US3643946A - Toy football game - Google Patents
Toy football game Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3643946A US3643946A US879368A US3643946DA US3643946A US 3643946 A US3643946 A US 3643946A US 879368 A US879368 A US 879368A US 3643946D A US3643946D A US 3643946DA US 3643946 A US3643946 A US 3643946A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ball
- panel
- field
- central portion
- playing field
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
- A63F7/36—Constructional details not covered by groups A63F7/24 - A63F7/34, i.e. constructional details of rolling boards, rims or play tables, e.g. frame, game boards, guide tracks
- A63F7/3603—Rolling boards with special surface, e.g. air cushion boards
Definitions
- a ball game amusement device for two contestants comprises a playing field beneath a transparent cover and a ball that is [52] U.S.Cl ..273/ R, 273/ 1 19 A, 273/109 sent back and forth across the field by a projector for each [51] int. Cl. ..A63b 71/06 player.
- the central portion of the bail field can be raised to [58] Field of Search ..273/ 109 R, G, 119 R, 120 R, catch and retain the ball between the bail field and the under- 273/85 side of the transparent panel, and a power-driven rotating cam raises the central portion of the ball field at the end of play.
- the present invention relates to ball game amusement devices, more particularly of the type in which players at opposite ends of a simulated ball field such as a football field are provided each with a projector for sending the ball toward a goal at the other players end of the field.
- the invention is more particularly concerned with coin operated devices of this type, in which the game may be played for only a predetermined period of time following the insertion of a coin, after which the apparatus is in some way disabled.
- coin operated devices of this type in which the game may be played for only a predetermined period of time following the insertion of a coin, after which the apparatus is in some way disabled.
- such devices were provided with a plurality of balls which would drop down through holes and disappear from the playing field.
- it was then necessary to retrieve and reposition the ball or balls and such devices were complicated and expensive and playing time was consumed by retrieval of the balls.
- Another object of the present invention is the provision of such an amusement device in which the ball is automatically positioned in a central portion of the playing field at the end of one game and the onset of the next game.
- anamusement device of the ball game type which will be relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, install, operate, maintain and repair, and rugged and durable in use.
- FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of an amusement device according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the novel structure of the device of FIG. 1.
- an amusement device of the ball game type comprising a horizontal table on the underside of which is fixedly mounted a flat box 1 by which the table is supported on a pedestal 2.
- the interior of box 1 is covered by a horizontal panel 3 of glass or other transparent material flush with the table top.
- the lower side of box I is closed by a horizontal bottom 4.
- a thin flexible panel 5 whose upper surface is marked as a playing field for the particular ball game in question, for example, a game of football.
- a ball 6 of plastic or the like which in any event will be of a material softer than panel 3 so as not to scratch the under surface of panel 3, rolls on the upper surface of panel 5,'beneath panel 3.
- Panel 5 may be of any suitable plastic material and is flexible at least in the sense that it is flexible about at least one bend line which is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and that is disposed midway between the ends of panel 3 as seen in FIG. 1.
- panel 5 may be flexible as by making panel 5 from a material that is flexible throughout; or panel 5 may be flexible along only the one line indicated immediately above. In any event, panel 5 is capable of flexure between the full-line and phantom-line positions thereofshown in FIG. 1.
- the ball 6 is propelled by the contestants back and forth across the upper surface of the panel 5, that is, about the playing field, by means of conventional spring pistols 7,7 which can be aimed in various directions and by means of which the ball 6 can be shot toward goal cages (not shown) disposed at the same ends of box 1 as the spring pistols.
- conventional electrical switches 8 can be disposed at the same ends as spring pistols 7, so as to actuate electrical signals which will actuate a goal counter and/or indicator.
- Such devices are of course very well known as such in amusement devices of this kind and accordingly need not be further described.
- Mechanism for periodically raising the midportion of panel 5, from the phantom-line to the full-line position in FIG. 1.
- This mechanism is perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, and comprises a rotary cam 9 that rotates slowly to swing a pivoted lever 10 counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- the lever 10 carries a pin 11 that supports the underside of panel 5 adjacent the central bend line thereof.
- Cam 9 has a raised portion 12 thereon which in contact with lever 10 causes panel 5 to be raised to such a height that it is spaced from the underside of panel 3 a distance less than the diameter of the ball 6, thereby to catch and stop the ball 6 with a wedging action when cam 9 is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
- a motor 13 with gear reduction is provided for slowly rotating cam 9 one rotation upon the insertion of a coin in a conventional coin box (not shown).
- Motor 13 is provided with conventional controls such that cam 9 performs one rotation during the predetermined playing period, and then stops in the position of FIGS. 1 and 2. Insertion of a further coin recommences the slow rotation of cam 9 through one turn back to the position of FIGS. 1 and 2.
- Ball game amusement apparatus comprising a panel defining a playing field, a ball that rolls on the playing field, means for propelling the ball about the playing field, a transparent cover that overlies the playing field and the ball, means for moving at least a central portion of the playing field toward the cover releasably to retain the ball between the playing field and the cover, said moving means comprising a rotatable cam, and means driving said rotatable cam through one revolution from a position in which said cam raises said central portion of the panel, through a position in which said cam lowers said central portion of the panel, and back to a final position in which said cam raises said central portion of the panel.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
- Transmission Devices (AREA)
- Hair Curling (AREA)
Abstract
A ball game amusement device for two contestants comprises a playing field beneath a transparent cover and a ball that is sent back and forth across the field by a projector for each player. The central portion of the ball field can be raised to catch and retain the ball between the ball field and the underside of the transparent panel, and a power-driven rotating cam raises the central portion of the ball field at the end of play.
Description
United States Patent Ylinen Feb. 22, 1972 [54] TOY FOOTBALL GAME FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [72] inventor: Klaus Johannes Ylinen, Frejgatan 13, 514,384 12/1930 Germany Stockholm, Sweden Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham I969 Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind [21] App]. No 879,368 Al!urney-Young&'lhompson [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Nov. 22, 1968 Sweden ..l5896/68 A ball game amusement device for two contestants comprises a playing field beneath a transparent cover and a ball that is [52] U.S.Cl ..273/ R, 273/ 1 19 A, 273/109 sent back and forth across the field by a projector for each [51] int. Cl. ..A63b 71/06 player. The central portion of the bail field can be raised to [58] Field of Search ..273/ 109 R, G, 119 R, 120 R, catch and retain the ball between the bail field and the under- 273/85 side of the transparent panel, and a power-driven rotating cam raises the central portion of the ball field at the end of play.
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures 1,572,069 2/1926 Kline ..27
TOY FOOTBALL GAME The present invention relates to ball game amusement devices, more particularly of the type in which players at opposite ends of a simulated ball field such as a football field are provided each with a projector for sending the ball toward a goal at the other players end of the field.
The invention is more particularly concerned with coin operated devices of this type, in which the game may be played for only a predetermined period of time following the insertion of a coin, after which the apparatus is in some way disabled. Heretofore, such devices were provided with a plurality of balls which would drop down through holes and disappear from the playing field. However, it was then necessary to retrieve and reposition the ball or balls, and such devices were complicated and expensive and playing time was consumed by retrieval of the balls.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages, by providing an amusement device that can be played with a ball that remains on the playing field at all times.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of such an amusement device in which the ball is automatically positioned in a central portion of the playing field at the end of one game and the onset of the next game.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide anamusement device of the ball game type, which will be relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, install, operate, maintain and repair, and rugged and durable in use.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of an amusement device according to the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the novel structure of the device of FIG. 1.
Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, there is shown an amusement device of the ball game type, comprising a horizontal table on the underside of which is fixedly mounted a flat box 1 by which the table is supported on a pedestal 2. The interior of box 1 is covered by a horizontal panel 3 of glass or other transparent material flush with the table top. The lower side of box I is closed by a horizontal bottom 4.
Between the panel 3 and bottom 4 of box I is disposed a thin flexible panel 5 whose upper surface is marked as a playing field for the particular ball game in question, for example, a game of football. A ball 6 of plastic or the like, which in any event will be of a material softer than panel 3 so as not to scratch the under surface of panel 3, rolls on the upper surface of panel 5,'beneath panel 3. Panel 5 may be of any suitable plastic material and is flexible at least in the sense that it is flexible about at least one bend line which is perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and that is disposed midway between the ends of panel 3 as seen in FIG. 1. Thus the entire extent of panel 5 may be flexible as by making panel 5 from a material that is flexible throughout; or panel 5 may be flexible along only the one line indicated immediately above. In any event, panel 5 is capable of flexure between the full-line and phantom-line positions thereofshown in FIG. 1.
The ball 6 is propelled by the contestants back and forth across the upper surface of the panel 5, that is, about the playing field, by means of conventional spring pistols 7,7 which can be aimed in various directions and by means of which the ball 6 can be shot toward goal cages (not shown) disposed at the same ends of box 1 as the spring pistols. For example, conventional electrical switches 8 can be disposed at the same ends as spring pistols 7, so as to actuate electrical signals which will actuate a goal counter and/or indicator. Such devices are of course very well known as such in amusement devices of this kind and accordingly need not be further described.
Mechanism is provided for periodically raising the midportion of panel 5, from the phantom-line to the full-line position in FIG. 1. This mechanism is perhaps best seen in FIG. 2, and comprises a rotary cam 9 that rotates slowly to swing a pivoted lever 10 counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lever 10 carries a pin 11 that supports the underside of panel 5 adjacent the central bend line thereof. Cam 9 has a raised portion 12 thereon which in contact with lever 10 causes panel 5 to be raised to such a height that it is spaced from the underside of panel 3 a distance less than the diameter of the ball 6, thereby to catch and stop the ball 6 with a wedging action when cam 9 is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A motor 13 with gear reduction is provided for slowly rotating cam 9 one rotation upon the insertion of a coin in a conventional coin box (not shown). Motor 13 is provided with conventional controls such that cam 9 performs one rotation during the predetermined playing period, and then stops in the position of FIGS. 1 and 2. Insertion of a further coin recommences the slow rotation of cam 9 through one turn back to the position of FIGS. 1 and 2.
While cam 9 is undergoing all but the first and last portions of its rotative movement, panel 5 will be sufficiently lowered that the ball 6 can move all over its upper surface without becoming wedged against the underside of panel 3. During this period of time, the two players can push the ball back and forth by use of the spring pistols and register goals in the well known manner. However, when cam 9 is at the end of its rota tion and back in the position shown in the drawing, then the central portion of panel 3 that the next shot of the ball causes the ball to wedge in that midportion shown in the drawing. Of course, even in its lowered position, panel 5 need not be precisely flat, thereby to insure that the ball will move toward one end of the game table or the other whenever the ball is in play.
From a consideration of the foregoing disclosure, therefore, it will be evident that all of the initially recited objects of the present invention have been achieved.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, as those skilled in this art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Having described my invention, I claim:
1. Ball game amusement apparatus comprising a panel defining a playing field, a ball that rolls on the playing field, means for propelling the ball about the playing field, a transparent cover that overlies the playing field and the ball, means for moving at least a central portion of the playing field toward the cover releasably to retain the ball between the playing field and the cover, said moving means comprising a rotatable cam, and means driving said rotatable cam through one revolution from a position in which said cam raises said central portion of the panel, through a position in which said cam lowers said central portion of the panel, and back to a final position in which said cam raises said central portion of the panel.
Claims (1)
1. Ball game amusement apparatus comprising a panel defining a playing field, a ball that rolls on the playing field, means for propelling the ball about the playing field, a transparent cover that overlies the playing field and the ball, means for moving at least a central portion of the playing field toward the cover releasably to retain the ball between the playing field and the cover, said moving means comprising a rotatable cam, and means driving said rotatable cam through one revolution from a position in which said cam raises said central portion of the panel, through a position in which said cam lowers said central portion of the panel, and back to a final position in which said cam raises said central portion of the panel.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE15896/68A SE323311B (en) | 1968-11-22 | 1968-11-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3643946A true US3643946A (en) | 1972-02-22 |
Family
ID=20301399
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US879368A Expired - Lifetime US3643946A (en) | 1968-11-22 | 1969-11-24 | Toy football game |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3643946A (en) |
AT (1) | AT301405B (en) |
BE (1) | BE741768A (en) |
CH (1) | CH501420A (en) |
DE (2) | DE6945157U (en) |
DK (1) | DK121014B (en) |
ES (1) | ES374055A1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2023920A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1229716A (en) |
NO (1) | NO124516B (en) |
SE (1) | SE323311B (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3851879A (en) * | 1973-11-05 | 1974-12-03 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Game device with selectively movable panel structure |
US4146227A (en) * | 1977-08-17 | 1979-03-27 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Projectile game with plural central target areas |
US4257601A (en) * | 1978-02-21 | 1981-03-24 | Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. | Manipulative game |
US5064196A (en) * | 1989-08-10 | 1991-11-12 | Gottlieb Alvin J | Pinball machine having pivoted double-inclined playing surface |
US5238248A (en) * | 1989-08-10 | 1993-08-24 | Alvin G. & Co. | Scoring mechanism for a pinball machine |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2008082593A2 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2008-07-10 | Pearson Kent D | Apparatus and method for play utilizing an interactive play table that provides 3-dimensional movement to a play piece |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1572069A (en) * | 1925-04-09 | 1926-02-09 | Kline Frederick | Game |
DE514384C (en) * | 1931-07-04 | Otto Stolz | Ball game |
-
1968
- 1968-11-22 SE SE15896/68A patent/SE323311B/xx unknown
-
1969
- 1969-11-14 NO NO4534/69A patent/NO124516B/no unknown
- 1969-11-17 GB GB1229716D patent/GB1229716A/en not_active Expired
- 1969-11-17 CH CH1706469A patent/CH501420A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1969-11-17 BE BE741768D patent/BE741768A/xx unknown
- 1969-11-17 AT AT1072369A patent/AT301405B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1969-11-19 ES ES374055A patent/ES374055A1/en not_active Expired
- 1969-11-21 DE DE6945157U patent/DE6945157U/en not_active Expired
- 1969-11-21 DE DE19691958459 patent/DE1958459A1/en active Pending
- 1969-11-21 FR FR6940193A patent/FR2023920A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
- 1969-11-24 US US879368A patent/US3643946A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1969-11-24 DK DK620669AA patent/DK121014B/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE514384C (en) * | 1931-07-04 | Otto Stolz | Ball game | |
US1572069A (en) * | 1925-04-09 | 1926-02-09 | Kline Frederick | Game |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3851879A (en) * | 1973-11-05 | 1974-12-03 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Game device with selectively movable panel structure |
US4146227A (en) * | 1977-08-17 | 1979-03-27 | Marvin Glass & Associates | Projectile game with plural central target areas |
US4257601A (en) * | 1978-02-21 | 1981-03-24 | Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. | Manipulative game |
US5064196A (en) * | 1989-08-10 | 1991-11-12 | Gottlieb Alvin J | Pinball machine having pivoted double-inclined playing surface |
US5238248A (en) * | 1989-08-10 | 1993-08-24 | Alvin G. & Co. | Scoring mechanism for a pinball machine |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NO124516B (en) | 1972-05-02 |
CH501420A (en) | 1971-01-15 |
AT301405B (en) | 1972-09-11 |
DE6945157U (en) | 1972-12-07 |
DK121014B (en) | 1971-08-16 |
DE1958459A1 (en) | 1970-06-11 |
SE323311B (en) | 1970-04-27 |
FR2023920A1 (en) | 1970-08-21 |
GB1229716A (en) | 1971-04-28 |
BE741768A (en) | 1970-05-04 |
ES374055A1 (en) | 1972-04-01 |
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