Tabletop object knock-down game
A tabletop game for head-to-head competition including a platform having a curved path. The game includes a plurality of knock-down objects configured to be knocked down by a ball. The ball includes a weighting that is off center from a geometric center of the ball causing the ball to roll in a non-linear path.
The present invention relates to a tabletop object knock-down game, and more particularly a tabletop game for head-to-head competition in object knock-down.
BACKGROUNDChildren often enjoy competing in head-to-head competition. Games that provide action oriented head-to-head competition are popular among children of all ages. Games that involve action oriented head-to-head competition are often large in size and expensive. For example, Fooze® ball is a popular game that simulates soccer, and Air Hockey is a popular game that simulates ice hockey. One problem with these games is that they require expensive furniture-size equipment that take up considerable space and are not easily moved or packed up.
Games can be more fun when an element of skill is required to succeed at the game. Well known games, such as shooting marbles, require participants to develop a level of skill at shooting marbles. Various techniques may be used to increase one's skill and prowess at effectively hitting the target when playing marbles.
It would be desirable to provide a tabletop game that is action oriented and provides head-to-head competition, where, with practice, players can develop and improve their skill at playing the game. Such a game would be popular with children and provide a mobile head-to-head format for children to compete. A skill element added to the play of the game enhances its play value.
SUMMARYA tabletop game for head-to-head competition includes a platform having a curved path. The game includes a plurality of knock-down objects configured to be positioned in an un-knocked down orientation on the platform and to be knocked down by a ball. The ball includes a center of gravity offset from a geometric center of the ball to permit the ball to roll in a non-linear path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An object knock-down game according to the present invention is generally indicated at 10, in
Game platform 12 may include a reset lever 20 configured to return knock-down objects 14 to an upright position. Game platform 12 may include a banner divider 22 to separate two halves of the game platform.
The two halves of game platform 12 are more clearly illustrated in
A first player rolls their game ball from first player end 26 along game platform 12 in an attempt to knock down the first player's set of knock-down objects 14. Similarly, A second player rolls their game ball 16 along game platform 12 in an attempt to knock-down the second player's set of knock-down objects 14. Score is determined by the number of knock-down objects 14 knocked down during a players attempt. No score results if the player's game ball 16 fails to knock down any of objects 14, or lands in trap 18.
Each player's knock-down objects 14 are positioned in a target zone 30 on platform 12. Banner divider 22 may divide the target zone into two sections, one for each player. As noted above, players roll their game balls 16 toward their portions of target zone 30 in an attempt to knock down objects 14. Game balls 16 employ a weighting bias that places the center of gravity of the ball offset from the geometric center of the game ball.
Game ball 16 employs a weighting bias to achieve rolling travel paths that are non-linear. It will be understood that any number of weighting methods may be used to offset the center of gravity of game ball 16 from the geometric center of game ball 16. For example, a high-density weight may be embedded inside ball 16 in a position that moves the ball's center of gravity. One method of creating ball 16 includes using a first hemisphere 32 of a first material having a relatively high density and a second hemisphere 34 of a second material having a relatively low density; the densities of the first and second hemisphere being relatively related to one another.
Aligning an equator line 37 of ball 16 vertically and positioning first hemisphere 32, the higher density hemisphere, on the left side of vertically aligned equator line 37, may achieve a leftward curved travel path 36. Rolling game ball 16 forwardly along equator line 37 causes ball 16 to roll along a leftward curved travel path 36, as illustrated in
Not aligning equator line 37 either vertically, or with the direction of rolling, causes ball 16 to travel along a random travel path 40, as illustrated in
A player tries to control game ball 16 when rolling it towards obstacles 14 to achieve a desired curve, in hopes of hitting the obstacles in target zone 30. The radius of the leftward curved travel path 36 and rightward curved travel path 42 is governed by the velocity that game ball 16 is rolled. Higher velocities lengthen the radius of curvature for each curved travel path. If a player is successful at knocking down obstacles 14 with their role, a means of easily returning the obstacles to an upright position may be needed.
A reset lever 20 may be used to reset obstacles 14 after they have been knocked down.
Each object 14 attaches to a tether 44 that is connected via loop 46 to loop pin 48. A washer 50 and screw 52 tighten and secure loops 46 to loop pin 48. A rotation point 54, or pivot point, connects reset lever 20 to platform 12. Lateral, or horizontal, movement of reset lever 20 causes tethers 44 to be tensioned or un-tensioned. The tensioning causes any slack in the tether to be taken up and the knock-down objects to be pulled upright by the tether connected to the bottom of the object.
Other embodiments of a: game according to the present invention are contemplated. Examples of other embodiments include the U-shaped game configuration of
A U-Shaped game configuration is shown in
An S-shaped game configuration is shown in
A plus-shaped game configuration is shown in
It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof, as disclosed and illustrated herein, are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Where claims recite “a” or “a first” element or equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring, nor excluding two or more such elements.
It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A tabletop game for head-to-head competition comprising:
- a platform having a curved path;
- a plurality of knock-down objects configured to be positioned in an un-knocked down orientation on the platform; and
- a ball having a center of gravity offset from a geometric center of the ball to permit the ball to roll in a non-linear path.
2. A tabletop game according to claim 1, wherein the ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, and wherein the density of the first hemisphere is greater than the density of the second hemisphere.
3. A tabletop game according to claim 2, wherein the ball includes an equator line separating the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere.
4. A tabletop game according to claim 3, wherein the game includes a reset system for returning knock-down objects to an upright position after they have been knocked down comprising:
- a tether connected to a bottom of each knock-down object;
- a tether aperture in the platform at a preselected location for each knock-down object; and
- a reset lever coupled with each knock-down object by the tether through the tether apertures.
5. A tabletop game according to claim 4, wherein movement of the reset lever tensions the tethers causing the knock-down objects to be pulled into an upright position.
6. A tabletop game for head-to-head competition comprising:
- a platform having a pair of curved paths;
- a plurality of knock-down objects configured to be positioned in an un-knocked down orientation on the platform; and
- a ball having a center of gravity offset from a geometric center of the ball to permit the ball to roll in a non-linear path.
7. A tabletop game according to claim 6, wherein the ball includes a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, and wherein the density of the first hemisphere is greater than the density of the second hemisphere.
8. A tabletop game according to claim 7, wherein the ball includes an equator line separating the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere.
9. A tabletop game according to claim 8, wherein the game includes a reset system for returning knock-down objects to an upright position after they have been knocked down comprising:
- a tether connected to a bottom of each knock-down object;
- a tether aperture in the platform at a preselected location for each knock-down object; and
- a reset lever coupled with each knock-down object by the tether through the tether apertures.
10. A tabletop game according to claim 9, wherein movement of the reset lever tensions the tethers causing the knock-down objects to be pulled into an upright position.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2003
Publication Date: Dec 15, 2005
Inventors: Patrick Turner (Puyallup, WA), H. Lee
Application Number: 10/367,992