US3398956A - Retaliatory game - Google Patents

Description

Aug.. 27, 1968 F. J. LUKES RETALIATORY GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 3, 1965 ug. 27, 1968 F. J. LUKES RETALIATORY GAME Filed Aug. 5, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheetv 2 United States Patent O 3,398,956 RETALIATORY GAME Frank J. Lukes, 106 E. Bellevue Place, Chicago, Ill. 60611 Filed Aug. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 476,830 15 Claims. (Cl. 273-101) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A retaliatory game of the type having opposing missile elements on opposite sides of a central barrier, the missiles held on launchers in a cocked state of readiness for launching and being launchable responsive to the blow of an opposing missile striking the launcher.

This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to a new and improved retaliatory-type game.

There are several known games which simulate adversary conditions, such as war games or the like, wherein the players take turns in attempting to thwart or overcome the opposition. Any one given or set of given moves by one player may then subsequently be countered by the other player and so on. Usually each set of moves by one player is preceded by an interruption or break in the `moves by the other player. Moreover, the moves of the opposing forces are typically governed by means for fortuitously selecting an indicia which in turn is keyed to a set of instructions which governs the type of move made, such as by spinning a dial, drawing a card, or throwing dice or the like.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved retaliatory-type games.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved game where the actuation of game implements by one player -may cause the retaliatory actuation of an opponents implements in such a manner as to work to the detriment of the one player.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a new and improved retaliatory-type game including a plurality of opposing implements which are maintained in a constant state of readiness for aggressive action wherein the actuation of one players implements in an aggressive fashion in an eff-ort to nullify an opposing players implements may initiate a retaliatory attack by the opponents implements which will nullify one of the iirst players implements.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a top plan view of the game board of this invention with some of the implements assembled and ready for play;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the game board shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the launcher unit utilized with the game of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a section view taken through the launcher unit on the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the release of the missile from its cocked position responsive to actuation of the trigger disc; and

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of a simulated missile man which may be an implement of this game.

The game of this invention includes a generally at, thin, elongate board 12 and a plurality of playing implements 14 which are mounted on the board for action during the game. The board is divided into opposing portions 16 and 18 which are substantial mirror images of ICE each other. The central portion of the board is provided with fold lines 19 about which the board may be folded to form a center barrier 20 having upstanding walls 20a and 20h. Each opposing portion 16 and 18 has a plurality of launching areas 22. A space or no-mans land 24 is provided on either side of barrier 20. This no-mans land 24 may also be formed as a space between two barriers 20 with the barriers formed closer to the launching areas.

Each launching area 22 is provided with a launching unit 26 and may also be provided with a missile man 28 supported on a base 28a. Each launching unit includes a missile platform 30 which is placed on top of the game board 12. The platform 30 has a hub 30a and an upright opening 30b therethrough for receiving a pivot pin 31 which is inserted from the underside of the board through an opening 12a. Pivot pin 31 has a tapered and 31a and an enlarged shank 31b. This mounts the missile platform pivotally with respect to the board and provides means for aiming the launching unit by pivoting the unit about the pin 31.

Further included in the launching unit 26 is the launcher 32. Launcher 32 and platform 30 may be integrally formed as a one-piece structure or, for the convenience of manufacture, shipping and storage, may be a two-part component which may be easily assembled. Launcher 32 is provided with a missile-guiding surface, track, or groove 34 for receiving and guiding a missile 36. Missile 36 may be provided with appropriate guiding and bearing surfaces such as a missile nose guide 38 and missile air foil surfaces 40, as well as missile front and tail projections `41 and 42, respectively. Ihe lower edge of the launcher at the bottom end of groove 34 is provided with a slightly projecting first locking surface or lip 43 which may engage with the forward edge or second locking surface 42a of the tail projection 42 to hold the missile in the cocked position.

Means are provided for cooking or holding the missile in a condition of stress or readiness which will launch the missile into a trajectory responsive to release of this means. In the preferred embodiment, this means is shown as a rubber band 46 which is looped about the launcher and extends through openings 47 therein and engages the rear edge of the tail projection 42 of the missile. When the rubber band is thus mounted on the launcher and about the missile, and the missile is positioned with the forward edge of the tail projection engaging the 'lip 43 of the launcher as shown in FIGURE 4, the missile is then in place on the launcher in a position ready for actuation responsive to camming of the tail projection 42 over the lip 43. Thus the tail projection 42, the lip 43, and the rubber band 46 all form part of a means for cocking the missile and holding the same in a condition of readiness for launching into a trajectory responsive to actuation of a release means or a means which will cam the projection 42 over the lip 43.

The release means of this invention includes a trigger disc 48 having a central opening 48a for telescoping the disc about the pin 31. The opening 48a is preferably of such a size relative to the tapered end 31a and the shank 31b of pin 31 that the disc may be telescoped over the pin to a point which is substantially coincident with the junction of the tapered portion 31a with the shank portion 31h. This permits the disc 48 to cant relative to the pin 31 responsive to blows inflicted on the disc as illustrated by the arrow A in FIGURE 5.

One edge of the disc is provided with an upwardly and outwardly extending trigger linger 50. When the disc is properly positioned on pin 31 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, trigger finger 50 abuts the underside of tail projection 42 as shown in FIGURE 5. When the disc 48 cants responsive to a blow from the general direction indicated by the arrow A, this causes trigger iinger 50 to lift tail projection 42 over lip 43 as shown in FIGURE 5. The stress in the rubber band 46 may now exert its force on the missile to launch the missile through a trajectory as indicated by the arrows B, C, and D in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. As the missile is launched in the groove 34, the front projection 41 and tail projection 42 provide the surfaces along which the missile slides in the groove 34. It is to be noted that as the missile is cammed over the lip 43 by trigger finger 50, this causes the rear of the missile to lift slightly and the front end to extend downwardly into the groove. Here the disc-like front bearing surface 38 may also perform a guiding function with the arcuate sides of the launcher groove 34 to insure relative launching stability of the missile in the groove.

To set the game up ready for play by opposing players, the pin 31 is first inserted through the hole in the game board and then the platform 30 with launchers 32 are mounted over the pin. Rubber band 46 is then inserted through the openings 47, wrapped about the rear of the launcher and draped down towards the bottom of the launcher groove 34. To increase tension in the rubber band and adjust the launching force afforded thereby, the rubber band may be hooked in one of several notches 47a formed on the rear of the launcher. Next, disc 48 is mounted over the pin 31 with the trigger finger 50 near the bottom of the groove 34. The missile is positioned on the launcher by sliding it downwardly in the groove until the rubber band catches the bottom tail projection of the missile and then further pulling the missile behind the bottom edge of the launcher so that the tail projection is caught underneath the lip 43 and overhangs the trigger iinger 50. After this is done with all of the other missile units on their respective launching areas, all of the units are cocked and ready to be launched responsive to a blow on each disc 48. A spaceman 28 may be positioned adjacent each of the missile units. Preferably the sets of implements including the launchers and the spacement will be of two different colors so that one player utilizing one side of the board 16 will have implements of one color and the other player using the other side of the board 18 will have implements of the other color.

The players may aim their several missiles by turning the missile units on the pin 31. Initially each player may aim each of his missiles so that they will be in a position to strike one opposing missile. Preferably each missile would be aimed at a different opposing missile, it being understood that the opponent would be undertaking the same procedure.

After choosing which player is to proceed first, that player will announce the opposing launcher unit which he plans to hit and will lire his missile by striking the trigger disc 48 with suitable means such as the launching hammer 52. If the player is successful in hitting the announced missile, or if he hits the spaceman which is adjacent the announced missile, he may continue to shoot. As soon as the player misses, then the opponent gets an opportunity to aim and call his shot and may continue to do so until he misses his announced shot. If either the player or the opponent misses his shot, but does hit another missile or missile man, he will get credit for this hit, but the opponent is still entitled to proceed next. Each time a missile hits an adversary missile or adversary spaceman, that party whose missile scored the hit gets a credit which may be marked on a score sheet or may take the form of marking devices such as chips, discs, or other suitable well-known means.

It is possible, of course, that the launching of a missile by a player on the side of the board 16 may successfully launch the missile through a trajectory indicated by the arrow B which will cause it to strike an opponents missile on the side of the board 18 which, in turn, may launch the opponents missile, that missile entering into a trajectory C which will send it through a retaliatory path and cause it to strike the players missile on the side of the board 16. This in turn may launch that missile through a counter-retaliatory trajectory D which will cause it to strike a missile on the side of the board 18 and so on. All such hits may count in the rules of the game as a disablement or a score which goes to the credit of the participants.

Thus this invention provides a game wherein the several implements, in the form of missiles, are cocked and ready for ight through a trajectory responsive to a suitable blow on the trigger means. The purpose of the game is to launch a missile into a trajectory which will strike and therefore symbolically knock out of commission an opponents missile. However, the very blow which constitutes the score may launch the opponents missile into a retaliatory path which may strike a missile on the first side and launch that missile into a counter-retaliatory path, and so on.

It can be understood that the missile launchers may be mounted to the board by means other than the pivotal attachments shown herein for providing a means for aiming the rockets. Also, it can readily be appreciated that other means for cocking the missile other than the rubber band shown herein may be provided. As stated, the mis sile launchers may be provided with several axially spaced notches 47a so that the amount of tension imparted in the rubber band may be changed. Thus the several components of the game, while being relatively simple and easy to assemble and operate, provide a novel and high entertaining game which may be enjoyed by participants of diverse age groups.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

1. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separated into iirst and second opposing sec-- tions; a plurality of launching stations on each section; aimable launching means at each station, said launching means including a missile launcher having a surface for guiding a missile into a trajectory and means for holding a missile cocked in a state of readiness for flight through said trajectory; a missile on each launcher held in said cocked state; and a trigger element on each launcher for releasing the missile for flight responsive to actuation thereof, said trigger element comprising a target area movably mounted on the launcher as to lie generally transverse to the path of a descending missile and connected to the missile to launch the same responsive to movement of the trigger element, such as by being deflected by a descending missile, so that initial launching of one missile from a iirst side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said one missile to strike the trigger element of an opposing launcher on the second side of the board may launch said opposing missile on said second side into a proper retaliatory trajectory to strike the trigger element of a third launcher on the iirst side of the board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcher into a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

2. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separated into first and second opposing seotions; a plurality of launching stations on each section; launching means at each station, said launching means including a missile launcher having a surface for guiding a missile into a trajectory and means for holding a missile cocked in a state of readiness for iiight through said trajectory; a missile on each launcher held in said cocked state; and a movably mounted missile actuable trigger element on each launcher operably connected to the missile for releasing the missile for flight responsive to actuation thereof, said trigger element including a target area which lies generally transverse to the path of a descending missile, said launchers constructed and ar ranged to permit opposing missiles to be aimed at each other so that initial launching of one missile from a first side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said one missile to strike an opposing launcher on t-he second side of the board may launch said opposing missile on said second side into a proper retaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side of the board, which in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcher into a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and

so on.

3. The game of claim 2 wherein said playing board is provided with a barrier between said first and second opposing sections.

4. The competitive game of claim 2 wherein said launchers are pivoted to said board to provide a means for aiming the launchers.

5. The game of claim 2 wherein said launcher surface terminates in 'an end having a lip extending away from the surface and wherein said missile has a portion on the underside which may en-gage said lip to hold the missile in said cocked state.

6. The game of claim 5 wherein said missile is releasably connected to said launcher by means normally urging said missile into a trajectory and wherein said trig- -ger element is constructed and arranged to release said missile responsive to an aerial blow imparted to the trigger element.

7. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising, a playing board separated into first and second opposing sections; a plurality of launching stations on eac-h section; aimable launching means including a launcher unit having a platform positioned on the launching station and a missile guiding surface projecting upwardly .from the platform for guiding a missile in a trajectory; urging means on said launching unit for normally urging a missile into flight through a trajectory; a missile normally held on said guiding surface and connected to said urging means so as to be normally urged into flight; means for holding said missile cocked in a state of readiness for flight including a first locking surface on the lower end of the launcher guiding surface and a second locking surface on the missile in engagement with said first surface; a trigger element movably mounted on said launcher and operably connected to the missile by means for releasing the engagement between the missile and launcher locking surfaces responsive to movement of the trigger element to permit said urging means to launch said missile into flight, means responsive to `a correctly aimed blow on the launcher to ca use movement of said trigger so that initial launching of one missile from a first side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said one missile to strike an opposing launcher on the second side of the board may launch said opposing missile on said second side into a proper retaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side of the board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcher into a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

8. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separated into first and second opposing sections; a -plurality of launching stations on each section; launching means including `a launcher unit having a platform positioned on the launching station and a missile guiding surface projecting upwardly from the platform for guiding a missile into a trajectory; urging means on said launching unit for normally urging a missile into flight through a trajectory; a missile normally held on said guiding sur-face and connected to said urging means so as to be normally urged into flight through said trajectory; means for holding said missile in a state of readiness for flight including a first locking surface 0n the lower end of the launcher guiding surface and a second locking surface on the missile in engagement with said first surface; a trigger element including a generally horizontally disposed tarket area movably mounted on said launcher and operably connected to the missile by means for releasing the engagement between the missile and launcher locking surfaces responsive to movement of the trigger element to permit said urging means to launch said missile into flight responsive to a blow thereon; and means mounting said launching means to said playing board for aiming opposing missiles lat each other so that initial launching of one missile from a first side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said one missile to strike an opposing launcher on the second side of the board may launch said opposing missile on said second side into a proper retaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side of the board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcher into a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

9. The game of claim 8 wherein said launching units are mounted to said board by pin means which extends through the board launching unit platform and wherein said trigger element is impaled on said pin means and is actuated to release the missile by being canted relative to its impalement on said pin.

10. The game of claim 9 wherein said trigger element is provided with a, finger normally held adjacent to the underside of the missile for disengaging said first and second locking surfaces by raising the underside of the missile responsive to canting of said trigger element.

11. The game of claim 10 wherein said missile is provided with projections on the underside thereof near the forward and rear ends, and said second locking surface is formed on one of said projections.

12. The game of claim 11 wherein said missile is provided with a guiding and bearing surface at the forward end thereof having a configuration which generally mates with the guiding surface of said launcher unit to assist in the proper launching of the missile as the finger of the trigger element raises the underside of the missile to permit the release of the missile for flight.

13. A competitive retaliatory game, comprising: a playing board separated into first and second opposing sections; a plurality of launching stations on each section; a launching unit on each station including a platform member positioned on the playing board and a missile launching track projecting upwardly from the platform for guiding a missile into a trajectory, said launching track having a locking surface on the lower end thereof; means on said launching unit for normally urging a missile into a trajectory; a missile normally held on said launching track and connected to said urging means so as to be normally urged for flight through said' trajectory, said missile having projections on the underside thereof with a second locking surface formed on one of said projections constructed and arranged to engage Iwith said locking surface on said missile launching track to hold the missile cocked in a state of readiness; a trigger element on said platform member having a finger portion normally held adjacent to the underside of the missile for disengaging the launcher and missile locking surfaces to release the missile for flight, said trigger element responsive to an aerial blow thereon; and means pivotally mounting said launcher unit to said playing board to permit opposing missiles to be aimed at each other so that initial launching of one missile from a first side of the board into a proper trajectory which causes said one missile to strike an opposing launcher on the second side of the board may launch said opposing missile on said second side into a proper retaliatory trajectory to strike a third launcher on the first side of the board, which, in turn, may launch a missile from said third launcher into a counter-retaliatory trajectory, and so on.

14. The game of claim 13 wherein said launching units are mounted to said board by a pin which extends through the board and the platform member and wherein said trigger element is impaled on said pin for canting movement relative to the pin to release the locking engagement between the missile and the launching track to permit the urging means to launch the missile into a trajectory.

15. The game of claim 14 wherein the urging means includes a resilient stretchable member having one end arranged to engage the lower end of the missile with the other end connected to the launching track.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 283,661 8/1883 Reed 273-101 284,965 9/1883 Ireland 273-101 Reed 273-101 Doan 273-101 Miller 273-101 Holland 273-101 Thomas 46-81 Glass et al. 273-95 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

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