WO1999008761A1

WO1999008761A1 - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1999008761A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/002422
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norman Fraser Mackenzie
Original assignee: Norman Fraser Mackenzie
Priority date: 1997-08-13
Filing date: 1998-08-12
Publication date: 1999-02-25
Also published as: EP0936940A1; AU8739898A

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game comprises a flicker component having two resilient portions, whereby a first portion can be gripped by finger and thumb and a second portion can be tensed to flick a playing piece towards a target. The target comprises a box structure having an opening, and is folded out from a flat sheet.

Description

GAME APPARATUS

The present invention relates to apparatus for playing a game . Companies are constantly seeking to produce game versions of popular sports. Furthermore, companies are constantly looking for new ways of promoting their products . There is a constant demand for inexpensive 'novelty' items which companies can give away a promotional gift either with or without a product of theirs.

Accordingly, the invention provides apparatus for playing a game comprises a flicker component having two resilient portions, whereby a first portion can oe gripped by finger and thumb and a second portion can be tensed to flick a playing piece towards a target. The target comprises a box structure having an opening, and is folded out from a flat sheet.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, comprising a flicker component having a first strut with a gripping pro ection that is arranged to be gripped by a finger and thumb of a player, and a second strut extending substantially parallel to the first strut, the second strut being joined at one end to the first strut and extending from that end to an opposite end to dispose a gripping projection beyond the opposite end of the first strut.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, comprising a flicker component having a base and a dias angled upwards with respect to the base and resiliently attached thereto, whereby a player may project a projectile placed on the dias by depressing the dias towards the base and subsequently releasing the dias.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, comprising a device made to resemble a goal, target or basis for scoring, the device being provided in substantially planar form and arranged to be deployed about hinge means thereof to form a box structure with portions of the device being arranged to interengage to provide rigidity to the box structure.

Apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be provided as a combination of said aspects thereof.

Thus, there is provided apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising: a device made in paper, card or plastic, or any other inexpensive material, which may be made and decorated to resemble the goal, target or basis for scoring as part of the game. Accordingly, the ball may also form part of this device. In the examples provided, the target has been made to resemble one end of a football pitch, with a goalmouth. In the centre of the goalmouth is located a central strut upon which may be depicted the image of a goalkeeper. The gamecard consists then of two flat planes, which in the examples provided are circular, but which may be any shape, set at right angles to each other.

Set in the right-angle is a box structure, whose front surface is vertical and parallel to the back vertical backboard, with two apertures formed by pushing on the front surfaces of the box, two 'wings' or 'doors' which hinge upon the central strut. This is the opening which may be decorated to resemble a goalmouth.

The game card may consist, of a flat frontboard with an aperture on either side of the central strut. These apertures will be of a size which can accommodate the three- sided ball provided on the game card. The front of the game card has as its base a flat section which folds back from the front of the game card, and continues in a narrow strut which folds back and upwards, to slot into a slit on the back of the main card, by means of a tab which engages the slit provided in the middle if the front game card. Attached to the back strut, may oe two balls made to resemble whatever sport the game is made to mimic... m this case, footballs.

The apparatus may further comprise a three-sided playing piece consisting three discs joined m series and foldable about their respective joint lines to form a three -dimensional playing piece, and fittable m the aperture (s) m the front of the box structure central to the target part of the gamecard. This may be attached to the flat member which projects outwards from the base of front of the box or goal area.

The game card is designed to oe dispensed flat. To deploy the game, the user simply lifts one edge, and draws the two surfaces into a right angle about a hinge on the opposite side of the two surfaces. It is this action which forms the box between the angles. The structure is stabilised and made rigid, by opening the two door/wmgs m the front surface of the box, which may be hinged either about the central strut, or at the opposite edges. In both cases, the sections engage with pre-cut slots m the backboard, and lock the gamecard m an upright position.

The apparatus may comprise a plastic 'flicker' , and there are two variants described here. In the first, the flicker comprises a vertical strut with a circular projection for gripping with finger and thumb, and running parallel to it and joined to it at the top, another vertical strut, which descends to a level slightly less than the vertical strut with the gripper. On the end, at the base of that vertical strut, is a small projection or 'spur' , which can be drawn back when the other strut is firmly held by the gripper, to be released for the purpose of propelling a projectile or ball m any direction the player wishes. The flicker may be decorated with a human figure m the dress appropriate to whatever sport the game might be applied.. eg, Football, Cricket, Golf, Rugby, American Football.. or any sport m which the participants strike, kick or propel a ball or other projectile by any means.

There is additionally provided another type of flicker, consisting of a base 'ring' with a central dias, angled upwards, which to operate the user holds the base hard onto a playing surface, perhaps by means of projecting 'lugs' on either side of the base ring, and by depressing the dias at one end, the raised end by means of a projection or 'spur' on the dias, and releasing it with the ball or projectile on top of the dias. This flicker would tend to propel the ball m an arc, as opposed to the first flicker, which would tend to propel the ball horizontally.

As m the case of the first flicker, the item may oe decorated with a graphic appropriate to whatever sport the game was applied.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the die-cut game card prior to assembly by manufacturer.

Figure 2 is a back view of same.

Figure 3 is a front view at the first stage of assembly.

Figure 4 is a further stage. Figure 5 and 6 are the final stages of assembly.

Figures 7 to 10 show the same process as Figures 1 to 6, m perspective.

Figure 11 is a front view of a variant of the design, made for a smaller scale item, which incorporates side opening 'doors' on the front of box-structure, as opposed to centrally hinged 'wings' on the first model. It also incorporates an extra panel, and a vertical feature on the base-board. The ball is also attached at the end, instead of at the sides. Figure 12 is a back view of the same. Figures 13 to 16 show how this version of the gamecard folds during manufacture.

Figures 17 to 19 are schematic drawings showing how the user would deploy the first design of the game, with the front apertures being opened by means of 'wings' hinged about the central strut.

Figures 20 to 22 are again schematic drawings showing how the user would deploy the second variant, by opening the aperture by means of 'doors' hinged on the outside edge of the box structure.

Figure 23 shows how both variants of the game are played.

Figures 24 and 25 are front and back views of the first plastic playing piece or 'flicker' . Figure 26 is the three-sided playing piece prior to assembly by the user.

Figure 27 is the three-sided playing piece after assembly.

Figure 28 shows how the plastic flicker is used. Figure 29 is a plan view of a second plastic flicker. Figure 30 is an elevation of the same.

Figures 31 to 33 are perspective drawings of the second flicker, showing how its used.

Figure 34 is the front view of the game card prior to assembly.

Figures 35 to 39 are schematic drawings showing how the user would deploy the game, make up the game card, and use the flicker to propel the three-sided playing piece.

Figures 40 to 44 show how the game may be incorporated into a variety of formats and commercially produced packages .

The apparatus 1 for playing a game consists mainly of a single thin sheet or card, paper, plastic or some other inexpensive suitable material. The apparatus 1 has a circular backboard 4/3. About halfway down the backboard 4, a flat member 5 projects outwards from fold line C-C, and meets member 7 at fold line D-D. From fold line D-D, a vertical member 7, descends to the baseboard 2 at fold line G-G. From fold line G-G another flat member runs out horizontally, parallel to base board 2, and attaches to it. When the game card 1 is deployed by the user, the backboard 4/3 and the baseboard 2, create a box structure 5 and 7, when opened at right angles.

On the vertical member 7 are incorporated two 'wings' 8 and 9 which open inwards along hinges at fold lines E-E and F-F located vertically on central strut 10. These are pushed inwards until the locking 'lugs' 15 and 16 meet with apertures 13 and 14 located centrally on the lower back board 3. When the lugs 15, 16 are locked in apertures 13, 14 the structure is rigid and ready for play to commence.

Attached to member 1 may be the three-sided playing piece 12. Figure 26 shows the playing piece 12 prior to assembly. Figure 27 shows the playing piece 12 after assembly. The playing piece 12 consists of three discs 27, joined in series at fold lines K-K and L-L. At one end of the strip there is provided a tab 28 with locking barbs, and at the other end an extension 29 which incorporates a slit 30 with which tab 23 engages to create a three-sided playing piece 12, which may be decorated in a way appropriate to the game being mimicked. To deploy the apparatus, the user opens the game card 1, by pulling the base board 2 away from the back board 4. The three-sided playing piece 12, may be removed and assembled at this stage, by tearing it from member 11, located at the foot of the front of the box 7,5. To create the target aperture, the user pushes the two 'wings' 8,9 inwards, about the hinges on fold lines E-E and F-F. On the end of the 'wings' 8,9, are locking 'lugs' 15,16, which, when pushed back into the front member 7, meet and engage with the apertures 13, 14 on the lower half of the back board 3. When the apparatus 1 is in the fully deployed position shown in Figures 19, 22 and 23, the backboard 4,3 is substantially perpendicular to the baseboard 2. Furthermore, the structure is made completely rigid by the locking of the two wings/doors 8 and 9 in the apertures 13 and 14 cut into the backboard 3, by means of locking 'lugs' 15 and 16 located on the ends of the wings/doors 8 and 9, opposite to the hinges along fold-lines E-E and F-F.

The game is played by attempting to flick the playing piece 12 into the aperture (s) in the member 7, by means of either of the flickers 20 or 31. Figure 23 shows the game being played with the flicker 20 and Figure 28 shows a close up of how the flicker 20 is used. The game may also be played using the alternative design of flicker 31, shown in Figures 29 to 33. Figure 33 shows how this flicker 31 is used. Alternatively, the playing piece 12 may be flicked using the finger and thumb. Again, however, it may be decided that a true spherical ball might be included as part of the game apparatus 1, made in plastic or any other suitable material, or that plastic discs might be used, in the manner of "tiddlywinks", in which one disc is pressed down onto another disc which is flat on a surface in order to project that second counter towards the target aperture (s) on member 7. The top flat horizontal member 5 of the box structure 5, 7, may have an elliptical aperture 6 cut into it, to enable the user to fold the apparatus 1, flat again after play, by inserting a finger to release the lugs 15 and 16 from the apertures 13 and 14 in the backboard 3. When the doors/wings 8 and 9 are in the fully closed positions, and flush with the frontal member 7, it is possible to lift the baseboard 2 upwards against the backboard 3, 4, collapsing the box 5, 7 and returning the apparatus 1 to a flat disc again as shown in Figures 9 and 10. A game apparatus of this kind, it will be appreciated, may be made m a variety of formats and sizes. As the size diminishes, certain alterations m the design are necessary, and a possible design for a smaller format is shown m Figures 11 to 16. This design of the apparatus 17, differs from the design of the apparatus 1, m the following respects. An extra panel 18 has been added, so that the surface of the original game cover and baseboard 2, will not be cut into by the provision of the vertical member 19, introduced as a playing hazard, m front of the target member 7. This is done because the central strut 10 from the first apparatus 1, has been obviated, and the wings 8 and 9, which hinged along the fold lines E-E and F-F on the central strut 10, have been replaced by doors 8 and 9, snown m Figures 11 to 16, which hinge from fold lines E-E and F-F at the outside edge of frontal member 7. The locking ears 15 and 16 from apertures 1, have been removed, as have the apertures 13 and 14 from the backboard 3. The apertures 13 and 14 have been replaced by indents 13 and 14, shown m Figures 11 and 12, cut into the outside edges of the backboard 3,4. The doors m frontal member 7, m apparatus 17, then, swing inwards and outwards on hinges/ fold lines E- E and F-F, to lock by their outside edges, against the indents 13 and 14, making the apparatus 17, rigid and stable. The elliptical aperture 6, on the top member 5 from apparatus 1, has also been obviated, as the outward opening doors 8 and 9, may be disengaged from the outside.

The playing piece 12, has been repositioned, m so far as it has been taken from its position parallel to front member 11, on apparatus 1, and attached to the same member 11, by the extension 29 on its end, and requires now to be folded as m Figures 13 to 16, m order to be contained within the apparatus 17.

Two designs of plastic flicker, 20 and 31, have been provided here, for possible use with the game apparatus 1, 17 or any format or application m which the game is configured.

The first design of flicker 20 is shown m both front and back views m Figures 24 and 25. It consists of a vertical member 26, with a circulate extension 21, projecting outwards, to form a gripper which may be held by finger and thumb. Attached to the top, as m the manner of an upturned letter 'U' , and running vertically and parallel to it, is another member 24, which descends to a level slightly higher than the member 26. The two members are separated by a narrow channel 25, which continues about two thirds of the height upwards between the two members 26 and 24. The member 26 which is slightly longer than the member 24, terminates m a flat end 22. The opposite memoer 24 has projecting from it's outside edges, a small spur 23. The flicker 20, is used by the user holding the gripper 21 with the finger and thumb, and locating the flat member 24 directly behind a flat surface of assembled playing piece 12, or any other projectile which might accompany the game. With the finger of the other hand, the user draws back the spur 23 behind the playing piece 12, and releases it, propelling the playing piece 12 m any direction the user wishes. The object of the game is to get the playing piece 12 into the box structure 5, 7 on the apparatus 1, 17, through the apertures made by folding wmgs/doors 8 and 9 inwards .

The second flicker 31, shown m Figures 29 to 33, may be of a circular or elliptical shape, and again made in springy plastic as a flat plastic strip. The flicker 31 consist of an outer ring 33, which at it's front end has two lugs 32, which the user may press down upon to anchor the flicker 31 to the playing surface. In the centre of the flicker 31, is a dias 36, attached at one end of the ring 33, and which has been raised up at an angle terminating m a spur 34 at it's opposite end. There is also provided at the point where the dias 36 joins the ring 33, a lip 35 for the purpose of holding the playing piece m situ.

The flicker 31 is used as shown m Figures 32 and 33.

The user mounts the playing piece 12 on the dias 36, as shown m Figures 32 and 33. With the finger of one hand, the flicker 31 is held hard against the playing surface by pressing down on either of the lugs 32. With the finger of the other hand, the dias 36 is depressed by pressing down on spur 34, and releasing it with the playing piece 12 on it. Unlike the flicker 20, the flicker 31 will tend to propel the ball or playing piece 12, m an arc, useful when trying to negotiate the playing hazard 19 on the baseboard 2 of apparatus 17. This flicker 31, may Joe used both m this current game, and m any other game with a frontal or top- mounted/horizontal target or goal or aperture.

In this the Football version of the game, the examples provided show a possible game card 104 and how it may look, be assembled and how it may be used by the player.

Figure 34 shows the game card prior to assembly, with the front surface 105 at the top. The front surface 105, descends to a fold A-A, along which the card is folded to form a base 108. This m turn incorporates a strip 109 on its trailing edge, which may also function to carry the playing piece (s) 119. The strut 109, is a support strut which incorporates a tab 114, which when folded upwards along B-B meets and engages with the slit 115 located centrally above the central strut 107, on the front of game card 104.

Provided with the apparatus, may be the playing piece 12, shown m Figures 26, 27.

Figures 35, 36 and 37 show how the game is deployed by the player.

To assemble the game card 104, the playing pieces 27 are removed from the support strut 109, and made up as shown m Figures 26 and 27. The goal mouth apertures are pressed out along perforations, and the game card 104 is folded along fold lines A-A and B-B. This support strut 109 is brought up towards the back of the mam card 105, and has a tab 114 which engages with the slit 115 on the back of the ma frontage 105. The game card is now stable, and will rest on the base 108 ready to play.

Figure 38 shows how the flicker 20 is used. Witn one hand, the player grips the support strut 26 of the plastic playing piece 20 with finger and thumb, holding the strut 26 hard against the playing surface 22. With the finger of the other hand the spur 23 is used to pull the other strut 24, backwards, and release it close against a flat surface of the playing piece 27. Figure 39 shows a player's nanos using the flicker 20 to propel the playing piece 27 towards the goalmouth apertures 106 on the assembled game carα 104.

Figure 40 shows an alternative game card assembly, where the central strut 107 is incorporated into the front of the game card, and is used to support the playing surface which incorporates the goalmouth apertures 106. Figure 41 shows the game incorporated into a cereal pack.

Figure 42 shows the game incorporated into both bottle and drinks can packs.

Figure 43 shows the game incorporated into a Fast Food meal carton.

Figure 44 shows the game being played on a Fast Food meal carton.

Scoring is based on the number of times the player succeeds propelling the playing pieces 19 through the goalmouth apertures 6.

As will be appreciated, the game may be applied to a wide spectrum of containers, either current use or adapted to the purpose, within the packaging industry.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a flicker component having a first strut with a gripping projection that s arranged to be gripped by a finger and thumb of a player, and a second strut extending substantially parallel to the first strut, the second strut being joined at one end to the first strut and extending from that end to an opposite end to dispose a gripping projection beyond the opposite end of the first strut.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the gripping projections is substantially circular.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, where the flicker component is decorated with a human figure m the dress appropriate to a sport with which the game is associated.

4. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a flicker component having a base and a dias angled upwards with respect to the base and resiliently attached thereto, whereby a player may project a projectile placed on the ╬▒ias by depressing the dias towards the base and subsequently releasing the dias.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherem the base is the form of a ring enclosing the dias.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flicker component is made of plastics material.

7. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising a device made to resemble a goal, target or basis for scoring, the device being provided m substantially planar form and arranged to be deployed about hinge means thereof to form a box structure with portions of the device being arranged to mterengage to provide rigidity to the box structure.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherem the box structure comprises a central strut m its opening, and two portions that are hinged about the central strut or at opposite edges of the opening, thereby to stabilise the box structure.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, comprising a playing piece comprising a plurality of discs joined m series and foldable about respective joint lines to form a three-dimensional playing piece that is fittable m the opening of the box structure.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the box structure is decorated to resemble a goalmouth.

11. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 8 comprising game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherem the flicker component, the box structure and the playing piece are formed form a single gamecard.