plurality of holes extending therethrough from Yone face to the opposite face thereof, a plug device having at least two Velectrically conductive prongs extend-V able through the holes in the panel when the plug device is juxtaposed on lone face of the panel, socket lmeans having two electrically conductive'sockets receivable over the projecting ends of two prongs when the socket means are juxtaposed on the opposite face of the panel, shiftable electric contact means on the panel for electrically engaging the prongs, said socket means having a portion for engaging and shifting said contact means on the panel out of electrical engagement withrthe prongs over kwhich the socketsV are received, an electric indicator connected to said contact means to be energized upon completion of arcircuit by engagement of an energized prong with said contact means, rst selector means for selectively energiz'ing one of said prongs, two electric indicatorsrdisposed adjacent said surface of the rotatable member for indicating which notations thereon are to be referred to during play of the game, and electric circuit means connecting each of said two electric indicators to one of said sockets. Y Y

5. A game device for simulating a competitive sport comprising, in combination: a frame, a member rotatably mounted on 'the frame, a plurality of notations on the surface of the rotatable member indicating .theV outcome YVof various playsa panel upstanding from the frame and able through the holes in the panel when the plug device is juxtaposed on one face of the panel, socket means having at least one electrically conductive socket receiv- -able over the projecting end of one of the prongs when the socket means are juxtaposed on the opposite face of the panel, shiftable electric contact means on the panel for electrically engaging the prongs, said socket means having a portion for engaging and shifting said contact means on the panel out of electrical engagement with a prong over which the socket is received, an electric indicator connected to said contact means to be energized upon completion of a circuit by engagement of an energized prong with said contact means, rst selector means for selectively energizing one of said prongs, a plurality of electric indicators adjacent said surface of the rotatableV member for indicating which notations thereon are to be referred to during playing of the game, and second selector means electrically connected with said socket and operable to selectively electrically connect the socket with one of said plurality of indicators.

6. In a game device for simulating a competitive sport: a member having a surface exhibiting a plurality of possible plays for determining the progress of the game, an upstanding panel having a plurality of holes extending therethrough from one face to the opposite face thereof, a plug device for removable juxtaposition on one face of the panel and provided with a plurality of electrically conductive prongs extendable through the holes in the panel when the plug device is juxtaposed on the face of the panel, means for selectively energizing individual prongs, a socket device having a lesser number of electrically conductive sockets than the number of prongs on the plug device with the sockets receivable in electrical connection over the projecting ends of the prongs when the socket device is juxtaposed on the op posite face of the panel, at least two electric indicators disposed adjacent said surface of the member for indicating which possible plays thereon are to be referred to during playing of the game, electric circuit means for connecting said sockets selectively to each indicator, shiftable electric contact means on the panel for elecnically engaging the prongs, means on said socket device for engaging and shifting said contact means out of electrical engagement with a prong over which a socket is received, and an electric indicator connected to said contact means to be energized upon completion of a circuit by engagement of an energized prong with said Contact means.

7. A game device for use by at least two players for simulating a competitive sport comprising, in combination: a game board having on its upper surface the representation of a playing field upon which the competitive sport is played and across which playing pieces may be moved to keep track of the location of simulated players during playing of the game, a cylinder rotatably mounted on the board at one edge thereof and having a plurality of axially spaced apart peripheral columns of lines of notations upon its surface indicating the outcome of various plays, means cooperating with the cylinder for stopping its rotation at any one of a variety of positions to expose to view a plurality of lines of notations in each column, means on the board adjacent the cylinder in registry with each column and indicative of which column is to be used in accordance with the location of game pieces on the playing field, electric plug means for manipulation by one player and having a plurality of prongs, electric socket means for manipulation by another player and having at least one socket cooperable with a prong of the plug means to establish an electric circuit therebetween, a panel upstanding from the board and provided with a plurality of holes therethrough and through which the prongs of the plug means may be extended to project beyond the opposite face of the panel with the socket receivable over the projecting end of one 1G of the prongs, a first selector switch electrically connected to said prongs to be manipulated by one player to selectively energize one of the prongs, a plurality of electric indicators arranged adjacent the periphery of the cylinder in lateral registry with the lines of the columns of notation exposed to view when the cylinder stops rotating for indicating which lines are to be utilized'in playing the game, a second selector switch connected to said socket and to said electric indicators for manipulation by the opposing player for selectively setting up a circuit to energize one of the indicators, electric contacts on the panel adjacent the holes therethrough to engage the prongs projecting through the holes to establish an electric circuit therewith, said socket means having a portion for shifting a contact on the panel out of engagement with a prong over the projecting end of which the socket is received, an electric indicator connected to said contacts to be energized upon completion of the circuit cy engagement of an energized prong with a contact, and an action switch connected to the first selector switch and to a source of electric current to be manipulated by one of the players to deliver current to the first selector switch after the prongs of the plug have been extended through the panel and the socket connected to one of the prongs and the first selector and second selector switches have been manipulated as desired by the players.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7 characterized in that said panel is removably mounted on the game board.

9. A game device for use by at least two players for simulating a competitive sport comprising, in combination: a shallow box closed at its sides and top with the upper surface of the top being generally at and exhibting the representation of a playing held upon which the competitive sport is played and across which playing pieces may be moved to keep track of the location of simulated players during playing of the game, a cylinder rotatably mounted upon and between the side walls of the box ad jacent one end of the box and having a plurality of axially spaced apart peripheral columns of lines of notations upon its surface indicating the outcome of various plays, said shallow box having a wall portion extending over the cylinder and provided with openings therethrough in registry with each column of lines of notations and exposing a determined number of plays in each column, means cooperating with the cylinder for stopping its rotation at any one of a variety of positions to expose to view through said openings said determined number of plays in each column, means on said wall portion adjacent each opening and indicative of which opening is to be used in referring to the columns of the cylinder in accordance with the location of game pieces on the playing eld, motor means drivingly connected with said cylinder for spinning the same, electric plug means for manipulation by one player and having a plurality of prongs, electric socket means for manipulation by another player and having at least one socket cooperable with a prong of the plug means to establish an electric circuit therebetween, a panel upstanding from the box at one end thereof and provided with a plurality of holes therethrough and through which the prongs of the plug means may be extended to project beyond the opposite face of the panel with the socket receivable over the projecting end of one of the prongs, a first selector switch electrically connected to said prongs to be manipulated by one player to selectively energize one of the prongs, a plurality of electric indicators mounted on said wall portion adjacent said openings therethrough and in lateral registration with each or" the possible plays exposed to view through said openings for indicating which plays are to be utilized in playing the game, a second selector switch connected to said socket and to said electric indicators for manipulation by the opposing player for selectively setting up a circuit to energize one of the indicators, electric contacts on the panel adjacent the holes therethrough to engage the prongs Y 11 Y Y projecting through the holes to establish an eleetric'cir cuit therewith, said socket means having a portion for -sshifting'a contacten the panel out of engagement with Ya prong over the projecting'end of which a socket is received, an electric indicator connected tosaid contacts to ulated by one of the players to deliver current to the first 10 selector switch and momentarily energize the motor after the prongs of the plug Yhave been extended through the panel andthe socket connected to one of the'prongs and the first selector and second selector switches have been manipulated as desired bythe players.

References Cited vin the ie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,628,101 ,Prentice A.; Pebl 10, 1953

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