Shooting game machine

Abstract

A shooting game machine includes a shell, a gun, and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly. The goal-and-carrier assembly includes a base located in and attached to the shell, a carrier movably supported on the base, and at least one goal unit. The goal unit includes a frame supported on the carrier, a goal pivotally connected to the frame between a raised position and a shut-down position, a crank rotationally connected to the frame, a lever connecting the goal to the crank, a turntable rotationally connected to the frame, magnets attached to the turntable. The magnets attract the crank so that the goal is retained in the raised position until it is effectively hit by a bullet. A motor is operatively connected to the turntable. The motor rotates the turntable when the goal reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goal reaches the raised position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a shooting game machine and, more particularly, to a shooting game machine being capable of raising at least one shut-down goal.

2. Related Prior Art

There are two types of shooting game machines. The first type can be called the “virtual type.” In the virtual type, a shooting game machine includes an optical emitter for emitting a ray of light and an optical receiver for receiving the ray. The second type can be called the “physical type.” In the physical type, a shooting game machine includes a gun for shooting bullets and at least one goal for encountering the bullets.

The physical type includes two subclasses. The first subclass can be called the “disposable type.” In the disposable type, a shooting game machine includes at least one disposable goal such as a balloon. The second subclass can be called the “recoverable type.” In the recoverable type, a shooting game machine includes at least one recoverable goal that can be shut down and manually returned to its original position. The manual maneuvering of the recoverable goal is however inconvenient.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a shooting game machine being capable of raising at least one shut-down goal.

To achieve the foregoing objective, a shooting game machine includes a shell, a gun located in front of the shell, and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly. The goal-and-carrier assembly includes a base located in and attached to the shell, a carrier movably supported on the base, and at least one goal unit. The goal unit includes a frame supported on the carrier, a goal pivotally connected to the frame between a raised position and a shut-down position, a crank rotationally connected to the frame, a lever connecting the goal to the crank, a turntable rotationally connected to the frame, and magnets attached to the turntable. The magnets are evenly located around the axis of the turntable. The magnets attract the crank so that the goal is retained in the raised position until it is effectively hit by a bullet. A motor is operatively connected to the turntable. The motor rotates the turntable when the goal reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goal reaches the raised position.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shooting game machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a goal-and-carrier assembly of the shooting game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the goal-and-carrier assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is another partial view of the goal-and-carrier assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the goal-and-carrier assembly shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the goal-and-carrier assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a shooting game machine includes a shell 1, a gun 2 located on the shell 1, and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly 3 located in the shell 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A user operates the gun 2 to shoot the goal-and-carrier assembly 3 with plastic bullets for example.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 6, the goal-and-carrier assembly 3 includes a base 31, a carrier 32 movably located on the base 31, and at least one goal unit supported on the carrier 32. The base 31 includes two tracks 311, two beams 312, two limit switches 313 and a protective panel 314. The beams 312 are located in and attached to the housing 1. Each of the tracks 311 is preferably a rod extending between the beams 312. Each of the limit switches 313 is attached to a related one of the beams 312. Each of the limit switches 313 is preferably an optical element including an optical emitter for emitting a ray of light and an optical receiver for receiving the ray. The protective panel 314 is attached to the beams 312 and located in front of the carrier 32 and most elements of the goal unit.

The carrier 32 includes a motor 321, three axles 322, 323 and 324, three pair of wheels 325, a worm gear 326, a worm 327, security elements 328 and two reflectors 329. The motor 321 is supported on the carrier 32. The axles 322, 323 and 324 are rotationally connected to the carrier 32. Each pair of wheels 325 is connected to a related one of the axles 322, 323 and 324. The worm 327 is axially connected to a mandrel of the motor 321. The worm gear 326 is axially connected to the axle 323. The worm gear 326 is engaged with the worm 327. Thus, the motor 321 is operable to rotate the pair of wheels 325 connected to the axle 323 to move the carrier 32 on the base 31, i.e., along the tracks 311. Each of the security elements 328 is an L-shaped strip including a section attached to the carrier 32 and another section for hooking a related one of the tracks 311. Thus, the carrier 32 is retained on the base 31. The reflectors 329 are located to the carrier 32. Each of the reflectors 329 is made and located corresponding to a related one of the limit switches 313.

The goal unit includes a frame 33, a goal 36, a crank 35, a lever 37, a turntable 34, a motor 331, a first sensor 38 and a second sensor 39. The goal 36 is pivotally connected to the frame 33. The crank 35 is rotationally connected to the frame 33. The lever 37 connects the goal 36 to the crank 35. The turntable 34 is rotationally connected to the frame 33. The turntable 34 pivots the crank 35 in a manner to be described. The motor 331 is operatively connected to the turntable 34. The first sensor 38 and the second sensor 39 are attached to the frame 33. The first sensor 38 turns off the motor 331, and the second sensor 39 turns on the motor 331 in a manner to be described.

The frame 33 includes opposite internal and external walls extending from a floor. The floor of the frame 33 is attached to the carrier 32 so that the frame 33 is movable together with the carrier 32. A motor 331 is attached to the external wall of the frame 33, with a mandrel of the motor 331 extending through the external wall of the frame 33.

The goal 36 includes a front face for encountering bullets and a back to which a lug 361 is attached. The goal 36 is pivotally connected to the walls of the frame 33 with a pin.

The crank 35, in the form of a sector, is rotationally supported on the mandrel of the motor 331 so that the crank 35 can be rotated relative to the motor 331. That is, the rotation of the mandrel of the motor 331 does not cause the rotation of the crank 35. A nut 351 is attached to the crank 35. The crank 35 is made of a ferromagnetic material.

With a screw and a nut, a first end of the lever 37 is pivotally connected to the lug 361 of the goal 36. Another screw is inserted through a second end of the lever 37 and engaged with the nut 351 of the crank 35 so that the second end of the lever 37 is pivotally connected to the crank 35.

The turntable 34 is connected to the mandrel of the motor 331 so that the turntable 34 can be rotated together with the mandrel of the motor 331. The turntable 34 includes apertures 342 defined therein and evenly located around the axis thereof. A magnet 341 is located in each of the apertures 342. A disc 343 is attached to the turntable 34 to retain the magnets 341 in the apertures 342. However, in another embodiment, the apertures 342 can be replaced with recesses that do not extend through the turntable 34, and the disc 343 are omitted.

The first sensor 38 and the second sensor 39 are attached to the internal wall of the frame 33. On detecting that the goal 36 reaches a raised position, the first sensor 38 turns off the motor 331. To this end, the first sensor 38 is directed upwards. On detecting that the goal 36 reaches a shut-down position, the second sensor 39 turns on the motor 331. To this end, the first sensor 38 is directed forwards. Each of the sensors 38 and 39 is preferably an optical element including an optical emitter for emitting a ray of light and an optical receiver for receiving the ray. The sensors 38 and 39 are similar to the limit switches 313.

In operation, the motor 321 causes the carrier 32 to carry the goal unit to and fro along tracks 311 of the base 31. Each of the reflectors 329 reflects the ray emitted from the optical emitter of a related one of the limit switches 313 back to the optical receiver of the same limit switch 313 to indicate that the carrier 32 has reached a limit. That is, each limit switch 313 detects the related reflector 329. Each limit switch 313 instructs the motor 321 to turn to an opposite direction on detecting the related reflector 329.

Referring to FIG. 5, the goal 36 is in the raised position. On detecting this, the first sensor 38 stops the operation of the motor 331. The goal 36 is retained in the raised position further because it is supported by the lever 37 that is in turn supported by the crank 35 that is in turn is attracted to some of the magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34. The protective panel 314 protects the carrier 32 and the elements of the goal unit except the goal 36.

Referring to FIG. 6, the user operates the gun 2 to shoot the goal 36 with bullets. When a bullet effectively hits the goal 36, the bullet transfers an adequate momentum to the goal 36. The adequate momentum exerted on the goal 36 overcomes the magnetic attraction of the crank 35 to the magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34. The magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34 let go the crank 35 that in turn fails to support the lever 37 that in turns fails to support the goal 36. Eventually, the goal 36 stops falling and gets attracted to some others of the magnets 342 attached to the turntable 34. The goal 36 reaches the shut-down position. On detecting this, the second sensor 39 automatically actuates the operation of the motor 331 and returns the goal 36 to the raised position shown in FIG. 5.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A shooting game machine including a shell (1), a gun (2) located in front of the shell (1), and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly (3) including:

a base (31) located in and attached to the shell (1);

a carrier (32) movably supported on the base (31); and

at least one goal unit including: a frame (33) supported on the carrier (32); a goal (36) pivotally connected to the frame (33) between a raised position and a shut-down position; a crank (35) rotationally connected to the frame (33); a lever (37) connecting the goal (36) to the crank (35); a turntable (34) rotationally connected to the frame (33); magnets (342) attached to the turntable (34), wherein the magnets (342) are evenly located around the axis of the turntable (34), wherein the magnets (342) attract the crank (35) so that the goal (36) is retained in the raised position until it is effectively hit by a bullet; and a motor (331) connected to the turntable (34), wherein the motor (331) rotates the turntable (34) when the goal (36) reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goal (36) reaches the raised position.

2. The shooting game machine according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (32) includes at least two axles (322, 323, 324) rotationally attached thereto and a pair of wheels (325) connected to each of the axles (322, 323, 324).

3. The shooting game machine according to claim 2, wherein the carrier (32) includes a motor (321), a worm (327) operatively connected to the motor (321) thereof, and a worm gear (326) axially connected to one of the axles (323) and engaged with the worm (327).

4. The shooting game machine according to claim 3, wherein the base (31) includes two limit switches (313) each located near and end thereof for instructing the motor (321) of the carrier (32) to turn to an opposite direction on detecting the carrier (32).

5. The shooting game machine according to claim 4, wherein the limit switches (313) are optical elements.

6. The shooting game machine according to claim 5, wherein the carrier (32) includes two reflectors (329) each for reflecting a ray of light emitted from a related one of the limit switches (313) back to the limit switch (313 to indicate the coming of the carrier (32).

7. The shooting game machine according to claim 1, wherein the carrier (32) includes at least one security element (328) for sliding engagement with the base (31) to retain the carrier (32) on the base (31).

8. The shooting game machine according to claim 1, wherein the base (31) includes a protective panel (314) located thereon for protecting the elements of the goal-and-carrier assembly (3) except the goal (36).

9. The shooting game machine according to claim 1, wherein the goal unit includes:

a first sensor (38) for turning on the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36) reaching the shut-down position; and

a second sensor (39) for turning off the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36) reaching the raised position.

10. The shooting game machine according to claim 1, wherein the turntable (34) includes apertures (342) each for receiving a related one of the magnets (341).

11. A shooting game machine including a shell (1), a gun (2) supported on the shell (1), and at least one goal-and-carrier assembly (3) including:

a base (31) located in and attached to the shell (1);

a carrier (32) movably supported on the base (31); and

at least one goal unit including: a frame (33) supported on the carrier (32); a goal (36) pivotally connected to the frame (33) between a raised position and a shut-down position; a crank (35) rotationally connected to the frame (33); a lever (37) connecting the goal (36) to the crank (35); a turntable (34) rotationally connected to the frame (33); magnets (342) attached to the turntable (34), wherein the magnets (342) are evenly located around the axis of the turntable (34), wherein the magnets (342) attract the crank (35) so that the goal (36) is retained in the raised position until it is effectively hit by a bullet; and a motor (331) operatively connected to the turntable (34), wherein the motor (331) rotates the turntable (34) when the goal (36) reaches the shut-down position and stops when the goal (36) reaches the raised position; a first sensor (38) for turning on the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36) reaching the shut-down position; and a second sensor (39) for turning off the motor (331) on detecting the goal (36) reaching the raised position.

12. The shooting game machine according to claim 11, wherein the carrier (32) includes at least two axles (322, 323, 324) rotationally attached thereto and a pair of wheels (325) connected to each of the axles (322, 323, 324).

13. The shooting game machine according to claim 12, wherein the carrier (32) includes a motor (321), a worm (327) operatively connected to the motor (321) thereof, and a worm gear (326) axially connected to one of the axles (323) and engaged with the worm (327).

14. The shooting game machine according to claim 13, wherein the base (31) includes two limit switches (313) each located near and end thereof for instructing the motor (321) of the carrier (32) to turn to an opposite direction on detecting the carrier (32).

15. The shooting game machine according to claim 14, wherein the limit switches (313) are optical elements.

16. The shooting game machine according to claim 15, wherein the carrier (32) includes two reflectors (329) each for reflecting a ray of light emitted from a related one of the limit switches (313) back to the limit switch (313) to indicate the coming of the carrier (32).

17. The shooting game machine according to claim 11, wherein the carrier (32) includes at least one security element (328) for sliding engagement with the base (31) to retain the carrier (32) on the base (31).

18. The shooting game machine according to claim 11, wherein the base (31) includes a protective panel (314) located thereon for protecting the elements of the goal-and-carrier assembly (3) except the goal (36).

19. The shooting game machine according to claim 11, wherein the turntable (34) includes apertures (342) each for receiving a related one of the magnets (341).