US3899174A

US3899174A - Football game

Info

Publication number: US3899174A
Application number: US357223A
Authority: US
Inventors: James P Berarducci
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-05-04
Filing date: 1973-05-04
Publication date: 1975-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-12

Abstract

A simulated football game made up of a platform having a longitudinal slot extending along each edge of the platform. A post extends up through each of the longitudinal slots and a line is connected between the posts. Each post is supported on a nut that is carried by a lead screw located below the table and parallel to the longitudinal slot. One of a plurality of templates is located below the platform. The operator selects one of the templates provided for the particular play and puts it into the machine under the platform and over a continuous magnetic belt. The playing pieces on top of the platform have magnetic bases. A transfer piece made of magnetic material is supported in the template beneath each piece. Thus, when the belt moves, the magnets slide along the belt and follow the slots in the templates. A simulated offensive playing piece is supported on the platform above each transfer piece. The belt through the transfer pieces urges the offensive playing pieces to follow a path defined by the slots in the templates. Thus, by selecting the templates, different offensive plays can be made.

Description

United States Patent Berarducci Aug. 12, 1975 FOOTBALL GAME [76] Inventor: James P. Berarducci, 1769 W. 26th St., Erie, Pa. 16508 [57] ABSTRACT Fl (1: Ma 4 1973 [22] 1 e y A simulated football game made up of a platform hav- [21] Appl. No; 357,223 ing a longitudinal slot extending along each edge of the platform. A post extends up through each of the 52 us. c1 273/94 R Ongitudinal slots a line is mmected belween 9" posts. Each post is supported on a nut that is carried [51] Int.Cl. ..A63f7/06 b lid 1 tdbl h tb] d I [58] Field of Search 273/1 M, 94 R, 108; ya scfew 0C3 8 e para 8 the longitudinal slot. One of a plurality of templates 15 46/240 located below the platform. The operator selects one [56] References Cited of the templates provided for the particular play and puts it mto the machine under the platform and over a UNITED STATES PATENTS continuous magnetic belt. The playing pieces on top 2,l0l,764 Swart R of the platform have magnetic bases A transfer piece 24,80,478 ll/l939 Pe kalski et al 273/94 R made of g i material is supported in the 2-63.115 ll/l94l Winter 273/94 R plate beneath each piece Thus when the belt moves, 2,528,938 11/1950 Wolf..... 273/94 R h l h b l d f H h 1 2 760 776 8/1956 Tullio.... 273 94 R t e magnets e t e e t 0 e he tem lates A simulated offensive playm iece is 2,995,372 8/1961 Hl1lS.... 273/87 R t P g P 33315962 4/1967 Budal U 273/94 R supported on the platform above each transfer plece. 3,419271 12/1963 waskosky 2 3 94 R The belt through the transfer pieces urges the offen- 3 559,992 2/1971 Kramer 273/94 R sive playing pieces to follow a path defined by the -7672,674 6/1972 Reed 273/85 R slots in the templates. Thus, by selecting the tem- Waldrop R plates different ffensive plays can be made Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello 15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I I I 1 l 24 l I I 1 "a I l ll9 7 +0 33 ll 11, 1 w fill

M16

4, 2 mml-lun- -lnl I I I I )l I PATENTEU AUG! 2 I975 SHEET FIG. 7

FOOTBALL GAME GENERAL STATEMENT OF INVENTION Inasmuch as football has become a popular spectator sport in America, it is only fitting that a better game simulating real football be developed. The simulated game must posses enough of the real character of actual football in order to appeal to persons having some football knowledge. The game apparatus to be herein described reproduces actual play-action better than any of its predecessors.

Football as a game or subject of conversation is laden with much jargon. These terms are the best way of describing many aspects of the game and some of the descriptions used here will contain them.

The salient features of this football game are the offensive template play card versus strategy defensing. The rules of the simulated game will be very similar to actual football rules with some minor modifications.

The game described herein provides each player with a complete offensive and defensive team. Both teams consist of 11 playing pieces (referred to hereafter as men). The defensive team is physically different from the offensive team in size and base construction. At any particular time during the game, one of the players has possession of the ball and is using his offensive team; and the other player will be using his defensive team.

Play is initiated in the following manner: Assume the opening kick-off has been completed and the first series of downs are beginning. The player on offense has various offensive plays at his disposal. These plays are in the form of template play cards. Each template card is a complete play and guides each offensive man to carry out a specific football duty. By virtue of the design of these template cards, offensive men will be able to: run with the ball, set up blocking, run pass patterns or virtually anything a real football player might do during a play. Passing the ball and field goal kicking are not discussed here since these features are easily duplicated by a number of available devices. What is important is that the pass receiver will be running a specific pattern as governed by the template card. The number of different template cards that will be feasible to manufacture will be great enough to give the offensive player a diversified and potent game plan. This gives the game added dimension. Choosing the correct type of play for the situation at hand becomes less guess work; it involves thought. The entire offensive team is moved by a magnetic belt. The descriptions below elaborate on the exact mechanism.

The defensive player can stop the offensive player who is armed with such a resorceful collection of plays by strategy. Even though the defense is basically stationary, it can be set up to the will and anticipation of the defensive player. Some of the defensive men can be moved during a play in order to augment the strength of the defensive structure. The mechanism for moving defensive men is described below. The defensive player must anticipate the offense and then correctly set up for it. At first, it may appear that the defense is playing at a great disadvantage. This is not so due to the followin modifications:

1. Each defensive man will be constructed heavier than any corresponding offensive man. The weight factor makes it harder for a defensive man to get blocked out of a play.

2. Each defensive man will have a small magnet in the front of his base. The eligible ball-carrying offensive men will have a small piece of magnetic material (steel) in the corresponding part of their base. If an offensive man carrying the ball comes too close to a defensive man, the magnetic attraction will cause a collision which constitutes a tackle. This same attraction will also cause a defensive back to become attached to a prospective pass receiver, thus creating pass coverage. These features are not shown in the figures but will be employed as supplemental designs in the actual embodiment of the game apparatus.

3. A drag line (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4) has been incorporated to move only defensive men if the need arises. For instance, the defensive player can blitz his line backers by actuating the drag line. This is an optional defensive weapon. The drag line can be used to move any or all of the defensive men. It will not interfere with the offensive men since the 0ffensive men are constructed shorter and will not contact the drag line.

The game pieces can be painted to resemble real football players, and other small details may be incorporated, such as goal posts, whereby this simulated game will produce very realistic football play action.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR ART Various simulated football games have been suggested. For example, the games shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,180,478, U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,674 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,271. However, none of these games have utilized the novel principle suggested by applicant in this application.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention or provide an improved simulated football game.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simulated football game wherein selected templates are used to simulate different plays of the offensive football team.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simulated football game that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and interesting and educational in its use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simulated football game that utilizes a magnetic belt which through the use of permanent magnets moves the offensive playing piece about the playing surface.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the game apparatus showing the internal drive mechanisms by partial removal of the playing surface. 7

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the offensive drive mechanism taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the defensive drive mechanism taken on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional viewof both drive mechanisms taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the game apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified top view of one of the templates used in the game.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional view taken on line 77 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The simulated football game shown by way of example is made up of a generally rectangular top 5 which serves as a playing field supported at its marginal edges by ends 1 and 2 and

sides

3 and 4 to form a rectangular enclosure for the

rollers

8 and 18, belt 7, threaded

rods

11 and 12, and templates 24.

The endless belt 7 is made of magnetic material and is supported on transversely extending longitudinally spaced

rollers

8 and 18.

Shafts

6 and 19 are joumalled in

sides

3 and 4 and have cranks and 22 fixed to the ends of the shafts by which the

rollers

8 and 18 may be rotated.

Cranks

20 and 22, via

handles

21 and 23, provide an example of means to rotate the rollers. Obviously the rollers could be rotated by electric motors or any other suitable means as well as by the cranks.

The template 24 is supported between the belt 7 and the top 5. The templates are made of suitable rigid sheetlike material such as fiberboard with ends 36 disposed parallel to side 3. Means is provided for mounting the template to provide movement of the belt relative to the template. The means for providing such relative movement is not shown, however, such means will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The template is provided with

slots

37, 40 and 41 that are formed in the configuration that will cause the transfer pieces to move in the desired pattern as will be more fully explained later herein. The slots 37 shown in dotted lines are the same Width to receive a transfer piece 33 as

slots

40 and 41 but are shown in dotted lines by way of illustration. The shape of each of the slots on a given template will be made to control the movement of the particular transfer piece 33 during the particular play.

Laterally spaced threaded

shafts

11 and 12 are journalled in the

ends

1 and 2.

Shafts

11 and 12 may be rotated by

cranks

27 and 25, via

handles

28 and 26, for example, or they could be rotated by any suitable means that will be obvious to any person skilled in the art. The

shafts

11 and 12 carry the threaded nuts 13 and 14 and

posts

15 and 16 extend upwardly from the threaded nuts through the top surface of the table top through

longitudinal slots

42 and 43 in the table top member 5.

Posts

15 and 16 are fixed to and carried by the threaded

shafts

11 and 12.

Shafts

11 and 12 may be rotated by cranks and 27 to move the posts along the table top. A cord 17, which may be in the form of a wire, is fixed to each of the

posts

15 and 16 and spaced above the table top a distance slightly less than the height of the defensive playing pieces 46 but higher than the height of the offensive playing pieces 29.

The transfer pieces are made up of

permanent magnets

34 and 35 set into the ends of the body 33 of the transfer pieces. The body 33 of the transfer pieces may be made of a magnetic material to provide a path to carry the magnetic flux from the permanent magnets 34 to the magnetic belt and from the permanent magnets 35 to the base 30 of the offensive playing piece.

This magnetic field,,through the base 30, may be reinforced by the magnets 31.

The transfer pieces have a peripheral groove which receives the material along the margins of the

slots

40 and 41 so that the intermediate part of the transfer pieces slides in the

slots

41 and 40 and are moved along by the force of the belt 7 on magnets 34.

The belt 7 is made of a magnetic material such as thin steel sheet and forms a continuous loop around the rollers. The upper run of the belt is arranged in close relationship with the underside of the transfer members 33 so that the magnets 34 in the bottom of the transfer members attract the belt and exert a force between the belt and the transfer members. Thus, when the belt moves from end to end, the transfer members are urged to follow the slot by the force exerted on them due to magnetic attraction of the magnets to the belt.

The upper end of the transfer member 33 moves in close proximity to the underside of the top 5 and the magnets 35 are attracted to the magnets 31 in the base 30 of the pieces in the case of the offensive playing pieces 29.

The transfer piece 33 rests directly upon the drive belt 7. Installed within (but exposed) the transfer piece 33 are two magnets. The lower magnet 34 via its magnetic field is held to the drive belt 7. Through this attachment the transfer piece 33 is dragged along with the drive belt 7 as it moves. This motion is suggested by the arrow. The transfer piece 33 is guided by a slotted template card 24. The transfer piece 33 unerringly follows the slot into which it has been installed. The movement of two transfer pieces 33 within a slotted template card 24 is shown in FIG. 6. As the transfer piece 33 moves through the slotted template card 24, the upper magnet 35 comes into play. The magnetic field of this magnet 35 acts through the stationary playing surface 5 and upon the magnet 31 in the base 30 of an offensive playing piece 29. Naturally, the polarities of

magnets

35 and 31 are opposite to produce the required attraction. Thus, the offensive playing piece 29 is moved via these magnetic attractions and is guided by the template card 24.

Each template card 24 will be designed as a specific football play. Each card 24 will have eleven different slots. However, for simpf er illustrative purposes only two slots are actually shown herein. The remaining nine slots are represented by dashed lines 37. There are two kinds of slots which can be found on any template card 24. One kind of slot 40 terminates within the periphery of the template card 24. As shown, the transfer piece 33 will be dragged along and guided in this slot 40 as shown by the arrow. Upon reaching the end of the slot 40, the transfer piece 33 and the offensive playing piece 29 will stop. The other kind of slot 41 is openended. When the transfer piece 33 reaches the end of this slot 41, it can still proceed down field dragging the offensive playing piece 29 with it. Therefore, each template card 24 is a different offensive football play. Each offensive play can be stopped by proper defensing or proceed to a touchdown.

With regard to FIG. 5, specifically, it depicts the drag line 17 moving a defensive playing pieces 46. The drag line 17 is attached to

posts

15 and 16. These posts extend up through

slots

42 and 43 in the playing surface 5. The mechanism for operating thedrag line 17 has been described in FIGS. 1 and 3. First, it must be stated that the drag line 17 will not interfere with the motion of any offensive playing pieces 29 because it will be higher than them (see FIG. 3). Thus, the defensive playing pieces 46 will be manufactured taller than the offensive playing pieces 29. The drag line 17 will not necessarily be used for each play of the game. This is up to the discretion of the defensive player. If the defensive player has properly set up his defense he may not need to use the drag line 17 for additional movements during the course of a play. This decision is made by the defensive player during play action just as decisions are made by real players. It gives the defense added dimension. Also shown in this view are the

goal posts

44 and 45.

The following is a step-by-step description of the procedure for setting up and executing one play. This play will be considered the first offensive play of the game after the opening kick-off has been completed.

Kick-off The procedure for setting up kick-offs and returns will be flexible enough to give the players variety. There will be kick-off templates provided for the receiving team and the kicking team will employ the drag line 17.

Step 1:

(Note: This step is to be completed without the defensive player observing the results) The offensive player chooses one of the play template cards for the situation at hand. He then makes certain that all the transfer pieces are in their proper starting positions within the

slots

37, 40 and 41. He then lifts one edge of the removable playing surface (field) and inserts the template card upon the two longitudinal supports. This places the template card and transfer pieces directly above the drive belt and in close proximity to the playing surface after it is lowered to its proper position.

Step 2:

With the playing surface back in its horizontal position the offensive playing pieces (men) are now positioned upon the field. Each of the 11 men is placed directly over one of the transfer pieces until the magnetic force is apparent. This completes the line-up of the offensive team.

Step 3:

At this point, the defensive player observes the offensive line. He must use his intuition and knowledge of the ame to predict the offensive play. His most important resource is strategy. He then positions his men to stop the offensive play. He knows he can use the drag line once play is started. Both teams are now ready for play.

Step 4:

Play is initiated by the offensive player the instant he starts the drive belt in motion and his men begin to move. the defensive player may move his men via the drag line if it becomes necessary. If he has properly placed his men, the play will end by a tackle. The ball carrier touching a defensive playing piece constitutes a tackle. After the play is over, the sequence is repeated again for the second play of the series.

The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its preferred practical forms but the structure shown is capable of modification within a range of equivalents without departing from the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is commensurate with the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed as defined as follows:

l. A simulated game including a first playing piece representing a first player,

a second playing piece representing a second player,

a playing field made up of a sheet of relatively rigid material having a slot extending along each side thereof and supporting said players,

a belt made of magnetic material having a part movable in a plane parallel to said playing field, means supporting said belt on said game,

a template supported between said belt and said playing field,

means mounting said template to provide relative movement between said template and said belt,

a transfer member supported on said template,

means on said transfer member for exerting a force on said belt whereby said belt moves said transfer member relative to said template,

means on the upper end of said transfer member for exerting a force on said playing pieces whereby said playing pieces move over said playing surface in accordance with the movement of said transfer member along said template.

2. The game recited in claim 1 wherein said playing pieces are divided into an offensive team and a defensive team,

said playing pieces of said defensive team are a different size than the said playing pieces of said offensive team.

3. The game recited in claim 2 wherein said transfer member is supported on said template by means of a slot in said template and said transfer member has means received in said slot in said template whereby said playing pieces amy be moved along said slot in said template.

4. The game recited in claim 3 wherein said transfer members comprise permanent magnets adapted to exert a magnetic force on said belt and on said playing pieces.

5. The game recited in claim 4 wherein said defensive playing pieces have a differnet magnetic structure from said offensive playing pieces, whereby a force of a different magnitude is exerted on said defensive playing pieces than on said offensive playing pieces.

6. The game recited in claim 1 wherein two spaced threaded rods are rotatably supported on to said playing surface,

nut members threadably supported on said rods,

a post attached to each said nut,

said posts extending upwardly through spaced slots in said playing surface,

said posts have a wire attached thereto and extending therebetween and over said playing surface,

and handles on said rods whereby said rods can be rotated thereby moving said wire across said surface to push said playing pieces along said surface to simulate a blitz play.

7. The game recited in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said belt comprises spaced rollers,

said spaced rollers are supported on said game below said playing field and a handle is disposed on each said roller whereby said belt can be moved relative to said plane.

8. A simulated football game comprising,

a platelike member having a relatively flat playing surface on its top,

a sheetlike template disposed below said playing surface,

a playing piece supported on said playing surface,

guide means on said template and means on said guide means to direct a force through said playing surface onto said playing pieces whereby said playing pieces are guided over said surface,

a sheet of magnetic material below said template,

and means to provide relative movement between said template and said magnetic sheet,

and magnetic means supported on said template acting on said magnetic sheet,

and manual means connected to said sheet for moving said sheet and thereby moving said magnetic pieces.

9. The game recited in claim 8 wherein said playing pieces are divided into defensive playing pieces and offensive playing pieces,

said defensive playing pieces are a different size than said offensive playing pieces.

10. The game recited in claim 8 wherein a plurality of said templates is provided, each said template having a different pattern of guide means thereon whereby said playing pieces may be guided to simulate strategic plays.

11. a game comprising a rectangular playing surface having longitudinally extending slots therein,

spaced rollers supported below said playing surface and a continuous belt made of magnetic material rotatably supported on said rollers,

a template supported between said playing surface on said belt, a slot in said template,

a transfer piece,

a playing piece having magnetic means thereon,

said transfer piece having a part thereof disposed through said slot whereby said slot guides said transfer piece in movement relative to said template,

the lower part of said transfer piece engaging said belt,

the upper part of said transfer piece being disposed in close proximity to the bottom of said playing surface, a permanent magnet set in the bottom of said transfer piece,

and a second permanent magnet set into the top of said transfer piece,

said bottom magnet being disposed adjacent said belt whereby said bottom magnet exerts a magnetic force on said belt,

said top magnet being adapted to exert a magnetic force on a playing piece having magnetic means thereon supported on said playing surface whereby said transfer pieces are moved along said slot in said template and said playing piece is moved over said playing surface when said belt is moved,

and means connected to said rollers to rotate said rollers whereby said belt is moved when said rollers are rotated.

12. the game recited in claim 11 wherein longitudinal threaded rods are supported on said game,

said threaded rods having nuts thereon and posts fixed to said nuts extending through said longitudinal slots and a cord fixed to said post and extending above the top surface of said playing surface a predetermined distance.

13. The game recited in claim 12 wherein offensive playing pieces and defensive playing pieces are provided,

said offensive playing pieces being of lesser height than said defensive playing pieces,

said cord being supported above said rectangular playing surface a distance lesser than the height of said defensive playing pieces but greater than the height of said offensive playing pieces whereby said offensive playing pieces may be moved by rotating said threaded rods thereby moving said cord into engagement with said offensive playing pieces.

14. The game recited in claim 11 wherein at least a part of said transfer piece is made of magnetic material whereby a path for magnetic lines of force from said permanent first magnet to said belt is provided.

15. The game recited in claim 11 wherein a separate slot is provided in said template for each said offensive playing piece.

Claims

1. A simulated game including a first playing piece representing a first player, a second playing piece representing a second player, a playing field made up of a sheet of relatively rigid material having a slot extending along each side thereof and supporting said players, a belt made of magnetic material having a part movable in a plane parallel to said playing field, means supporting said belt on said game, a template supported between said belt and said playing field, means mounting said template to provide relative movement between said template and said belt, a transfer member supported on said template, means on said transfer member for exerting a force on said belt whereby said belt moves said transfer member relative to said template, means on the upper end of said transfer member for exerting a force on said playing pieces whereby said playing pieces move over said playing surface in accordance with the movement of said transfer member along said template.

2. The game recited in claim 1 wherein said playing pieces are divided into an offensive team and a defensive team, said playing pieces of said defensive team are a different size than the said playing pieces of said offensive team.

6. The game recited in claim 1 wherein two spaced threaded rods are rotatably supported on to said playing surface, nut members threadably supported on said rods, a post attached to each said nut, said posts extending upwardly through spaced slots in said playing surface, said posts have a wire attached thereto and extending therebetween and over said playing surface, and handles on said rods whereby said rods can be rotated thereby moving said wire across said surface to push said playing pieces along said surface to simulate a ''''blitz'''' play.

7. The game recited in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said belt comprises spaced rollers, said spaced rollers are supported on said game below said playing field and a handle is disposed on each said roller whereby said belt can be moved relative to said plane.

8. A simulated football game comprising, a platelike member having a relatively flat playing surface on its top, a sheetlike template disposed below said playing surface, a playing piece supported on said playing surface, guide means on said template and means on said guide means to direct a force through said playing surface onto said playing pieces whereby said playing pieces are guided over said surface, a sheet of magnetic material below said template, and means to provide relative movement between said template and said magnetic sheet, and magnetic means supported on said template acting on said magnetic sheet, and manual means connected to said sheet for moving said sheet and thereby moving said magnetic pieces.

9. The game recited in claim 8 wherein said playing pieces are divided into defensive playing pieces and offensive playing pieces, said defensive playing pieces are a different size than said offensive playing pieces.

11. a game comprising a rectangular playing surface having longitudinally extending slots therein, spaced rollers supported below said playing surface and a continuous belt made of magnetic material rotatably supported on said rollers, a template supported between said playing surface on said belt, a slot in said template, a transfer piece, a playing piece having magnetic means thereon, said transfer piece having a part thereof disposed through said slot whereby said slot guides said transfer piece in movement relative to said template, the lower part of said transfer piece engaging said belt, the upper part of said transfer piece being disposed in close proximity to the bottom of said playing surface, a permanent magnet set in the bottom of said transfer piece, and a second permanent magnet set into the top of said transfer piece, said bottom magnet being disposed adjacent said belt whereby said bottom magnet exerts a magnetic force on said belt, said top magnet being adapted to exert a magnetic force on a playing piece having magnetic means thereon supported on said playing surface whereby said transfer pieces are moved along said slot in said template and said playing piece is moved over said playing surface when said belt is moved, and means connected to said rollers to rotate said rollers whereby sAid belt is moved when said rollers are rotated.

12. the game recited in claim 11 wherein longitudinal threaded rods are supported on said game, said threaded rods having nuts thereon and posts fixed to said nuts extending through said longitudinal slots and a cord fixed to said post and extending above the top surface of said playing surface a predetermined distance.

13. The game recited in claim 12 wherein offensive playing pieces and defensive playing pieces are provided, said offensive playing pieces being of lesser height than said defensive playing pieces, said cord being supported above said rectangular playing surface a distance lesser than the height of said defensive playing pieces but greater than the height of said offensive playing pieces whereby said offensive playing pieces may be moved by rotating said threaded rods thereby moving said cord into engagement with said offensive playing pieces.