US3386738A - Simulated football game apparatus with blocking play control means - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1968 N. WYLlE 3,386,738

SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS WITH BLOCKING PLAY CONTROL MEANS Filed March 10, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIQZ .Tlvvzuroe NEWTON WYLIE W /WW Arromvsv June 4. 1968 N. WYLIE 3,386,738

SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS WITH BLOCKING PLAY CONTROL MEANS Filed March 10, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet z mm WITH? 0 '0 o o o o .1 I llllllllll g FICLIS F|c.|5 FIG. FICJB F|c.|9 Hell] I I I C].

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SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS WITH BLOCKING PLAY CONTROL MEANS Filed March 10, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I/vvE/vroe NEWTON WYLIE WWKWM 41m INEV June 4, 1968 N. WYLIE 3,386,738

SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS WITH BLOCKING PLAY CONTROL MEANS Filed March 10, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F1024 F|c.25

flvvenrbn NEW TON WYLIE A-rronuev 3,386,738 SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS WITH BLOCKEJG PLAY CONTROL MEANS Newton Wylie, 506 Kirkrnore Drive, New Haven, Ind. 46774 Filed Mar. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 438,695 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-131) ABSC'I OF THE DISCLOSURE Football game which closely resembles the execution and strategy of an actual game of football, including a game board which is laid out in the form of a football field, playing pieces, identification cap members and a move counter which keeps track of the playing sequence and order of play. The counter determines the point at which blocked players can resume play, and the sequence in which certain plays must be completed.

The counter is provided with two rows of pegs which are visually distinguished from each other, a recess having bicolored areas being disposed between the two rows of pegs with each area in alignment with one peg in each row. A slide is movable in the recess to cover or uncover said areas. A number of colored cap members are provided to be placed on the game pieces or on the pegs.

This invention relates to a football game, and more particularly to a football game which closely resembles the execution and strategy of an actual game of football. There are many games of football which are based upon chance in the outcome of the game. Such games involve selection of cards, throwing dice, or other random operations which to a large extent dictate the outcome of the game, or at least interfere with the operation of skill and understanding of the game of football. Such games, while interesting and serving as diversion, do not measure the football playing ability of the players.

Also, these prior chance games, in addition to introducing the element of chance, fail to take into account the variety and unexpectedness that can occur in the order and kind of signal calling on the part of a skillful quarterback, particularly one who knows how to deploy his men and how to respond to many different playing situations which occur during a football game.

It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a football game in which the players have a maximum opportunity to exercise their knowledge and experience of football under actual playing conditions so that the game is generally won by the player exhibiting superior judgment and superior skill and knowledge of the game in the various playing situations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a football game which provides the players with a variety of different playing experiences, including field goals, blocking, passing, running and, in short, embodying virtually all of the known football plays and thereby calling upon the players to exhibit a maximum of their football knowledge and playing experience and pitting it against the corresponding knowledge of the opp nent in order to win the game.

It is another object of the present invention to provided a plurality of game pieces which are organized into two opposing teams, including linemen, ends and backs which are free to carry out their football playing assignments, including blocking, tackling, running and passing in order to carry on the game under closely simulated conditions of actual football play. In keeping with this object, there are retained the actual conditions of football scoring, downs and yardage, and the board for the game simulates an actual football field including the side lines, gridiron,

nited States atent C) goal lines and goal posts the same as on a regular playing field.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a football game which is usable not only for those who are already expert in the game and wish to test their knowledge and experience, but also as a means for teaching youngsters how to play the game and how to become familiar with the rules of football and how it is played, so that they can adapt such experience to later years of playing on the football field.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 illustrates the game board which is laid out in the form of a football field and shows the lineup of the opposing teams when they are ready for kick-off;

FIGURE 2 illustrates a goal;

FIGURE 3 is the yard-marker which shows the progress of the ball during a series of plays of one team or the other;

FIGURE 4 is a marker for the downs and is used in combination with the yardage indicator of FIGURE 3 which in regular play consists of a chain of ten yards length;

FIGURES 5 through 9 illustrate the playing pieces, FIGURE 5 illustrating the linemen, FIGURE 6 the ends, FIGURE 7 the backs, FIGURE 8 the quarterback and FIGURE 9 the kicker;

FIGURE 10 is a circular piece illustrating the football;

FIGURE 11 is the scoreboard showing the down, score and time outs the same as a regular scoreboard used in a football stadium;

FIGURE 12 is an end view of the scoreboard shown in FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 13 is a move counter which keeps track of the playing sequence and order of play, and also determines the point at which blocked playing pieces can resume play, and the sequence in which certain plays must be completed, as for example, field goals and passing P y FIGURE 14 is a front elevation view of the move counter illustrated in FIGURE 13;

FIGURES 15 through illustrate caps which are provided in six sets of three, each set being a different color. Two caps of a set are placed on the heads of the pair of opposed playing pieces which are involved in a blocking move, with the third cap placed on a peg on the move counter to indicate the move at which the blocked playing pieces will resume play, the six sets of three being mounted upon corresponding six sets of three pegs, in FIGURES 13 and 14, each set being of a different color to provide for six blocking situations at a time during a given pl-ay;

FIGURE 21 illustrates in enlarged view one of the sequences during a given play in which a block occurs between opposing pieces at the -yard line at the left hand side of the field;

FIGURES 22 illustrates the direction and amount of movement for a lineman;

FIGURE 23 illustrates the direction and amount of movement for the quarterback;

FIGURE 24 illustrates the direction and amount of movement for the ends; and

FIGURE 25 illustrates the direction and degree of movement for the backs, the quarterback and the kicker.

Game start Referring now to the drawings, the playing pieces are organized into opposing teams and lined up on the playing field 10 (FIGURE 1), the formation of the playing pieces being in accordance with the preference of the players, the oifensive formation illustrated consisting of the linemen 12 (FIGURE 5), there being five such linemen on the offensive team which is protecting goal line 14, two offensive ends 16 (FIGURE 6), three backs 18 (FIGURE 7) and one kicker (FIGURE 9). The ball 22 (FIGURE 10) is rested at the forty-five yard line of the offensive team. The play is initiated by lining the kicking team up on their own forty-five yard line, with the receiving team having its linemen on their forty-five yard line with the ends and backfield of the receiving team placed between the forty-five and ten yard lines.

To start the game, the offensive or kicking team can place the ball on any square between the kicking teams forty-five yard line and the opposing teams ten yard line. Typically, the receiving team lines its men up in a fivetwo-two-two pattern as shown in FIGURE 1 to receive the ball. After the ball is placed and thus put into play by the kicking team, the receiving team may recover but not move the ball for the next six moves, and these are recorded by means of a counter 3t (FIGURES l3 and 14) which has a series of pegs 31 numbered 1 through 16, at the time of kickoff peg number 6 being covered with a replica of the football to indicate that six moves are required by each team before the ball can be picked up and returned.

During kickoff the linemen 12 can move vertically, horizontally or diagonally (FIGURE 22) up to ten squares in one direction per move after the ball has been kicked, and the same movements are permitted for the quaterback (FIGURE 23) and the backfield men (FIG- URE 25). The ends can move either horizontally or diagonally (FIGURE 24) up to ten squares after the ball has been kicked.

During the first six moves the kicking team and receiving team have the pieces moved in order to set up patterns for blocking and tackling the ball receiver.

The first move of the game is recorded by uncovering the white rectangle of the counter beside the peg numbered 1. The two sides each move their respective pieces in sequence the alloted number of squares, in turn, and as each side moves the slide 32 is moved in sequence to record the number of moves by the opposite sides. Thus, the kickoff is the first move and the counter slide 32 is moved one space, followed by a move by the opposite team, slide 32 uncovering the colored space. This procedure is continued until six moves (peg 6) are finished, and the ball can then be placed in motion.

During the kickoff plays, any member of the kicking team may gain and retain possession of the ball as long as the kick goes more than ten yards down field U from the point of kicking. The first player on either team to occupy a square where the ball rests gains possession of the ball, and the receiving team may, after the number six on the red color side of the move counter has been uncovered, advance the ball as far as possible until tackled. After the punt return, the team in possession of the ball has a series of four downs to make ten yards or a touchdown, and each down has a number of plays in sequence during which the defending team attempts to tackle the carrier. These rules follow the conventional football rules governing the kickoff and the ten yard rule, that is, on a kickoff if the ball is kicked a minimum of ten yards down field from the point of kicking, it becomes a free ball, and any member of either team may gain and keep possession of the ball. The team in possession of the ball is given a series of four downs to make ten yards and can continue its series of downs until a touchdown is made or until they fail to make the necessary yardage. On failing to make the necessary yardage, the team must kick or lose possession of the ball which is given over to the other team, the same as in regular football play.

Any team which feels that it cannot gain the necessary yardage on fourth down can use the last down to kick the ball to the other team, which is commonly done also in regular play, depending on where the ball is downed.

Blocking During each play, including during kickoff, the simulated players can tackle and block, a blocking operation occurring when one player pushes another player one square in the direction that he (the blocker) is moving, either forward, sideways or diagonally. Blocking may never occur from behind. At the start of the game, all of the simulated players face the line of scrimmage, and as the game progresses, players must face in the direction in which they are moving, blocking being permitted only from the direction that the player is facing, or from either side. When it is not possible to push an opponent one square because the square is occupied by another player, the team wishing to block can indicate a block by saying block. When a block occurs, the head of each of the playing pieces is covered by the same color cap 36 from one of the six sets of three caps (FIGURES 15-20), and the third identical colored cap is put on one of the pegs 1-16 three pegs ahead of the move counter slide 32 so that during the next three moves both pieces are considered out of the game. For example, if the slide 32 is at move white 8 (FIGURE 13) and a block occurred at the eighth move, then the cap is fitted over peg white 11, for example, a red cap (FIGURE 15), and the two blocked pieces, each of which also contains a red cap, are out of the game between moves 8 and 11 and as such are not free to perform any further plays.

It is one of the functions of the move counter 3th to record the occurrence of blocks, and, also, as the slide moves into registry with the peg having a third cap as the block indicator, it indicates release of the blocked players to resume play. There are six sets of caps to record six blocks, this bein more than ample since after the third move the blocked pieces are returned to play by removing their caps and replacing the caps 36 on the pegs The series eventually terminates with the end of a down and all blocked pieces are returned to play. After the series of moves which permits the blocked pieces to resume play, or at the end of a down, the colored caps 36 are removed from the heads of the pieces and from the counter peg 31 and returned to the storage pegs 40 on the move counter 39 (FIGURES 13, 14).

Tackling and strategy Skill in the football game is exhibited by how well the re ceiving team deploys the simulated players, bringing them into defensive positions to block the tacklers of the kicking team, and, on the other hand, by how well the kicking team avoids blocks and quickly deploys the pieces into tackling positions so that the receiving simulated player is tackled immediately upon gaining possession of the ball following the s'nrth move. If possible, the kicking team attempts to secure possession of the ball by moving a player onto the square occupied by the ball before the receiving team.

A tackle occurs if the ball carrier moves in such a manner that an opposing piece is in any touching square, or if an opposing piece is moved into any square which touches that of the ball carrier. When a ball carrier is tackled, play resumes at the point where the tackle occurred. On all kickofis, the ball is put into play midway between the side lines on the forty-five yard line of the kicking team with their men spread out on this line as shown in FIGURE 1. The pieces, according to their kind, are allotted the direction and number of movements indicated in FIGURES 22-25 with the receiving team, Whose moves are recorded on the red side on move counter 31), having the second move and with the two teams alternately moving so that the slide 32 of the counter 30 is moved after each move and uncovers successive color squares.

Assuming that the kickoff has not been returned for a touchdown, the ball is put into play where the offensive player has been tackled. When the ball is put into play, it is placed at least seven squares from the side line; the yard-marker 43 (FIGURE 3) is located with one marker at the line of scrimmage and the other marker ten yards down field. The field down-marker -42 (FIGURE 4) indicates the downs on the field, and another down marker 44 is used on the scoreboard 46 (FIGURE 11).

Regular play The ball is then put into play starting with a series of downs, and play may include any of the conventional plays, including running, passing or lateralling. The offensive team (upper team, FIGURE 21) which is in possession of the ball sets its men with the usual seven pieces (five linemen and two ends) at the line of scrimmage, and the quarterback 71 is located at least one square behind the linemen, and the backfield men are located anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. When all of the of fense men have been placed in position, the team on offense says set; now the defending team locates its pieces in a defensive pattern. When the defending team is ready to proceed with regular play, the ball is placed over the head of the offensive quarterback or on a square in front of the kicker, if it is a kicking play, and this indicates that play has begun. From this point on, each move is regisetered on the counter 36, the slide 32 uncovering first the White and then the red block for each move 1 through 16, the slide 32 being then returned to 1. The purpose of the slide is to keep account of the number of moves and the order of the moves, and it has a further function to keep track of how long blocked pieces are kept out of play and at which move they ar returned to play. During the play, the opposing simulated players will perform the usual blocking and tackling assignments, ball-running and passing assignments and defenses against such offensive movements according to the skill of the opposing players. The blocking assignments are performed by moving an offensive piece onto the square of a defensive piece, as for example, a block which will next be described with reference to FIGURE 21.

Referring to FIGURE 21, the offensive back 50 starting from square 52 is moved diagonally (FIGURE three squares, pushing defensive lineman piece 54 back one square in the same line; and to signify that a block has been made, the head of each piece is covered with a cap of the same color and taken from the pegs 4t and the third cap is then set over one of the pegs numbered 1 through 16 of the move counter 3t) three moves from the current move as previously described. Play continues with each player making successive moves, and after each move, counter is moved to keep track of each move, both the sequence and the number. Play continues until the ball carrier is either tackled or makes a score. The tackling occurs by either the ball carrier moving in such manner that an opposing piece is in any touching square or an opposing piece moving to any touching square adjacent to the ball carrier. After a ball carrier is tackled, play resumes at the point where the tackle occurs, and a down is recorded or a new series of downs is started if the player has made the necessary ten yard gain.

Passing The oifensive player can execute passing to an end or backfield man who is not more than fifty yards down field from the square occupied by the passer. A forward pass is a move, and the offensive team has eight moves to strategically place the men and to throw a pass either to a receiver or to an open square. The move counter records the pass play starting from the first move and keeps track of the fact that the pass must be completed within the requisite eight moves. The Word pass is printed on the white square number 8 on the move counter. If the ball is placed on an open square the defensive team has the first move toward the ball, but it must be picked up by either team within two moves. This is indicated by placing a replica of the ball on a peg two numbers higher 6 on the white side. If the ball is not picked up by the time this number is uncovered the pass is incomplete, and the next down will start at the line of scrimmage where the play originated. On pass plays, the pass must be made to the receiver within the first eight moves or the ball placed on an open square.

A pass is intercepted when it is thrown to an open square which is covered by an opponent within two moves or when an opposing piece is moved onto a touching square lying between the potential receiver and the line of scrimmage. Any piece which is a defensive piece can intercept the ball, and at the time of interception the ball goes over to the defensive team. During a passing play, a potential pass receiver may not be blocked beyond one square down field from the line of scrimmage.

Either the quarterback or any of the other backs can execute a pass or a handoff. A handoif is executed by any back moving within a square touching the square occupied by the quarterback, and he is entitled to receive the ball and not be charged for the move to transfer the ball, the handoff being executed at any time in conjunction with the move.

Laterals A lateral pass can be executed at any time by passing the ball backwards to any piece not more than twenty yards (eight squares) from the square occupied by the passer. A lateral pass is, however, considered to be a move.

Scoring When a touchdown is scored, the scoring team is given six points, and a touchdown occurs by a player crossing the other teams goal line or catching a pass behind the opposing teams goal line.

Following a touchdown, there is a conversion effort giving one point for a kick, pass or carrying the ball over the goal line in one play. If playing American League or college football teams, two points are given for passing or carrying the ball over the goal line in one play.

Exchanging the ball If the offensive team has not been able to make the necessary yardage within three downs, then at fourth down a punting situation may be called for, at which time a punt can be executed or a field goal can be attempted. On any kind of kick, such as field goals, punting or conversion, a replica of the ball is placed on No. 4 peg on the white side of the move counter. The ball is first placed on the square immediately in front of the kicker on a kicking play, and if for four moves the ball or kicker is not blocked, then the kick is successful. During a punting situation, the punting team may place the ball on any open square down field as long as it is not further than fifty-five yards (twenty-two squares) from the space occupied by the kicker. When a receiver of a kick is tackled behind his goal line or the ball is downed behind the goal line, play starts forthe receiving team with the first down at its twenty yard line. The kick can be blocked if an opposing piece is moved onto the square occupied by the ball or if a piece blocks the kicker by pushing him one square before the white No. 4 on the move counter is uncovered. The team blocking the kick gains possession of the ball and a first down at the point where the kick is blocked. Kicking play is also used for a field goal, and a field goal may be kicked when the goal 41 is not more than thirty yards (12 squares) from the line of scrimmage. The ball 22 (FIGURE 10) is placed on a square five squares behind the line of scrimmage immediately in front of the kicker for four moves, and if the defending team is unsuccessful in blocking the kick in the manner previously described, it is a field goal and the kicking team is awarded three points.

Following a touchdown, the team making the touchdown lines up in front of the goal line two and a half yards or one square in front of the goal line, and if the team is successful in kicking a field goal type kick as previously described over the goal line in one play, then the conversion effort is successful, and the kicking team is given one point. Alternatively, the team which has scored the touchdown may attempt a running or passing play which, if successfully completed in one play, also entitles the team to one point. If playing American League or college football teams two points are given for taking this alternative.

Safety Whenever any team is tackled behind its own goal line after having carried the ball or after putting the ball into play behind its own goal line, two points are awarded to the defending team, and the team scored on kicks off from its own twenty yard line.

The scores and the downs are recorded at 48 and 44 on the scoreboard (FIGURE 11), and wheels 49 (FIG- URE 12) are provided for changing the score, The scoreboard (FIGURE 11) is for keeping track of the score and the downs as well as the time out periods.

Time periods There is a time limit for the play, the same as in regular football play, and the time limit can be agreed upon in advance of the game, each half being anywhere from one-half to one or two hours. The period of time between the moves is also agreed upon in advance; a suggested period for setting the men for each play is about one minute. A player who exceeds the agreed time limit for making a move is penalized by the loss of that move. The team which exceeds the agreed time limit for setting up the men is penalized by a loss of five yards (2 squares). Each team may call for a time out of a few minutes duration for each half hour of a half period, either before or after both teams are set for play. For example, if the agreed time limit for a half period is an hour, each team may take two time outs. The maximum number of time outs per team in one half is four.

General provisions Each team is permitted only one move at a time. If the team on offense chooses to forfeit a move, they may so indicate by saying pass. On a field goal or conversion try, the team on offense may not wish to make a move, but nevertheless is always charged with having made such a move. In each series of plays, if the team in possession of the ball has successfully move the ball ten yards in four downs, they are always given another series of four downs. This is repeated until the team scores or fails to make the necessary yardage. The team initiating a down always puts the ball in play at least seven squares from the side line.

Game objective The object of the game is to move the ball down field to score points, six points being for a touchdown, one point for a conversion, or two points if playing American League or college football teams and a running or passing play is selected, two points for a safety and three points for a field goal, with the team scoring the most points winning the game.

The outcome of the game depends upon the skill of the players. It is possible, with the play described, to use the rules of the National Football League, American Football League, or College Football League teams, and the men can be painted and numbered to represent the teams of the individual players choice.

Two or more players can play. With two players, each player runs one team; with four players, each team has two players, one player running the offense, the other player running the defense; and, if desired, additional players can be provided to move the yard markers, the down indicators, the move counter, the scoreboard, etc.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection With one exemplary embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that this is illustrative of the invention and is by no means restrictive thereof. It is reasonably to be expected that those skilled in the art can make numerous revisions and variations of the invention, and it is intended that such revisions and variations will be included within the scope of the following claims as equivalents of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A football game apparatus comprising a playing board having a football field displayed thereon, a plurality of game pieces which are simulated linemen, ends, backfield players including a quarterback and a ball, counter means comprising a base member having two parallel rows of pegs mounted thereon, the two sets of pegs being visually distinguishable from each other, a recess formed in said member between said row of pegs, a plurality of bi-colored areas arranged in a series at the base of said recess, the colors alternating longitudinally of said rows of pegs, each area being aligned with one peg in each row, a slide movable in said recess to expose said areas successively, a plurality of sets of cap members adapted to be placed either on the pieces or on said pegs, each set comprising three identically colored cap members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 795,822 8/1905 Darius 273-84 1,654,582 1/1928 Devine 273-94 2,044,506 6/ 1936 Lundguist 273-94 2,052,035 8/1936 Potter 273-94 2,069,514 2/1937 Wylie 273-94 2,075,152 3/1937 Welna 273-94 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

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