Golf game and method of game play using same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method of game play for an amusement game wherein participants attempt to project a game piece into a receptacle and may include a game piece adapted to be projected by the at least one participant, a plurality of game figures, and a game base. The game base may include a plurality of first receptacles disposed in an upper surface of the game base, and each first receptacle may be adapted to receive one of the game figures and to retain the corresponding figure alternately in an upwardly extended position and in a retracted position, and may also include a second receptacle adapted to receive the game piece. Each of the plurality of game figures may be adapted to engage the corresponding one of the plurality of first receptacles when the game figure is disposed in the upwardly extended position such that the game figure may disengage from the corresponding one of the plurality of first receptacles and move to the retracted position when the game figure is impacted by the projected game piece.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The patent is directed to a golf game, and more particularly to a golf game wherein the participants knock down figures or hit a golf ball around figures in order to putt a golf ball into a hole or cup.

[0002] Various games wherein participants direct a ball or other projected game piece at various targets have been previously described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,541,980 to Luber discloses a game device including a game board having three openings, each having a corresponding value, and with the body of the game board having an inclined position so that balls may be rolled up the incline to drop into any of the holes. The holes may each have an associated cup member, which is hinged at a lower edge and frictionally engaged by the game board at its top. When a ball is projected through the opening, it strikes the cup and disengages the cup from the lip of the game board to allow the cup to drop to an open position and retain the ball.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,894 to McCraw discloses a game playable by one or more players in which the level of skill necessary for success may be selectively varied. The game includes a disk-shaped piece for each of the players, a fortress structure which may serve as a target depending upon player strategy, a plurality of cup-shaped traps disposed around the fortress for blocking or confining pieces, and a plurality of magnetic parasites for effecting travel of pieces moving in close proximity thereto. The fortress is preferably in the form of a truncated cone of polygonal cross-section, and it includes an upper, generally planar safe area adapted to receive pieces. Nubs provided around the safe area circumference may be oriented as desired to vary the level of difficulty by rotating the fortress. The difficulty level is further responsive to variations in fortress height, deployment of additional nubs, and additional use of a fence. Strategy involves wounding of opposing players by contacting their pieces with one's own.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In one aspect, the invention is directed to an electronic game wherein participants take turns projecting a ball in an attempt to put the ball in a hole. The electronic game may include a ball, a plurality of game figures, and a base. The base may include a plurality of first receptacles disposed in an upper surface of the base, wherein each first receptacle may be adapted to receive one of the game figures and to retain the corresponding figure alternately in an upwardly extended position and in a retracted position, and a figure lift mechanism that may be adapted to move the plurality of game figures from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position. The base may further include a plurality of figure drop switches, wherein each figure drop switch may be disposed within one of the first receptacles and may have a first figure state when the corresponding one of the game figures is disposed in the upwardly extended position and a second figure state when the corresponding one of the game figures is disposed in the retracted position. Still further, the base may include a second receptacle adapted to receive the ball, a ball drop switch disposed within the second receptacle and having a first ball state when the ball is not disposed in the second receptacle and a second ball state when the ball is disposed in the second receptacle, and a ball return mechanism disposed within the second receptacle that may be adapted to project the ball disposed in the second receptacle from the second receptacle. The base may also include a motor operatively connected to the figure lift mechanism and to the ball return mechanism, a speaker being adapted to output sounds, and a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of figure drop switches, the ball drop switch, the motor and the speaker.

[0005] The controller of the base may be programmed to detect the first and the second ball states of the ball drop switch, and to activate the motor to drive the lift mechanism and the ball return mechanism upon detecting the second ball state of the ball drop switch. The controller may also be programmed to detect the first and the second figure states of the plurality of figure drop switches, to cause the speaker to output a first prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the upwardly extended position when the controller detects the corresponding one of the game figure drop switches having the first figure state, and to cause the speaker to output a second prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the retracted position when the controller detects the corresponding one of the game figure drop switches having the second figure state.

[0006] In another aspect, the invention is directed to an amusement game for use by at least one game participant and may include a game piece adapted to be projected by the at least one participant, a plurality of game figures, and a game base. The game base may include a plurality of first receptacles disposed in an upper surface of the game base, and each first receptacle may be adapted to receive one of the game figures and to retain the corresponding figure alternately in an upwardly extended position and in a retracted position, and may also include a second receptacle adapted to receive the game piece. Each of the plurality of game figures may be adapted to engage the corresponding one of the plurality of first receptacles when the game figure is disposed in the upwardly extended position such that the game figure may disengage from the corresponding one of the plurality of first receptacles and move to the retracted position when the game figure is impacted by the projected game piece.

[0007] In a further aspect, the invention is directed to a method of game play for an electronic game wherein participants attempt to project a game piece into a first receptacle in a base of the electronic game. The method may include providing a plurality of game figures and a plurality of second receptacles adapted to receive one of the game figures, wherein the game figures may be disposed in an upwardly extended position within the second receptacles, and prompting a participant to project the game piece toward the first receptacle. The method may also include determining whether the projected game piece engaged one of the game figures such that the game figure moved from the upwardly extended position to a retracted position within the corresponding second receptacle, and outputting a knocked down figure sound corresponding to the one of the game figures engaged by the projected game piece and moved to the retracted position after determining that the one of the game figures was engaged by the game piece. Further, the method may include determining whether the projected game piece is disposed within the first receptacle, and outputting an end-of-round sound after determining that the game piece is disposed in the first receptacle.

[0008] Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the claims of this patent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a golf game in accordance with the invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the game of FIG. 1;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the base of the game of FIG. 1 with the housing removed;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one of the figures, stationary cylinders and rotating cylinders of the game of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of one of the figures of the game of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view through line 6--6 of one of the stationary cylinders of the game of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view through line 7--7 of one of the stationary cylinders of the game of FIG. 2;

[0016] FIG. 8 is a top view of one of the stationary cylinders of the game of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 9 is side cross-sectional view through line 9--9 of one of the stationary cylinders of the game of FIG. 1, with one of the figures in an upwardly extended position;

[0018] FIG. 10 is side cross-sectional view through line 10--10 of one of the stationary cylinders of the game of FIG. 1, with one of the figures in a retracted position;

[0019] FIG. 11 is top view of one of the rotating cylinders of the game of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a return mechanism of the game of FIG.

[0021] FIG. 13 is block diagram of the electronic components of the game of FIG. 1; and

[0022] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a routine that may be performed during game play of the game of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.

[0024] It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a golf game 10 in accordance with the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the game 10 is configured to depict an elevated putting green having a hole or cup surrounded by a plurality of gopher holes each being occupied by a gopher. Initially, the gophers' heads are sticking up out of their holes such that the gophers obstruct the path to the cup. The gophers and gopher holes may be spaced to prevent the ball from reaching the cup while the gophers are sticking out of the holes, or spaced so that a putt struck at a given angle can pass between the gophers. To play the game 10, the participants take turns putting the ball at the green with the putter. The game 10 may play sounds simulating the gophers talking to the participants. When a putted ball hits the gopher with sufficient force, the gopher is dislodged and drops down into the corresponding hole. When a gopher is knocked down, a sound may be played to simulate the gopher in the hole, such as the sound of the gopher's voice enhanced with an accompanying echo.

[0026] The participants continue taking turns until one of the participants putts the ball into the cup and is awarded points. When the ball is putted into the cup, a switch in the cup may be closed, causing a motor within the game 10 to drive a ball return mechanism that ejects the ball from the cup and back toward the participants. The motor may also drive a mechanism to reset the gophers with their heads sticking out of their respective holes. The game is repeated until one of the participants attains a predetermined winning point total. While shown as being configured to depict a golf putting green, the game 10 may be configured to depict other sports. For example, the game 10 may be configured to depict a hockey rink or soccer field with defensemen and/or a goalie sticking up, and having a hockey puck or soccer ball that is projected toward a goal. Similarly, the game 10 may simulate other sports, games, or real and imaginary scenarios while implementing the game in accordance with the invention.

[0027] Returning to the illustrated embodiment, the golf game 10 may include a base 12 having a plurality of game FIGS. 14, 16, 18 disposed therein, a backboard 20 which may be attached at the rear of the base 12, a golf ball 22, and a golf club 24. The base 12 may contain the electronic components of the game 10, the configuration of one embodiment of which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 13, which is described below. The top surface of the base 12 may include a plurality of holes or receptacles 26-32 formed therein, with the receptacles 26-30 configured to receive the FIGS. 14-18, respectively. The receptacles 26-30 and the FIGS. 14-18, respectively, disposed therein may be configured such that the FIGS. 14-18 may occupy either a retracted position as illustrated for FIGS. 14 and 16, or an upwardly extended position as shown for FIG. 18 at a given point during game play. Configurations of the openings 14-18 and receptacles 26-30 will be described more thoroughly below. The receptacle 32 may be adapted to receive the golf ball 22 therein, and may include a ball drop switch 34 being positioned within the receptacle 32 so that the ball drop switch 34 is closed when the ball 22 putted into the receptacle 32, thereby allowing the game 10 to detect the presence of a golf ball 22 disposed therein. The closing of the ball drop switch 34 may cause the activation of a ball-return mechanism which may also be disposed within the receptacle 32. The base 12 may further include a speaker opening in the housing 38 of the base 12 being located proximate the position of a speaker enclosed within the housing 38, such that the sound from the speaker is audible to the participants playing the golf game 10.

[0028] During play of the golf game 10, the top surface of the base 12 may be elevated above the surface on which the base 12 is placed. In order to allow the ball 22 to roll from the surface on which the base 12 rests to the top surface of the housing 38, the golf game 10 may include a ramp over which the golf ball 22 may roll to get to the level of the top surface of the housing 38. In one embodiment, the ramp may include a plurality of sections 40-44 that may be interconnected to form a single continuous surface over which the golf ball 22 may roll. In order to connect the ramp sections 40-44 to the housing 38 of the base 12, the housing 38 may include a plurality of slots 46-50 along the outer surface of the housing 38 and into which edges 52-56 of the ramp sections 40-44, respectively, are inserted. In order to insure that the scams between the ramp sections 40-44 are aligned when the edges 53-36 are inserted into the slots 46-50, the ramp sections 40-44 may each include a plurality of tabs 58 that engage the lower surfaces of the adjacent ramp sections 40-44 to align the edges of the ramp sections 40-44 and provide a substantially continuous upper surface for the ramp.

[0029] As previously discussed, the backboard 20 may be attached to the rear of the base 12 and prevent a sharply struck golf ball 22 from traveling beyond the base 12. The backboard 20 may include a plurality of notches 60 and an opening 62, which are engaged by corresponding components on the rear surface of the housing 38 to attach the backboard 20 to the base 12. The backboard 20 may further include a cutout portion 64 to permit access by the participants to the power switch for the golf game 10. As seen from the rear in FIG. 2, the rear surface of the housing 38 may include a plurality of tabs 66, each corresponding to one of the notches 60 in the backboard 20, and a hook 68 corresponding to the opening 62. When the backboard 20 is attached to the housing 38, the notches 60 of the backboard 20 receive the corresponding tabs 66 of the housing 38 as the backboard 20 is pushed downwardly. When the bottom edge of the backboard 20 engages the bottoms of the tabs 66, the hook 68 is disposed within and extends through the opening 62 to prevent the backboard 20 from being lifted vertically out of the tab 66. In order to remove the backboard 20, the top of the backboard 20 must be pulled away from the housing 38 so that the opening 62 is clear of the hook 68 and the backboard 20 may be lifted out of engagement with the tabs 66. The cutout portion 64 is dimensioned so that a participant may operate a power switch 70 that is accessible through an opening 72 in the rear surface of the housing 38. The cutout portion 64 may also be dimensioned so that indicia 74 on the housing 38 indicating the positions of the power switch 70 are visible to the participants when the backboard 20 is attached to the housing 38.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 1, the golf club or putter 24 may be configured substantially similar to a real golf club and include a head portion 76, a handle portion 78, and a shaft portion 80. In order to facilitate packaging and game play, the club 24 may consist of two or more interconnected pieces, and include components that facilitate tracking the score of one of the participants. The shaft portion 80 of the club 24 may be divided into an upper portion 82 and a lower portion 84. The upper portion 82 may include a male connector 86 having a pair of prongs 88 with tabs 90 at the end. The lower portion 84 may include a corresponding female connector 92 into which the prongs 88 of the male connector 86 are inserted until the tabs 90 are disposed within openings 94 in the outer surface of the lower portion 84. Attached in this way, the prongs 88 of the upper portion 82 of the shaft 80 may be retained by the lower portion 84, and may be disengaged by pressing the tabs 90 inwardly until the tabs 90 are clear of the edges of the openings 94 such that the prongs 88 may be pulled out of the female connector 92. Tracking of a participant's score may be facilitated by indicia 96, such as numbers, on the outer surface of the upper portion 82 of the shaft 80, and a ring or slider 98 that is slidable on the outer surface of the shaft 80. The slider 98 may include an opening or window 100 through which one of the indicia 96 is visible to the participants. During the course of game play of the golf game 10, the participant may slide the slider 98 along the shaft portion 80 and into alignment with the indicia 96 as points are accumulated by the participant.

[0031] Turning now to FIG. 3, the base 12 of the golf game 10 is shown with the housing 38 removed to show the internal components of the base 12. The internal components are disposed on a bottom 102 of the base 12, which may have a plurality of anchor posts 104 that engage corresponding anchors on the interior surface of the housing 38 to attach the housing 38 to the bottom 102. The FIGS. 14-18 may be disposed within stationary cylinders 106-110 and rotating cylinders 112-116, respectively. The stationary cylinders 106-110 and the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be adapted so that the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be driven by a motor 118 such that the FIGS. 14-18 may be moved from the retracted position of FIGS. 14 and 16 to the upwardly extended position of FIG. 18 in a manner that is more fully described below. The base 12 further includes the lower portion 120 of the receptacle 32 into which the golf ball 22 is putted. As previously discussed, the ball drop switch 34 may be disposed within the receptacle 32. A ball-return mechanism disposed in the receptacle 32 may include a return arm 122 extending into the receptacle 32, and a gear 123 having a cam cylinder 124 disposed thereon that may be operatively connected to the return arm 122 and to the motor 118 to drive the ball-return mechanism in a manner which will be more fully described below. The base 112 may further include a controller 126 in the form of circuitry on printed circuit board 127 and powered by a power source 128, such as a battery pack, configured to control the operation of the components of the base 12. The base 12 may further include a speaker 130 operatively connected to the controller 126 for broadcasting sounds associated with the game play of the golf game 10.

[0032] The FIGS. 14-18, stationary cylinders 106-110, and rotating cylinders 112-116 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-10. For simplification and exemplary purposes, these components will be described with reference to FIG. 14, and the corresponding stationary cylinder 106 and rotating cylinder 112. Generally speaking, the components described for the exemplary FIG. 14 and cylinders 106 and 112 correspond to similar components in FIGS. 16 and 18, and cylinders 108, 110, 114 and 116, with any differences or potential differences or variations being noted where appropriate. Referring to FIG. 4, the FIG. 14 may include a body 132 disposed on the top surface of a base 134. The FIG. 14 may further include a pair of tabs 136 extending outwardly over a flat front edge 138 of the base 134, and a lift arm 140 extending outwardly from the front of the FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the FIG. 14 may further include an opening 142 in the bottom surface of the base 134, and a downwardly extending switch trigger member 144. The opening 142 may be useful in retaining the FIG. 14 in the upwardly extended position in a manner more fully described below, and the trigger member 144 may have use closing a drop switch disposed in the bottom of the stationary cylinder 106 during game play in a manner more fully described below.

[0033] Referring back to FIG. 4, the stationary cylinder 106 is generally cylindrical having a flat front wall 146 corresponding to the flat front edge 138 of the FIG. 14. The flat front wall 146 includes two cutout portions 148 proximate the top of the stationary cylinder 106 and corresponding to the tabs 136 extending from the FIG. 14. The tabs 136 and cutout portions 148 may be adapted such that the bottom surfaces of the tabs 136 may engage top edges 150 of the cutout portions 148 when the FIG. 14 is disposed proximate the top of the stationary cylinder 106. The stationary cylinder 106 may further include a vertical slot 152 in the flat front wall 146 through which the lift arm 140 of the FIG. 14 may extend when the FIG. 14 is disposed within the stationary cylinder 106.

[0034] The stationary cylinder 106 may further include a biasing arm 154 which may be seen more clearly in FIGS. 6-8. As shown in FIG. 6, the biasing arm 154 extends upwardly into the stationary cylinder 106 through an opening 156 in the bottom wall 158 of the stationary cylinder 106. The biasing arm 154 may be pivotally mounted on a shaft 160 retained by supports 162 extending downwardly from the bottom wall 158. Referring now to FIG. 7, the biasing arm 154 may include a hook portion 164 to which one end of a spring 166 may be attached, with the opposite end of the spring 166 being attached to a hook 168 extending downwardly from the bottom wall 158 of the stationary cylinder 106. The spring 166 may be in tension such that the spring 166 biases the biasing arm 154 to rotate counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 7 so that the top of the biasing arm 154 is biased towards the flat front wall 146 of the stationary cylinder 106. As is further shown in FIG. 8, the bottom wall 158 of the stationary cylinder 106 may further include a second opening 170 through which a drop switch 172 may be accessible from the interior of the stationary cylinder 106.

[0035] The upwardly extended and retracted positions of the FIG. 14 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Turning to FIG. 9, the FIG. 14 is disposed within the stationary cylinder 106 in the upwardly extended position with the lift arm 140 extending through the vertical slot 152. In order to place the FIG. 14 into the stationary cylinder 106, the biasing arm 154 may be rotated rearwardly with the upper end of the biasing arm 154 being inserted into the opening 142 in the base 134 of the FIG. 14. The FIG. 14 is retained in the upwardly extended position by disposing the FIG. 14 toward the flat front wall 146 of the stationary cylinder 106 with the tabs 136 engaging the top edges 150 of the flat front wall 146. The force exerted by the biasing arm 154 on the FIG. 14 maintains the engagement of the tabs 136 with the top edges 150 of the flat front wall 146 against the downward force of gravity. The FIG. 14 will remain in the upwardly extended position until a rearward force is exerted on the body 132 of the FIG. 14 that is sufficient to move the tabs 136 out of engagement with the top edges 150. Once the tabs 136 are out of engagement with the top edges 150, the FIG. 14 is free to drop within the stationary cylinder 106 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 10.

[0036] As the FIG. 14 falls to the retracted position, the drop switch 172 is closed to signal to the controller 126 that the FIG. 14 is disposed in the retracted position. The drop switch 172 may include an upper arm 174 having an impact member 176 disposed thereon, and a lower arm 178 having a contact 180 disposed thereon. When the FIG. 14 is in the upwardly extended position, the impact member 176 may be disposed within the opening 170 with the upper arm 174 being spaced from the contact 180 so that the drop switch 172 is open. When the FIG. 14 drops to the retracted position, the trigger member 144 may engage the impact member 176 to thereby cause the upper arm 174 to deflect downwardly into engagement with the contact 180, thereby closing the drop switch 172. While the drop switches 172 is illustrated herein as being a mechanical switch, it is contemplated that other types of switches which may be capable of detecting the disposition of the FIGS. 14-18 in the upwardly extended and retracted positions may be useful with a game 10 in accordance with the invention. For example, photosensitive switches in the form of optical sensors may be implemented to detect differences in the amount of light within the stationary cylinder 106 when the FIG. 14 is disposed in its alternative positions. Other types of switches, such as pressure sensors and displacement sensors, having use with the game 10 in accordance with the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 4, the rotating cylinder 112 may include a base 182 having an opening 184 on which the stationary cylinder 106 and FIG. 14 are disposed. The opening 184 in the base 182 may facilitate the positioning of the drop switch 172 therein, and thereby facilitate access to the drop switch 172 through the opening 170 in the bottom wall 158 of the stationary cylinder 106. The wall of the rotating cylinder 112 may constitute a camming surface engaging the lift arm 140 of the FIG. 14 to move the FIG. 14 from the retracted position of FIG. 10 to the upwardly extended position of FIG. 9 as the rotating cylinder 112 is driven by the motor 118. The first portion of the rotating cylinder 112 may have a lower horizontal edge 186 disposed proximate the base 182 of the rotating cylinder 112. The lower horizontal edge 186 is disposed at the bottom of or below the bottom of the lift arm 140 when the FIG. 14 is disposed in the retracted position such that movement of the lower horizontal edge 186 past the lift arm 140 will not cause upward movement of the FIG. 14. The second portion of the rotating cylinder 112 may have an inclined surface 188 beginning at the lower horizontal edge 186 and rising upwardly away from the base 182 and terminating at an upper horizontal edge 190 of the rotating cylinder 112. At the point where the inclined 188 meets the upper horizontal edge 190, the inclined surface 188 may terminate in a peak 192 above the level of the upper horizontal edge 190. As the cylinder 112 rotates, the inclined edge 188 engages the lift arm 140 of the FIG. 14 to cause the FIG. 14 to move upwardly within the stationary cylinder 106. When the peak 192 approaches the lift arm 140, the FIG. 14 is raised high enough for the tabs 136 to clear the upper edges 150, with the forward force of the biasing arm 154 causing the tabs 136 to move forward and be disposed on the top edges 150. As previously described, in this position the force of the biasing arm 154 on the FIG. 14 retains the FIG. 14 in the upwardly extended position.

[0038] As the rotating cylinder 112 continues rotating, the peak 192 passes the lift arm 140 with the trailing edge of the peak 192 descending to the level of the upper horizontal edge 190. The upper horizontal edge 190 is disposed at the bottom of or below the lift arm 140 when the FIG. 14 is in the upwardly extended position. The upper horizontal edge 190 extends around the top of the rotating cylinder 112 to a fourth portion having an uneven edge 194 including a plurality of upwardly extended teeth 196. The teeth 196 may extend upwardly whereby the teeth engage the lift arm 140 without causing the tabs 136 to disengage from the top edges 150 and drop to the retracted position. As the uneven edge 194 rotates passed the lift arm 140, the teeth 196 engage the lift arm 140 to cause the FIG. 14 to move while in the upwardly extended position. The movement of the FIG. 14 may be adapted to simulate movement of the FIG. 14 consistent with the theme of the game 10. While the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be generally configured as described above, the specific configurations of the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be varied to enhance game play. For example, the lengths of the lower and upper horizontal edges 186 and 190 about the circumferences of the cylinders 112-116 may be varied so that the FIGS. 14-18 are moved to their upwardly extended positions either simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence.

[0039] At the start of a game on the game 10, the controller 126 activates the motor 118 to drive the rotating cylinders 112-116 through one complete rotation to set the FIGS. 14-18 in the upwardly extended position. As shown in FIG. 11, the duration of the activation of the motor 118 to drive the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be controlled by a rotation limit switch 198 and camming surface 200 on the rotating cylinder 112. The base 182 of the rotating cylinder 112 may include a gear 202 disposed on the bottom surface of the base 182. The teeth of the gear 182 may mesh with the teeth of a drive gear 204 that is operatively coupled to the motor 118 by an intermediate gear train (not shown). The rotation limit switch 198 may be connected to the controller 126, and may be similar to the drop switch 172 having an upper arm 174 with an impact member 176, and a lower arm 178 with a contact 180 so that the switches closed when the upper arm 174 engages the contact 180. The camming surface 200 may be disposed on the outer surface of the base 182.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, the motor 118 will cause the drive gear 204 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, thereby causing the rotating cylinder 112 to rotate in a clockwise direction as indicated by the arrows. At the point of the rotation shown, the impact member 176 is coming into engagement with a leading edge 206 of the camming surface 200. As the leading edge 206 engages the impact member 176, the upper arm 174 deflects into contact with the contact 180, thereby closing the switch 198. The controller 126 may detect the closing of the rotation limit switch 198, which may cause the controller 126 to cause other components of the game 10 to perform functions. For example, the controller 126 may cause the speaker 130 to broadcast sound indicative of the beginning of a new round of the game 10. The motor 118 may continue to drive the rotating cylinder 112 as a trailing edge 208 of the camming surface 200 approaches the impact member 176 of the rotation limit switch 198. When the trailing edge 208 rotates passed the impact member 176, the upper arm 174 deflects back towards its normal open position and out of contact with the contact 80, thereby opening the rotation limit switch 198. The controller 126 may detect the opening of the rotation limit switch 198 and the controller may respond by deactivating the motor 118. When the motor 118 is deactivated, the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be positioned with the lower horizontal edges 186 disposed beneath the lift arms 140 of the FIGS. 14-18 so that the FIGS. 14-18 are free to drop from their upwardly extended positions to their retracted positions when their tabs 136 are disengaged from the edges 150 of the stationary cylinders 106-110, respectively.

[0041] As previously discussed, the ball receptacle 32 may have a ball-return mechanism disposed therein. Referring to FIG. 12, the ball-return mechanism may include the return arm 122 that is engaged by the return arm cam 124 disposed on the gear 123. The return arm 122 may be mounted on a shaft 210 that is anchored to the bottom 102 of the base 12 by supports (not shown), and include a catch portion 212 disposed within the ball receptacle 32. The ball-return mechanism may further include a post 214 extending upwardly from one of the anchor posts 104 through a hole 216 in the return arm 122. The post 214 may have a spring 218 disposed thereon and a washer 220 attached to the top of the post 214 by a screw or bolt 222. The spring 218 may be precompressed such that the spring 218 exerts a downward force on the return arm 122 tending to rotate the catch portion 212 upwardly within the ball receptacle 32.

[0042] The return mechanism may be positioned to receive a golf ball 22 deposited in the ball receptacle 32. When the ball 22 drops into the receptacle 32, the ball 22 engages the ball drop switch 34 to close the switch 34. The controller 126 may detect the closing of the switch 34 and activate the motor 118 to drive the gear 123 along with the rotating cylinders 112-116. The gear 123 is driven in the direction of the arrow with a trailing edge 224 approaching the return arm 122. When the trailing edge 224 rotates passed the return arm 122, the spring 218 thrusts the follower end 226 of the return arm 122 downwardly toward the lower edge of the cam 124 and, correspondingly, thrusts the catch portion 212 upwardly to project the ball 22 out of the receptacle 32 and back towards the participants. The motor 118 continues to drive the gear 123 and thereby reset the return mechanism as the cam 124 rotates the follower end 226 upwardly. The gear trains connecting the gear 123 and the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be configured such that one full rotation of the rotating cylinders 112-116 corresponds to one full rotation of the gear 123.

[0043] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a number of components that may be incorporated into the golf game 10. Referring to FIG. 13, the golf game 10 may include the controller 126 implemented on the circuit board 127 and containing the game logic and sound generation data implemented via circuitry contained on the conventional printed circuit board 127, with the game execution logic and sound generation data being stored directly on the printed circuit board 127. It should also be appreciated that although the controller 126 may be implemented on the printed circuit board 127, more complex implementations of the golf game 10 may be implemented wherein the controller 126 may comprise, among other components, a program memory, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP), a random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and an input/output (I/O) circuit, all of which may be interconnected. It should be appreciated that the controller 126 may include multiple microprocessors. Similarly, the memory of the controller 126 may include multiple RAMs and multiple program memories, depending on the complexity and requirements of a specific implementation. It should also be appreciated that the I/O circuit may include a number of different types of I/O circuits, such as sound generation circuits, video generation circuit, odor generation circuitry, and the like. The RAM(s), ROM(s) and program memories may be implemented as semi-conductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example.

[0044] FIG. 13 illustrates that the controller 126 may be operatively coupled to drop switches 172, 230 and 232 disposed within the receptacles 26-30, respectively, the power switch 70, the ball drop switch 34, the rotation limit switch 198, the motor 118, and the speaker 130, each of those components being so coupled via a respective direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. In addition, the power switch 70 is operatively coupled to the power source 128. When the power switch 70 is in the power-on position, the power source 128 provides power to the controller 126, circuitry and other components. Input signals produced by the switches 34, 172, 198, 230 and 232 are output to the controller 126 for processing the game execution logic. Depending on the processing performed, the circuitry of the controller 126 generates and outputs sound generation signals to the speaker 130, wherein the speaker 130 translates the output signals into sounds which can be heard by the participants of the golf game 10. The general and specific technologies relating to electronic sound generation circuitry, and the software required to run such devices, are well-known to those skilled in the electronic and software arts, and therefore the specific details of the digital processing and memory portions of such circuitry, and the specific details of any software required for the specific application will not be described further herein. Signals from the switches 34, 70 and 198 may cause the circuitry of the controller 126 to activate and deactivate the motor 118 as described more fully herein.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main game-play routine 300 that may be stored in the memory of the controller 126. Referring to FIG. 14, the main game-play routine 300 may begin operation at a block 302 wherein one of the participants may turn on the power to the golf game 10 by moving the power switch 70 to the power-on position. After the power switch 70 is set to the power-on position, control passes to a block 304 where the golf game 10 may be initialized to begin game play. During the initialization of the golf game 10, the controller 126 may activate the motor 118 to rotate the rotating cylinders 112-116 and, consequently, move any of the FIGS. 14-18 disposed in the retracted position to the upwardly extending position. As previously discussed, the edges 186, 188, 190 and 194 of the rotating cylinders 112-116 may be configured such that each of the FIGS. 14-18 moves from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position in a predetermined sequence during the initialization process. While the motor 118 drives the rotating cylinders 112-116, the controller 126 may transmit output signals to the speaker 130 causing the speaker 130 to play an opening statement or other sounds indicating the start of the golf game 10. For example, as each of the FIGS. 14-18 moves to the upwardly extended position, the controller 126 may transmit signals that cause the speaker 130 to broadcast a verbal message introducing the corresponding one of the FIGS. 14-18 to the participants. As the rotating cylinders 112-116 are being driven, the motor 118 may also drive the gear 123 and cam 124 to activate the ball-return mechanism and eject any ball 22 that may be disposed within the receptacle 32 at the time the power switch 70 is moved to the power-on position. As the rotating cylinders 112-116 continue to be driven by the motor 118, the trailing edge 208 of the cam surface 200 approaches the rotation limit switch 198 which has been closed by the leading edge 206 of the cam surface 200. When the trailing edge 208 moves passed the impact member 176 of the rotation limit switch 198, the opening of the switch 198 is detected by the controller 126, which in turn deactivates the motor 118, thereby stopping the rotating cylinders 112-116 and the gear 123. At this point, the golf game 10 may be ready for the participants to begin putting the golf ball 22 toward the base 12 using the club 24.

[0046] Once the golf game 10 is initialized, and the participants have been prompted to putt the golf ball 22 towards the base 12, the controller 126 may set a timer for a predetermined time period within which a participant is required to knock down one of the FIGS. 14-16 and close one of the drop switches 172, 230, 232, respectively, or to putt the ball 22 into the receptacle 32 and close the ball drop switch 34. If the timer times out at a block 306 without the participant closing one of the switches 34, 172, 230 or 232, control may pass to a block 308 wherein the controller 126 may transmit output signals to the speaker 130 causing the speaker 130 to re-prompt the participants to putt the golf ball 22 toward the base 12. The prompting message broadcast over the speaker 130 may be adapted to be consistent with the general theme of the game 10. For example, if the FIGS. 14-18 are configured with the appearance of gophers, the prompting messages may simulate encouraging or taunting messages in voices that are unique to each of the FIGS. 14-18. Moreover, the controller 126 may transmit different output signals to the speaker 130 based on the status of the drop switches 172, 230 and 232. For example, if the FIG. 14 is in the retracted position as shown in FIG. 1, the controller 126 may be configured to detect the closing of the drop switch 172 and to transmit output signals to the speaker 130 that simulate the gopher of FIG. 14 speaking from within the receptacle 26, such as with an echo. Alternatively, where the FIG. 18 is in the upwardly extended position as shown in FIG. 1, the controller 126 may be configured to detect that the drop switch 232 is open and to transmit output signals to the speaker 130 to simulate the gopher of FIG. 18 speaking while sticking its head out of the receptacle 30.

[0047] Eventually, a participant will putt the golf ball 22 toward the base 12 at a block 310. If the putted ball 22 does not cause one of the switches 34, 172, 230 or 232 to be closed, the timer may time out at a block 312 and control may pass to a block 314 to reprompt the participants in a similar manner as described for block 308. If one of the switches 34, 172, 230 and 232 is closed, control passes to a block 316 wherein the controller 126 may determine which of the switches 34, 172, 230 and 232 has been closed. If one of the drop switches 172, 230 or 232 has been closed by the putted ball 22 impacting one of the FIGS. 14-18 such that the one of the FIGS. 14-18 drops to its retracted position and closes the corresponding drop switch 172, 230 or 232, the controller 126 may transmit output signals to the speaker 130 causing the speaker 130 to play a sound corresponding to the one of the FIGS. 14-18 being knocked down. After the knock-down sound is played at the speaker 130, the controller 126 may reset the timer and evaluate that status of the timer at block 306.

[0048] If none of the drop switches 172, 230 and 232 has been closed, control passes to a block 320 wherein the controller 126 may transmit output signals to the speaker 130, causing the speaker 130 to play a sound characteristic of holing out the putt. The controller 126 may be programmed to cause the speaker 130 to play the same sound each time the ball drop switch 34 closes, or it plays different sounds depending on how many FIGS. 14-18 are disposed in the retracted position as determined by the number of the figure drop switches 172, 230 and 232 that are closed. For example, if none of the figure drop switches 172, 230 and 232 are closed, the controller 126 may cause the speaker 130 to play a sound corresponding to the participant putting the ball 22 in the receptacle 32 on the first putt. Conversely, if all the figure drop switches 172, 230 and 232 are closed, the speaker 130 may play a sound indicative of the numerous attempts required by the participant to putt the ball 22 into the receptacle 32. The speaker 130 may also play a different sound if one or two of the figure drop switches 172, 230 and 232 are closed. When the ball 22 has been holed-out by a participant putting the ball 22 into the receptacle 32, and the corresponding sound has been broadcast at block 320, control passes back to the block 304 to perform the initialization of the golf game 10 in preparation for the participants playing the next round of the game. The steps of the routine may continue to be executed until a participant moves the power switch 70 to the power-off position.

[0049] While the game 10 is illustrated in the drawing figures and disclosed herein as being an electronic golf game having a plurality of gopher figures extending out of gopher holes, it will be understood that the game 10 may have any configuration wherein a plurality of figures extend upwardly from receptacles within a base of the game with a separate receptacle being provided into which a projected game piece is intended to be deposited. For example, while the game is being disclosed as being an electronic game, the game may be manually operated wherein the participants move the figures between the retracted position and the upwardly extended position either by grasping and moving the figures, or by inverting the base of the game to allow the figures to move from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position. Moreover, the game 10 may be configured to simulate other sports or games in which a projected game piece is deposited in a receptacle, such as hockey, baseball, basketball, shuffleboard, and the like, with the figures being configured to correspond to the theme of the selected sport or game.

Claims

1. An electronic game wherein participants take turns projecting a ball in an attempt to put the ball in a hole, the electronic game comprising:

a ball;

a plurality of game figures; and

a base comprising:

a plurality of first receptacles disposed in an upper surface of the base, each first receptacle being adapted to receive one of the game figures and to retain the corresponding figure alternately in an upwardly extended position and in a retracted position;

a figure lift mechanism being adapted to move the plurality of game figures from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position;

a plurality of figure drop switches, each figure drop switch being disposed within one of the first receptacles and having a first figure state when the corresponding one of the game figures is disposed in the upwardly extended position and a second figure state when the corresponding one of the game figures is disposed in the retracted position;

a second receptacle adapted to receive the ball;

a ball drop switch disposed within the second receptacle and having a first ball state when the ball is not disposed in the second receptacle and a second ball state when the ball is disposed in the second receptacle;

a ball return mechanism disposed within the second receptacle and being adapted to project the ball disposed in the second receptacle from the second receptacle;

a motor operatively connected to the figure lift mechanism and to the ball return mechanism;

a speaker being adapted to output sounds; and

a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of figure drop switches, the ball drop switch, the motor and the speaker,

the controller being programmed to detect the first and the second ball states of the ball drop switch,

the controller being programmed to activate the motor to drive the lift mechanism and the ball return mechanism upon detecting the second ball state of the ball drop switch,

the controller being programmed to detect the first and the second figure states of the plurality of figure drop switches,

the controller being programmed to cause the speaker to output a first prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the upwardly extended position when the controller detects the corresponding one of the game figure drop switches having the first figure state, and

the controller being programmed to cause the speaker to output a second prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the retracted position when the controller detects the corresponding one of the game figure drop switches having the second figure state.

2. An electronic game as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball drop switch and the plurality of figure drop switches comprise an optical sensor.

3. An electronic game as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball drop switch and the plurality of figure drop switches comprise a pressure sensor.

4. An electronic game as defined in claim 1, wherein the ball drop switch and the plurality of figure drop switches comprise a displacement sensor.

5. An electronic game as defined in claim 1, wherein the first prompt sound and the second prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures are distinct from the first prompt sounds and the second prompt sounds corresponding to the other of the game figures.

6. An electronic game as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to cause the speaker to output one of the first prompt sounds and the second prompt sounds after a predetermined period of time in which all of the figure drop switches and the ball drop switch do not change states.

7. An electronic game as defined in claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to cause the speaker to output an end-of-game sound upon detecting the second ball state of the ball drop switch.

8. An electronic game as defined in claim 7, wherein the end-of-game sound output by the speaker corresponds to the number of figure drop switches detected by the controller to be in the second figure state.

9. An amusement game for use by at least one game participant, comprising:

a game piece adapted to be projected by the at least one participant;

a plurality of game figures; and

a game base comprising:

a plurality of first receptacles disposed in an upper surface of the game base, each first receptacle being adapted to receive one of the game figures and to retain the corresponding figure alternately in an upwardly extended position and in a retracted position, and

a second receptacle adapted to receive the game piece,

wherein each of the plurality of game figures is adapted to engage the corresponding one of the plurality of first receptacles when the game figure is disposed in the upwardly extended position such that the game figure disengages from the corresponding one of the plurality of first receptacles and moves to the retracted position when the game figure is impacted by the projected game piece.

10. An amusement game as defined in claim 9, wherein the game base further comprises a figure lift mechanism being adapted to move the plurality of game figures from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position.

11. An amusement game as defined in claim 10, wherein each of the game figures includes a body, a figure base disposed at the bottom of the body, a tab extending outwardly from the body and the figure base, and a lift arm extending outwardly from the body and the figure base, and the figure lift mechanism comprises:

a hollow stationary cylinder having a top edge and a vertical slot, one of the game figures being disposed within the stationary cylinder with the lift arm extending outwardly from the stationary cylinder through the vertical slot, and wherein the tab engages the top edge when the game figure is disposed in the upwardly extended position to retain the game figure in the upwardly extend position, and

a hollow rotatable cylinder having an inclined surface, the one of the game figures and the stationary cylinder being disposed within the rotatable cylinder, the inclined surface being adapted to engage the lift arm to cause the game figure to move from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position when the rotatable cylinder rotates.

12. An amusement game as defined in claim 11, wherein the game base further comprises a motor operatively connected to the figure lift mechanism and being adapted to rotate the rotating cylinder.

13. An amusement game as defined in claim 9, wherein the game base further comprises a game piece return mechanism disposed within the second receptacle and being adapted to project the game piece disposed in the second receptacle from the second receptacle.

14. An amusement game as defined in claim 13, wherein the game piece return mechanism comprises:

a return arm pivotally mounted to the game base and having return end disposed within the second receptacle and a cam follower end disposed at the opposite end of the return arm as the return end,

a spring engaging the return arm and biasing the return arm to rotate in a direction whereby the return end moves upwardly and the cam follower end moves downwardly; and

a gear having a cam disposed thereon, the cam having an upper edge engaging the cam follower end of the return arm to elevate the cam follower end from a minimum elevation to a maximum elevation as the gear rotates in a first direction, and wherein the biasing force of the spring thrusts the cam follower end downwardly when a trailing edge of the cam rotates past the cam follower end.

15. An amusement game as defined in claim 14, wherein the game base further comprises a motor operatively connected to the gear and being adapted to cause the gear to rotate in the first direction.

16. An amusement game as defined in claim 9, wherein the game base further comprises:

a plurality of figure drop switches, each figure drop switch being disposed within one of the first receptacles and having a first figure state when the corresponding one of the game figures is disposed in the upwardly extended position and a second figure state when the corresponding one of the game figures is disposed in the retracted position;

a speaker being adapted to output sounds; and

a controller operatively coupled to the plurality of figure drop switches and the speaker,

the controller being programmed to detect the first and the second figure states of the plurality of figure drop switches,

the controller being programmed to cause the speaker to output a first prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the upwardly extended position when the controller detects the corresponding one of the game figure drop switches having the first figure state, and

the controller being programmed to cause the speaker to output a second prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the retracted position when the controller detects the corresponding one of the game figure drop switches having the second figure state.

17. An amusement game as defined in claim 9, wherein the game base further comprises:

a figure lift mechanism being adapted to move the plurality of game figures from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position; a game piece drop switch disposed within the second receptacle and having a first game piece state when the game piece is not disposed in the second receptacle and a second game piece state when the game piece is disposed in the second receptacle;

a motor operatively connected to the figure lift mechanism; and

a controller operatively coupled to the game piece drop switch and the motor,

the controller being programmed to detect the first and the second game piece states of the game piece drop switch, and

the controller being programmed to activate the motor to drive the lift mechanism upon detecting the second game piece state of the game piece drop switch.

18. An amusement game as defined in claim 9, wherein the game base further comprises:

a game piece drop switch disposed within the second receptacle and having a first game piece state when the game piece is not disposed in the second receptacle and a second game piece state when the game piece is disposed in the second receptacle;

a game piece return mechanism disposed within the second receptacle and being adapted to project the game piece disposed in the second receptacle from the second receptacle;

a motor operatively connected to the game piece return mechanism; and

a controller operatively coupled to the game piece drop switch and the motor,

the controller being programmed to detect the first and the second game piece states of the game piece drop switch,

the controller being programmed to activate the motor to drive the game piece return mechanism upon detecting the second ball state of the game piece drop switch.

19. An amusement game as defined in claim 9, wherein the game base further comprises:

a game piece drop switch disposed within the second receptacle and having a first game piece state when the game piece is not disposed in the second receptacle and a second game piece state when the game piece is disposed in the second receptacle, a speaker being adapted to output sounds; and

a controller operatively coupled to the game piece drop switch and the speaker,

the controller being programmed to detect the first and the second game piece states of the game piece drop switch, and

the controller being programmed to cause the speaker to output an end-of-game sound when the controller detects the game piece drop switch having the second game piece state.

20. An amusement game as defined in claim 19, wherein the end-of-game sound output by the speaker corresponds to the number of game figures being disposed in the retracted position.

21. A method of game play for an electronic game wherein participants attempt to project a game piece into a first receptacle in a base of the electronic game, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of game figures and a plurality of second receptacles adapted to receive one of the game figures, the game figures being disposed in an upwardly extended position within the second receptacles;

prompting a participant to project the game piece toward the first receptacle;

determining whether the projected game piece engaged one of the game figures such that the game figure moved from the upwardly extended position to a retracted position within the corresponding second receptacle;

outputting a knocked down figure sound corresponding to the one of the game figures engaged by the projected game piece and moved to the retracted position after determining that the one of the game figures was engaged by the game piece;

determining whether the projected game piece is disposed within the first receptacle; and

outputting an end-of-round sound after determining that the game piece is disposed in the first receptacle.

22. A method of game play for an electronic game as defined in claim 21, further comprising ejecting the game piece from the first receptacle after determining that the game piece is disposed in the first receptacle.

23. A method of game play for an electronic game as defined in claim 21, further comprising moving at least one of the game figures from the retracted position to the upwardly extended position after determining that the game piece is disposed in the first receptacle.

24. A method of game play for an electronic game as defined in claim 21, further comprising:

determining that a predetermined amount of time has elapsed without any of the game figures moving from the upwardly extended position to the retracted position and without the game piece being disposed in the first receptacle; and

re-prompting a participant to project the game piece toward the first receptacle after determining that the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

25. A method of game play for an electronic game as defined in claim 24, further comprising;

determining that one of the game figures is disposed in the upwardly extending position after determining that the predetermined amount of time has elapsed; and

outputting a first prompt sound corresponding to the one of the game figures being disposed in the upwardly extended position after determining that the one of the game figures is disposed in the upwardly extended position.

26. A method of game play for an electronic game as defined in claim 24, further comprising;

determining that one of the game figures is disposed in the retracted position after determining that the predetermined amount of time has elapsed; and

outputting a second prompt sound corresponding to one of the game figures being disposed in the retracted position after determining that the one of the game figures is disposed in the retracted position.