DESKTOP BOWLING GAME

Abstract

A desktop bowling game is provided including bowling pins having metal that is attractable by magnets located at a base of each bowling pin, a ball, a main unit having a playing board having a surface with position markers for setup of the pins, and a pin reset mechanism, located below the playing board. The pin reset mechanism includes a sliding plate that slides up and down beneath the playing board between a first, up position immediately below and adjacent to the playing board to a second, down position away from the playing board. Magnets are disposed on the sliding plate adjacent to the playing board and adjacent to the position markers of the playing board.

Description

This invention is directed to a desktop game. More particularly, this invention is directed to a desktop bowling game device.

Bowling is an indoor sport activity. The primitive forms of bowling originally came from Germany, but it was later established as a sport in the United States. Modern bowling centers have automatic apparatus, controlled by computer systems, for resetting pins that have been knocked down. This provides for a nice, relaxed, leisure place for entertainment by players. The playing of bowling is not affected by outdoor factors such as season and weather. Enthusiasts may play the game regardless of weather conditions.

The advantages of bowling are numerous, including:

1) it is exciting to see the pins falling down after been struck by a ball;

2) bowling is for people of all ages; everyone can enjoy it;

3) bowling eliminates stress; and

4) bowling offers exercise.

Most importantly, bowling offers exercise as well as relaxing entertainment.

However, bowling can be expensive to play due to high bowling center facility costs and high equipment costs. Many people cannot afford to play. As such, the popularity of the game is somewhat diminished, and relatively few bowling centers are built. Today, bowling game centers are mainly built in well developed cities of relatively high economic strength. Only those with sufficient disposable income bowl often. Fewer bowling centers are built in smaller cities and in economically poor regions. Many people have no opportunity to go to bowling centers in that it is a game for those having sufficient wealth. Some people only watch bowling on television. The present invention assists in bringing the sport to everyone, not just to those who can afford it. Finally, since people must specifically go to a bowling center to go bowling, it can also often be inconvenient for those living far from a bowling center.

An existing desktop bowling game (also called table top bowling) has similar play rules to billiards. Here, a rod (such as a pool cue) is used to hit the ball to collide with other balls. This is very different than a traditional bowling game. The table top for this type of bowling game must be very large. In general, these types of games must be installed at a fixed location. Thus, usage is inconvenient and it is impossible to bring the game along for playing anywhere at any time.

Desirable features of a desktop bowling game would include a simple and reliable structure that is portable and convenient, and that is realistic and entertaining.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to a bowling game device, which includes a main unit, a playing board, a launcher with a ball groove, a plurality of bowling pins and a ball, the ball being preferably made from steel. The playing board is assembled with and integral to the main unit. A pin retaining pocket, formed by the playing board and the main unit, allows space for catching the pins when they are knocked down by the ball. The surface of the playing board has markers marking the position for the standing bowling pins. The launcher is separate and unattached to the main unit and is free to move on the surface of the playing board.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and reliable structure, that is convenient, portable, realistic and entertaining. Based on these goals, an automatic pin reset mechanism to assist in resetting the pins is integral to the present device. The pin reset mechanism utilizes metal, attractable by magnets at the bottom of the pins. An up and down movement of the magnetic pin reset mechanism, assists in resetting the pins at marked bowling pin positions on playing board of the main unit. The magnetic pin reset mechanism includes a housing, a sliding plate, a cam shaft, and one or more compression springs. Magnets, preferably ten, are installed into the sliding plate to attract the metal in the bowling pins. Each magnet's position corresponds with a standard configured bowling pin position markers on the main unit's surface. A cam shaft and compression spring are installed between the sliding plate and the housing. Both ends of the cam shaft have a symmetrical cam. One side of the cam shaft has a lock for locking the housing. By rotating the cam shaft together with the cam and the compression spring, the sliding plate is caused to move up and down inside the housing, thereby providing magnetic forces to the surface of the playing board, located on the housing.

When the game starts, a knob disposed on the camshaft is turned to its upright position such that cam shaft allows the compression spring to move upward, pushing the magnets on the slide plate into a position under the surface of the playing board such that the magnets attract the metal in the pins to assist in setting up the pins. The strong magnetic forces on the surface of the playing board make the pins stand upright at a correct fixed position, and assists in preventing the pins from tipping over. That is, the metal in the bowling pins is attracted by the magnets in the pin reset mechanism through the playing board. When the knob of the camshaft is turned to a horizontal position (the cam locks the camshaft into position so the sliding plate does not return to its position directly below the surface of the playing board), the magnets in the pin reset mechanism move far enough below the surface to remove any substantial magnetic forces from the bowling pins, thereby allowing the pins to be knocked down by the ball and fall into the pin retaining pocket.

In the present invention, a desktop bowling game is provided, including a plurality of bowling pins at least partially comprising metal that is attractable by magnets, the metal located at a base of each bowling pin, a ball, a main unit comprising a playing board having a surface with position markers for setup of the pins, and a pin reset mechanism located below the playing board. The pin reset mechanism includes a sliding plate that slides up and down beneath the playing board between a first, up position immediately below and adjacent to the playing board to a second, down position away from the playing board. The pin reset mechanism further includes a plurality of magnets disposed on the sliding plate adjacent to the playing board and adjacent to the position markers of the playing board.

The pin reset mechanism may further include a cam shaft having at least one cam to engage the sliding plate to move the sliding plate up and down relative to the playing board upon rotation of the cam shaft.

The desktop bowling game may further include a pin retaining pocket to provide space for retaining the pins when the pins are knocked down by the ball. The pin reset mechanism may include at least one compression spring to urge the sliding plate towards the playing board. The ball is preferably a steel ball. The plurality of pins preferably includes ten pins.

In a more detailed embodiment of the present invention, a desktop bowling game is provided which includes a plurality of bowling pins at least partially comprising metal that is attractable by magnets where the metal is located at a base of each bowling pin. The game includes a ball and a main unit having a playing board having a surface with position markers for setup of the pins. The game further includes a pin reset mechanism, located below the playing board that includes a sliding plate that slides up and down beneath the playing board between a first, up position immediately below and adjacent to the playing board to a second, down position away from the playing board. A cam shaft is provided having at least one cam to engage the sliding plate to move the sliding plate up and down relative to the playing board upon rotation of the cam shaft. The pin reset mechanism further includes a plurality of magnets disposed on the sliding plate adjacent to the playing board and adjacent to the position markers of the playing board. At least one compression spring is provided to urge the sliding plate towards the playing board.

The desktop may further include a pin retaining pocket to provide space for retaining the pins when the pins are knocked down by the ball. The ball is preferably a steel ball. The plurality of pins preferably includes ten pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the desktop bowling game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is cross sectional view of the desktop bowling game of FIG. 1, taken substantially along lines A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a pin reset mechanism of the desktop bowling game of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an isometric, exploded view of the pin reset mechanism of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following embodiment, but it should be understood that the present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto.

Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like part numbers refer to like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a desktop bowling game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The desktop bowling game includes a main unit 1, having a playing board 2, a launcher 3 with a ball groove 31, bowling pins 4 (preferably ten), and a ball 6 (preferably made from steel). The playing board 2 is assembled and is integral with the main unit 1. Pin retaining pocket 11 is formed by the playing board 2 in combination with the main unit 1 and allows for space for catching the pins 4 when they are knocked down by the ball 6. The surface of the playing board 2 is marked with standard bowling pin positions, e.g., a traditional triangle distribution of four, three, two and one pins 4, by bowling pin markings 21. The launcher 3 can be moved along the surface of the playing board 2. To further enhance the realistic feel and the fun of the game, the pins 4 can stand up in the correct position automatically. The bowling pins 4 contain metal, such as metal pins 41 at their base (see FIG. 2). This further achieves the purpose of the invention. An up and down moving pin reset mechanism 5 is positioned under the bowling pin markings 21 of the playing board 2 on the main unit 1, as mentioned above.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, the magnetic pin reset mechanism 5 includes a housing 51, a sliding plate 52, cam shaft 53, and compression spring 54. Magnets 55, preferably ten, corresponding to the bowling pin markings 21 are disposed on the sliding plate 52 which are located under the bowling pin markings 21 for attracting the metal pins 41 of the bowling pins 4. Each magnet 55 position is associated with the standard bowling pin position markings 21. The cam shaft 53 and compression spring 54 are installed between the sliding plate 52 and housing 51. Both ends of the cam shaft 53 have a symmetrical cam 56. One side of the cam shaft 53 has a lock 57 for locking the housing 51. By rotation of the cam shaft 53, together with the cam 56 and the compression spring 54, the action causes the sliding plate 52 to move up and down.

Sliding plate 52 and magnets 55 are disposed on the bottom of the playing board under the bowling pin markings 21. When the handle of the camshaft is turned to its up (vertical) position and disposed against the bottom of the playing board 2, strong magnetic forces are present on the top of the playing board 2. This provides assistance for the pins 3 to stand straight up and in proper, fixed position. When the handle of the cam shaft 53 is turned to its down (horizontal) position, the cam shaft 53 is locked with the sliding plate 52 such that the magnets 55 are disposed away from the playing board 2 and remain that way until the knob is released. The magnets 55 are sufficiently far from the playing board 2 to remove any substantial magnetic pull.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1. A desktop bowling game, comprising

(a) a plurality of bowling pins at least partially comprising metal that is attractable by magnets, said metal located at a base of each bowling pin;

(b) a ball;

(c) a main unit comprising a playing board having a surface with position markers for setup of the pins; and

(d) a pin reset mechanism, located below the playing board, said pin reset mechanism comprising: a sliding plate that slides up and down beneath the playing board between a first, up position immediately below and adjacent to the playing board to a second, down position away from the playing board; and (ii) a plurality of magnets disposed on the sliding plate adjacent to the playing board and adjacent to the position markers of the playing board.

2. The desktop bowling game of claim 1, wherein the pin reset mechanism further includes a cam shaft having at least one cam to engage the sliding plate to move the sliding plate up and down relative to the playing board upon rotation of the cam shaft.

3. The desktop bowling game of claim 1, further including a pin retaining pocket to provide space for retaining the pins when the pins are knocked down by the ball.

4. The desktop bowling game of claim 1, wherein the pin reset mechanism includes at least one compression spring to urge the sliding plate towards the playing board.

5. The desktop bowling game of claim 1, wherein the ball is a steel ball.

6. The desktop bowling game of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pins includes ten pins.

7. A desktop bowling game, comprising

(a) a plurality of bowling pins at least partially comprising metal that is attractable by magnets, said metal located at a base of each bowling pin;

(b) a ball;

(c) a main unit comprising a playing board having a surface with position markers for setup of the pins; and

(d) a pin reset mechanism, located below the playing board, said pin reset mechanism comprising: (i) a sliding plate that slides up and down beneath the playing board between a first, up position immediately below and adjacent to the playing board to a second, down position away from the playing board; (ii) a cam shaft having at least one cam to engage the sliding plate to move the sliding plate up and down relative to the playing board upon rotation of the cam shaft; (iii) a plurality of magnets disposed on the sliding plate adjacent to the playing board and adjacent to the position markers of the playing board; and (iv) at least one compression spring to urge the sliding plate towards the playing board.

8. The desktop bowling game of claim 7, further including a pin retaining pocket to provide space for retaining the pins when the pins are knocked down by the ball.

9. The desktop bowling game of claim 7, wherein the ball is a steel ball.

10. The desktop bowling game of claim 7, wherein the plurality of pins includes ten pins.