WO2000037153A1

WO2000037153A1 - Ball game, especially soccer game

Info

Publication number: WO2000037153A1
Application number: PCT/NO1999/000402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Carl-Otto Hinlo; Knut Huseklepp
Original assignee: Hinlo Carl Otto; Knut Huseklepp
Priority date: 1998-12-22
Filing date: 1999-12-21
Publication date: 2000-06-29
Also published as: AU1899400A; NO986063D0; NO986063L

Abstract

A ballgame, especially a football game, comprising player figures (2, 6, 7), a ball (21), a goal (1), possibly other equipment for setting up a playing area and other equipment for use in connection with the game, where at least some of the figures are equipped with spring-loaded joints in order to simulate kicking the ball. For each person participating in the game, the game comprises a player figure in the form of a field player (7), with a spring-loaded leg (9), which is jointed in the area of the knee joint and can be pivoted back and forward in the vertical plane in a pendulum movement depending on the spring's force when the leg is pulled back. The toe portion of the shooting figure's (7) foot is designed in a rounded, especially hemispherical form, or with different angled areas and/or the foot is rotatable at the foot joint in both lateral directions. The coaction between the tension which is provided by pulling back the player figure's leg and the angle of the point of impact at the toe cause the ball to be kicked in a desired direction and with a specific force.

Description

Ball game, especially soccer game

The present invention relates to a ballgame, especially a football game, comprising player figures, ball, goal, possibly equipment for setting up a playing area and other equipment for use in connection with the game. The invention also relates to player figures of various kinds for use in the game.

A number of games are known, in which by a variety of means attempts are made to imitate sports arenas of different kinds where the players compete with one another by means of puppets or figures which are moved round on a playing plane. Particularly popular games of this type are football and ice hockey. The most common types consist of limited playing fields, on which are placed players which can either be moved by means of springs or be moved to some extent, e.g. in a lateral direction, while at the same time the players or figures can be rotated. In this manner a playing pattern can be developed where a football game, e.g., can be simulated, but during the entire game one is confined to a predetermined pattern of movement and to a defined playing surface. This type of game often requires a great deal of space and when used frequently the pattern of movement will become rather static.

There are also a number of different player puppets, which can be used to imitate an athlete's playing movements. Examples of these are golf players, as described, e.g., in US patent 544917 and EP 278933 or football puppets as described in the British patents GB-B-1560370, GB-A-1409380 and GB-A- 1278230. In these known devices puppets are involved which by various means can be caused to kick a football. In GB 1560370 a puppet is disclosed which moves a leg or an arm by means of a trigger mechanism. GB 1278230 discloses a football player with a spring which connects two parts of the leg, thus enabling one part to be swung backwards. The whole leg is activated for kicking a ball. GB 1409380 discloses a player with two movable legs and a base to hold the player. Here a spring joint is employed in the form of an elastic band in order to execute the movement.

These known puppets can indeed be used for kicking a ball, but the pattern of movement during the execution of the kick is highly unnatural and in actual fact the puppet can only kick the ball in one way. The puppets are also intended for use as toys and do not form an integrated part of a game. Even though the puppets are operated manually by a child operating the trigger mechanism or stretching the spring in order to move the leg for a kick, in this case the main focus of the game is puppets and they will not give the special feeling associated with "playing football".

The object of the present invention is to provide a game, which is not an automatic game and where the user of the game has to practise his skills and where by means of the game's element some of the special effect which is characteristic of a ballgame between teams can be achieved, i.e. the fact that one has an opponent and that at least some of the features associated with a ballgame are employed, viz. attack and defence, since the ability to vary the path and force of the ball is important here.

These objects are achieved by a game, especially a football game which is characterized by the features set forth in the patent claims.

The invention has the further object of providing a set of player figures and play elements which are suited for use in the game, and which provide the opportunity of simulating a game between two parties or two teams. The game may also be played as a training game by one person, who thereby develops skills he can employ when he later meets other users. The game can be played by up to 7 - 8 persons.

Thus the object of the invention is to provide player figures such as attacking players, goalkeeper figures and defending players and also provided with the game are special balls, goal designs and extra equipment for transport of figures and balls.

These objects are also achieved by features which are characterized in the patent claims.

With the invention a game is provided which is played by means of the execution of actions by one person or between two or more persons. The game can be built up in many different ways depending on the space available, e.g. on a sitting-room floor. Even though it is not possible to simulate the fluid movements of a football game which actually takes place on a pitch where the players pass balls to one another, with the game according to the present invention one of the most important features of the football game can be simulated, viz. the situation in front of a goal where shots are taken at goal and where the keeper has to try to save the ball. The design of the player figure opens the way for a great variety of situations, and defending figures can be placed strategically in front of a goal in order to obstruct shots. The player figure will be capable of screwing a ball in towards the goal, shooting low shots or high shots, depending on the skill developed by the user. The goalkeeper is played by the opposing person or opponent, who can control the goalkeeper figure in order to cover the goal area in the best possible manner. The defending puppets can also be placed in such a manner that they achieve the best possible protection of one's area. The balls which form part of the game are designed with weight and elasticity, which means that they can be propelled by a kick from the player figure's leg, with the result that they are guided towards the goal at great speed and by pulling tightly on the spring in the player figure's leg, balls will also be able to be played from a great distance of up to several metres. The game according to the invention therefore offers the opportunity by means of direct manipulation of the figure to simulate the exciting elements of the game.

A further advantageous feature of the game and the figures according to the present invention is the possibility of changing the strips on the figures in order to have one's favourite team. Moreover, the figures are designed in such a manner that they can be controlled by an attachment means on the back, thus enabling the figures, e.g., to be hooked to the player's belt so that he has his figures in readiness and carries them on him. The balls may be provided with different distinguishing marks and balls can be played for which, e.g., have different colours with different values, thereby creating a wide range of possible variations of the game.

Furthermore, the figures can be equipped with a display on the back for recording the number of shots or number of balls which go in the net, are saved or the like. By this means statistics can be kept during the development of the match, which can be used, e.g., in league games or table calculations, etc. With the game there may also be provided a ball bag which can have special distinguishing marks and which, e.g., may also be hung from the belt. The game may also include a floor mat which can be rolled up and which can form a limited area of the playing field. The goal is preferably collapsible, thus enabling it to be easily transported. The invention will now be illustrated in more detail by means of embodiments, as illustrated in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a purely schematic illustration of the arrangement of figures in the game.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a player figure which represents an attacking player (forward).

Fig. 3 is a view illustrating how the forward figure is held.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating how the leg is activated.

Fig. 5 illustrates the preparation for a shot.

Fig. 6 illustrates a forward figure with attached foot support/base for use amongst other things as a defending player (back).

Fig. 7 is an example of a defending player with only this function.

Fig. 8 is an example of the design of a goalkeeper figure.

Fig. 9 is a further example of a goalkeeper figure.

Fig. 10 is a section of the back portion of a forward player.

Fig. 1 1 is the back portion in figure 10, viewed from the side.

Fig. 12 is the back portion of a goalkeeper figure with control of the arm movements.

Fig. 13 is the back portion in figure 12, viewed from the side. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a goal enclosure, with bottom plate.

Fig. 15 is an illustration of the principle of operation of the goalkeeper figure.

Fig. 16 is a ball for use in the game.

Fig. 17 is a ball bag for use in the game.

Figs. 18 and 19 are an embodiment of the forward's kicking foot. Fig. 20 is an embodiment of an adjusting mechanism in the ankle of the kicking foot.

Fig. 1 illustrates how a playing field may look. There is set up a goal enclosure, which is designated by the reference numeral 1 , in front of which stands a goalkeeper 2, with his arms 5 held out to the side and who can be held by a person participating in the game holding the player figure by means of his hand 4 in a handle 3 (see figure 15). In front of the goal are placed three backs who are standing on bases and are fixed figures with no movable parts. They can be moved to different positions in front of the goal. These figures are designated by 6. Further out is the forward 7, who by means of his spring-loaded leg will try to shoot for goal and get the ball past the keeper 2. This forward 7 can be moved to alternative positions, for example to the position for a corner, penalty, short or long shot. In the figure player 7 is in the long shot position. Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the player figure which represents the main figure in the game, viz. the forward 7. The player may be equipped with a strip which is replaceable, thus enabling the user to dress his players in his favourite team's strips. The figures may also be given faces corresponding to known football players. The player figure 7 is controlled by means of its legs. The figure's left leg 8 is spread slightly from the right leg 9, thus enabling the leg 8 to be gripped by a hand, as illustrated in figure 3. The right leg 8 can also be bent at an angle backwards, thus placing the leg in a position which is higher than the right leg 9, in order thereby to make it easier to handle the leg, while the person holding the player figure supports his hand against the playing surface, as illustrated in figure 3. He can thereby hold the figure in a position in which the foot of the left leg is aligned with the plane of the playing surface, or slightly higher. By this means he will have a secure grip on the figure and be able to guide it into different angles, virtually in every plane. The right leg is the shooting leg. The leg 9 is jointed in the knee at reference numeral 1 1 , thus enabling the lower leg 10 to be pulled backwards against the force of a spring inside the leg. The joint is only indicated by a line, since it can be covered by an elastic cover in order to give the player figure as natural an appearance as possible. The design of an example of the spring as a laminated spring 17 is illustrated in the following figures 18 and 19. The area of the knee is made of an elastic material, while the rest of the leg is rigid.

The shooting leg's 9 foot 12 may be designed to be rotatable in the lateral direction via a joint 14, see figure 20. The joint is spring-loaded by a compression spring 15 and comprises two gear rims 16 which lock the joint with rotation. The foot's toe part 13 has a special design, either round or hemispherical, as illustrated in figures 19 and 20, or the different portions round the toe portion may be given different angles. This makes it possible to kick the ball or hit the ball at different angles, thus permitting the ball to be given, for example, a screw movement, thereby simulating different types of shot. Thus the manner of kicking the ball can be varied both by varying the force by pulling the lower leg 10 backwards to a greater or lesser extent, and by aiming the toe at the ball at one angular location or another, or by a slight alteration of the angle of the foot in order to achieve a similar effect. By lifting the figure slightly up or down low shots or high shots can also be performed. Thus the manner in which the ball is kicked can be varied individually in many different ways.

The actual ball in figure 5 is illustrated just in front of the player figure. The ball is illustrated here as an ordinary football, but within the scope of the game a number of different footballs are employed, which can be varied either in pattern and/or colour, thus enabling the players to choose ball types or give the balls different values according to their appearance, thus creating variations in the game. The balls may also have different weights or bounce, this being within the scope of the invention. The balls may also be given names and other distinguishing marks.

In figs. 4 and 5 it can be seen how the user can pull the lower leg back with a finger to stretch the internal spring in order to exert the kicking force. The force will naturally depend on the extent to which the lower leg is pulled backwards. A laminated spring, e.g., (illustrated in figures 18 and 19) or a rubber band or another suitable spring mechanism may be used as a spring element. There are many possible alternatives for this purpose.

Fig. 6 illustrates a forward figure which is equipped with a base part for use as a defending player 6. Here it can be seen that the forward figure's legs are spread slightly apart, as described above, and this is the embodiment where the holding leg is aimed slightly backwards. The base is equipped with means which are not illustrated in detail for enabling it to be attached to the holding leg 8. The defending figure 6 should be an arranged figure and is only intended to obstruct shots since it is placed in the way of the ball's path. Figure 6 therefore illustrates how a forward can be changed into a back, while figure 7 shows a purely defending figure without movable parts, which has both legs placed on a base. When the backs are hit by the ball they can fall without any trouble.

The goalkeeper figure is preferably given an appearance corresponding to that of a keeper in front of goal, usually with his arms half outstretched, as illustrated in figures 8 and 9. There are two alternatives here, either the goalkeeper will be able to move arms and/or legs by means of spring mechanisms controlled from a handle on the back with a control button for the arm movements, or the figure's legs are fixed and placed on a base, possibly with the capability of movement of the arms, so that it is the actual figure which is moved forward and backward in the goal. In order to execute this playing movement of the goalkeeper, the figure, as illustrated in connection with fig. 1 and in figures 12 and 13, is equipped with a handle 3 on the back portion which can be gripped by a hand 4 and moved forward and backward. The arm movement can be performed by pressing a button on the top of the handle, as illustrated in figure 13. We also refer to figure 15 which illustrates how the goalkeeper is held through the rear sheet of the goal.

The actual goal 1 may be a framed structure, which can be folded up in a known per se manner to form a flat pack during transport. To the frame 16 is attached a net 17, in the rear area of which there may be a slit, thus enabling the person who is operating the goalkeeper 2 to pass his arm through the enclosure and control the goalkeeper. The goal also has a bottom plate 18, which has a special appearance with rounded openings in the four corners.

For training purposes, e.g. when one has no opponent, the goal can be turned round so that the bottom plate forms the front of the goal with open areas in the corners. Openings may also be provided at other points in the bottom plate through which the user attempts to pass the ball. Such training surfaces of course need not be a bottom plate in the goal structure and may be designed in many different ways. As illustrated in figures 10 and 1 1 the figures, including the forwards, may have a handle or an attachment device 19 on their backs, thus enabling them to be attached, e.g. to the user's or owner's belt, permitting him to carry his player figures on him when he goes to play a match or also on other occasions. He can thereby build up a "reputation" for his team and everyone can clearly see for whom he plays. Furthermore, on the backs of the figures can be incorporated one or more displays 20 and in the figures there may be arranged counting equipment, thus enabling shots fired, balls caught by the keeper etc. to be recorded and statistic values and tables to be set up. The display 20 may also provide information on which player the figure is intended to be.

In figs. 16 and 17 there is illustrated a ball 21 and a ball bag 22. The balls may be equipped with different emblems or different colours to give them different values for variation in the game. The ball bags 22 may have several compartments to distinguish between different ball types or to distinguish between other people's balls and one's own and the bag may have a fastening 19 to attach it to the belt.

Examples of rules for playing the game may be as follows:

1. Balls are played for shot by shot.

2. A penalty play-off can be played with 5 shots for each team, with "Sudden Death".

3. Different values can be agreed on for different degrees of difficulty of shot.

More than 2 players: Use may also be made of the backs and they can be moved in such a way that several of them oppose the shooter. In this case it will be the goalkeeper who decides where the backs should stand or to where they should be moved.

Balls which miss go into a kitty, and the first to score a goal wins all the balls. It will be seen that a number of different rules can be developed, which can be varied locally and several variants of football rules can be supplied with the game. A characteristic feature of the game according to the invention is that player figures and balls are the possession of the individual and that through training and matches the user "gets to know/becomes associated with" this figure and the balls. The individuals bring along their figures and balls when there is to be a match against others who also bring along their figures, thus together creating a suitable game according to agreed rules.

In the above the ballgame is described in the form of a football game, but it can also be applied to other types of ballgame in which players win balls from one another. A typical example is American football where the special "kicker situation" can be simulated. Other team games can also serve as a model for the game according to the invention, including games with clubs or the like. Many variations will be possible within the scope of the invention, both with regard to the design of the individual figures and the manner in which they are operated. The essential feature will be that the figures are operated manually and the intention of the game is that the players should develop skills in handling their figures. The elements of the game should be easy to carry, as the figures can be hung from the belt and the goal is folded up into a flat pack and placed, e.g., in a bag. Another alternative is that the game can be programmed to form a computer game, which is played according to the same basic rules as those mentioned above.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A ballgame, especially a football game, comprising player figures, ball, goal, possibly other equipment for setting up a playing area and other equipment for use in connection with the game, where at least some of the figures are equipped with spring-loaded joints in order to simulate kicking the ball, characterized in that the game comprises for each person participating in the game a player figure in the form of a field player with a spring-loaded leg, which is jointed in the area of the knee joint and can be pivoted back and forward in the vertical plane in a pendulum movement depending on the force of the spring when the leg is pulled back, and that the toe portion of the shooting figure's foot is designed in a rounded, especially hemispherical form, or with different angled areas, and/or that the foot is rotatable in the foot joint in both lateral directions, the coaction between the tension which is provided by pulling back the player figure's leg and the angle of the point of impact at the toe causes the ball to be kicked in a desired direction and with a specific force, that the game further comprises a goalkeeper figure which is held from the back of the figure's body and where the figure preferably has pivotable arms, preferably spring-loadedly pivotable, that the goal is in the form of a collapsible enclosure, where a net is stretched on a frame and the rear portion has an opening for insertion of the hand holding the figure, that there are further provided figures which are immobile and equipped with a base plate for setting up on a playing surface, that all the figures come with strips corresponding to different teams, that the balls are designed as small-scale footballs, in the form of a set of balls which may have different colours or patterns, and that the game may come with extra equipment, such as a bag for balls and equipment which can be found on a football pitch.

2. A player figure in the form of a figure with an activatable leg. characterized in that one of the figure's legs, preferably the right leg, is designed with a spring-loaded joint in the knee area, that the lower part of the leg and the foot can be pivoted forward and backward in a pendulum movement and can be extended by means of a spring in the form of a laminated spring or a stretchable rubber band or another, preferably rubber or plastic-coated spring which is pressed backwards by hand, the length of stroke determining the kicking force of the figure and that the figure's foot on the pivotable leg has a toe portion which is designed in a rounded, especially hemispherical shape or with different angled areas and/or is rotatable in the lateral direction to enable it to give the ball a screw or kick it in another oblique direction.

3. A player figure according to claim 2, characterized in that the other leg faces backwards and the lower leg and foot part are pulled up, thus providing a grip for the hand of a player.

4. A player figure according to claim 2, characterized in that it has a holder on the back, which holder is designed with a gripping body for placing the figure, e.g., in the player's belt.

5. A player figure according to claim 2, characterized in that in the back area the figure has a display for indicating information such as the number of executed kicks which are recorded by a counter or data chip incorporated in the figure, or other information of interest to the user.

6. A goalkeeper figure for movement by means of a playing person's hand, characterized in that the figure has a handle or gripping area in the back portion for holding in the hand of the goalkeeper player and that there may be provided, preferably in the handle, knobs for triggering a pivotal movement of the puppet's arms in and out from the body.

7. A defending player, characterized in that it is designed as a figure without extendible joints, but possibly adjustable legs and that the figure has a base plate which may be mounted for setting up the figure in a defensive position in front of the goal.

8. A ball for use in the ballgame, characterized in that it has a size, weight and bounce adapted to the player figures' size and tension and that the ball may be designed with predefined distinguishing symbols in the form of markings, colours or the like.

9. A goal enclosure, characterized in that it consists of a frame in the form of a football goal, that the frame is covered by a net with an opening, e.g. in the form of a slit in the back wall and that the goal's frame part is preferably collapsible.

10. A plate for use together with the goal enclosure according to claim 9, and arrangement in front of the goal, characterized in that the plate is equipped with opening areas in suitable locations on the plate as a target for shots against the plate and that the plate may be designed as a bottom plate in the goal enclosure.

1 1. A bag for balls according to claim 7, characterized in that the bag is designed with several compartments for sorting balls.