GAME TOY

- AGATSUMA CO., LTD.

There is provided a game toy which is an intellectual education tool for infants which is not only a game toy with which a player can capture targets with ease, but also an educational tool which allows two players to have a chance to capture the target alternately, whereby the players can keep their interests, comprising a FIG. 20, a target tray 13 for storing a plurality of ball-shaped targets 18 lying above the FIG. 20, a rotating shaft 15 for supporting to rotate the target tray 13, and a catching portion 14 for hanging the target 18, wherein the FIG. 20 opens its upper part while being raised by depressing an operating button 11 and closes its upper part for capturing the target 18 while being lowered by releasing the operating button 11 and the target tray 13 is rotated through a predetermined angle.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-165822 filed on Jul. 23, 2010, the entire disclosure of which, including the description, claims, drawings, and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game toy as an intellectual education tool for infants.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, there have been proposed toys as educational tools which utilize building blocks for learning how to add and subtract, for example, an arithmetic training box having multifunctionality proposed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3041323 which is referred to as a Patent Document 1. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H8-206353, which is referred to as a Patent Document 2, proposes a face-to-face game toy of fighting sports or ball games. With the game toy, two players face each other with putting the game screen between two players at both sides of the toy, one player can watch what the other player does, and both players can operate the game toy while watching figures which appear in the game screen up close.

However, although the arithmetic training box having multifunctionality is the educational tool for learning how to add and subtract, since the tool does not have enough fun as a game, infant players cannot play with the tool continuously with fun. Additionally, in the face-to-face game toy proposed in the Patent Document 2 described above, when players having different skill levels compete, since a player with higher skill is likely to keep his/her edge and to win the game in most cases, a player having lower skill is likely to get bored with the game toy to thereby have a difficulty in keeping his/her interest therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the related arts described above. The present invention provides an intellectual education tool for infants which is not only a game toy with which a player can capture a target in a shape representing a ball or the like with ease, but also an educational tool which allows a player to learn such as counting the captured targets. In addition, there is provided a game toy which allows two players facing each other to have a chance to capture the target representing a ball or the like alternately, whereby the players can keep their interests in the game toy.

The game toy of the present invention is the game toy for capturing a target whose shape represents a ball or the like by operating an operating button and the game toy comprises a figure which is raised with its upper part opened by the operating button being depressed, a target tray for storing a plurality of targets whose shapes represent the ball or the like which lies above the figure, a rotating shaft for supporting to rotate the target tray, and a catching portion for hanging a target which is stored in the target tray, wherein the figure opens its upper part while being raised by the operating button being depressed, and closes its upper part to capture the target of the catching portion while being lowered by the operating button being released, and also the target tray is rotated through a predetermined angle.

In addition, in the game toy of the present invention, it is preferable that the figures be made up of two figures which are arranged symmetrically on either side of the rotating shaft position and operating buttons for operating each figure correspondingly are provided.

Additionally, in the game toy of the invention, it is preferable that in the event the target is captured by the figure, other target stored in the target tray move to the catching portions to be hung.

Further, in the game toy of the invention, the catching portions are located on three positions on a bottom portion which lie adjacent to a periphery of the target tray at equal spaces and extend downwards therefrom. The target tray of the game toy of the invention is designed so as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the catching portions corresponds to a position right above one of the figures.

In addition, the game toy of the invention includes a target storage tray for storing the target which is captured by the figure.

Furthermore, in the game toy of the invention, it is preferable that the target be made in a ball shape with a design drawn on a surface representing such as a ball, a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog.

According to the invention as has been described above, there can be provided an intellectual education tool for infants which is not only a game toy with which a player can capture targets in a shape representing a ball or the like with ease, but also an intellectual education tool which allows a player to learn such as counting the captured targets. In addition, there can be provided an intellectual education tool as an interesting game toy which allows two players facing each other to have a chance to capture the target representing a ball or the like alternately.

According to the game toy of the invention, since figures are arranged symmetrically on either side of the rotating shaft position, two players can compete against each other by operating each of the corresponding figures for capturing the target, whereby the players can enjoy the game with excitement.

Additionally, in the game toy of the invention, in the event that the target is captured by the figure, other target stored in the target tray moves to the catching portion to be hung, whereby the game can be continued without interruption.

According to the game toy of the invention, the target tray is designed so as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the catching portions corresponds to a position right above one of the figures, whereby two players can enjoy by capturing the target alternately.

According to the game toy of the invention, since a target storage tray is provided thereto, a player can count the number of the captured target with ease.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a design is drawn on a surface of the target representing such as a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog, whereby the game toy can be more realistic race game for the bun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a game toy according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view showing an internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is an explanatory bottom view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional front view showing a movement of a clutch mechanism of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a state where a figure is pre-raised,

FIG. 6 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a state immediately after the figure is raised,

FIG. 7 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a state just after the figure is lowered from the highest raising position,

FIG. 8 is an explanatory front view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a state where the figure is returned to its initial position by being lowered,

FIG. 9 is an explanatory side view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a state where a figure is pre-raised, and

FIG. 10 is an explanatory side view showing the internal construction of the game toy according to the embodiment of the invention in a state just after the figure is lowered from the highest raising position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention will be described. A game toy 10 of the invention is a game toy 10 as an intellectual education tool which allows two players facing each other to operate operating buttons provided to the players respectively for playing the game toy 10. The game toy 10 comprises FIGS. 20 including two figures which are arranged symmetrically on either side of a rotating shaft 15 as a center which is positioned in a center of the game toy 10, wherein each FIG. 20 is raised while opening a mouth portion 21 which represents upper half of a face above a mouth of the FIG. 20 by depressing each operating buttons. Additionally, the game toy 10 comprises a target tray 13 which lies above the FIGS. 20 for storing a plurality of targets 18 which represents a ball or the like.

In addition, the game toy 10 comprises a rotating shaft 15 which supports the target tray 13 for rotating, target catching portions 14 which hang the target 18 stored in the target tray 13, and a target storage tray 64 for storing the target 18 which is captured by the FIG. 20 in such a manner that the FIG. 20 opens the mouth portion 21 while being raised for holding the target 18 caught by the catching portion 14. In the game toy 10, by an operating button 11 being depressed, the FIG. 20 is raised with opening the mouth portion 21, and by the operating button 11 so depressed is then released, the FIG. 20 is lowered with closing the mouth portion 21 and the target tray 13 is rotated through a predetermined angle.

The target catching portions 14 are located on three positions on a bottom portion which lie adjacent to a periphery of the target tray 13 at equal spaces and extend downwards therefrom. The target tray 13 rotates and stops at a position where one of the three target catching portions 14 corresponds to a position right above one of the FIGS. 20.

When either one of the FIGS. 20 captures the target 18 in such a manner as to hold the target 18 by its mouth, other target 18 stored in the target tray 13 moves to the target catching portion 14 to be hung.

Hereinafter, embodiment of the present invention will be described by use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a game toy 10 of the invention. A game toy 10 shown in the drawing is made for playing a game representing a race for the hung bun which is a race for capturing a bun by a mouth without using hands. Disposed on left and right sides of the game toy 10 are FIGS. 20 which are configured as dolls of a character which open mouths formed in the upper part of the FIGS. 20 while being raised. Both of these FIGS. 20 are disposed on a housing 30 which is configured as a pedestal at positions keeping the same distances from the rotating shaft 15 which is disposed in the center of the game toy 10 so as to face each other.

Since the FIGS. 20 on left and right have the same structure and the same shape, the FIGS. 20 will be described using the same reference numerals. The housing 30 of the game toy 10 is a rectangular shape with 125 mm in depth and 300 mm in width at its upper surface. A longitudinal direction of the housing 30 is referred to as a left-right direction. A surface at the front side, shown in FIG. 1, is referred to as a front surface and left and right of the front surface are referred to as side surfaces. Constructing members of the game toy 10, excluding particular members, screws, and the like, are made of hard resin.

Each of the operating buttons 11 for raising the FIG. 20 with opening its mouth portion 21 is disposed to the left and right sides of the game toy 10, which are back sides of the FIGS. 20 respectively.

The target tray 13 is provided above a center of the game toy 10 for storing the target 18 which is a spherical configuration made into a ball shape or the like which represents a bun used in the race for the bun. For that purpose, the target tray 13 is disposed so as to be supported by the rotating shaft 15 which positions in the center of the game toy 10.

The spherically shaped target 18 which is stored in the target tray 13 passes through any of the three holes provided to a bottom surface of the tray at equal spaces to be caught by the target catching portions 14. Then the target 18 is held above either of the FIGS. 20 in such a manner that the bun is hung for the race for the bun. The FIGS. 20 are raised with opening the mouth portion 21 when the operating button 11 is depressed by such as a finger. Then the operating button 11 so depressed is released, and the FIGS. 20 are lowered with capturing the target 18 caught by the target catching portion 14 by holding it with the mouth portion 21.

The target 18 so captured passes through the FIG. 20 and comes out from a target guiding portion 63 which is provided at back side of the FIG. 20 to outside the FIG. 20. Then the target 18 falls onto a target connecting path 32 and is guided to the front surface side of the housing 30 while rolling on an inclined surface of the target connecting path 32, thereby falls into a target storage tray 64 to be stored.

The target tray 13 is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from above the game toy 10 by depressing and releasing the operating button 11. Three holes are provided to a bottom surface of the target tray 13 which lies adjacent to a periphery thereof at 120 degree intervals . Therefore, any one of the target catching portions 14 is held above either of the FIG. 20 during playing the game. Namely, two players facing each other can have a chance to capture the target 18 alternately.

Next, an internal construction of the housing 30 in relation to the depressing and the releasing of the operating button 11 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory front view showing an internal construction of the housing 30 of the game toy 10. FIG. 3 is an explanatory bottom view showing the internal construction of the housing 30 of the game toy 10. Note that the housing 30 includes the two same structures and configurations in the interior thereof on both sides of the rotating shaft 15 which is located in the center of the housing 30, and hence, the constructing members on left and right will be described using the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the interior of the housing 30 below the operating buttons 11, rotating members 40 are disposed which perform a seesaw movement for raising and lowering the FIGS. 20. In the game toy 10, by the movement of the rotating member 40, depressing the operating button 11 with a finger raises the FIG. 20 and releasing the operating button 11 from the finger lowers the FIG. 20.

A figure spring 39 is disposed in the interior of the each FIG. 20 respectively. The figure spring 39 is connected at one end to the rotating member 40 and is connected at the other end to a wall in an interior of a figure pedestal, which is described later, in the interior of the FIG. 20. The each figure spring 39 biases the raised FIG. 20 to downwards direction.

A rotating pivot 41 is positioned in a center of the each rotating member 40 as a pivot of the seesaw movement and is pivotally supported by a bearing portion which is disposed on an upper surface of the interior of the housing 30. An operating lever 42 is downward extended from the bottom surface of the each rotating member 40 at a right angle so as to rotate the target tray 13 by the rotating pivot 41 being served as a base point.

The each operating lever 42 is engaged to an arm connecting portion 43a respectively which is positioned in a center portion of an arm 43 which is a driving source of a clutch mechanism which is described later. The operating lever 42 swings left and right in conjunction with the seesaw movement of the rotating member 40 for operating the arm 43 laterally. The each arm 43 is connected to arm spring 38 in the interior of the housing 30 at both sides respectively to be biased to side direction of the housing 30. The arm spring 38 is linked to the lateral movement of the arm 43 in conjunction with the seesaw movement of the rotating member 40. Specifically, when the operating button 11 is depressed, the arm spring 38 is expanded, and when the operating button 11 is released, the arm spring 38 in expanded state is released and returns to its initial state.

By the mechanism described above, the arm 43 is moved laterally to a direction of a rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 (hereinafter referred to as a positive direction) shown in FIG. 3 by the depressing operation of the operating button 11. An arm U-shaped groove 44 is formed in the each arm 43 in a position in proximity to the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 to be fitted to a projection for arm 52 provided at a clutch wheel, which is described later. The projection for arm 52 fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 is operated in conjunction with the lateral movement of the arm 43 to the positive direction.

The arm 43 so operated to the positive direction is biased by the arm spring 38 to the side surface direction of the housing 30 (hereinafter referred to as a negative direction) to be returned to its initial state by the release of the operating button 11 . The projection for arm 52 fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 is operated in conjunction with the lateral movement of the arm 43 to the negative direction.

A clutch mechanism for rotating the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 in one direction, which is described later, is realized by the movements of positive and negative directions of the arms 43 for rotating the target tray 13.

The rotating shaft 15 which is integrated with the target tray 13 disposed in a top portion of the game toy 10 is rotatably inserted from the upper surface into the inside in a center of the housing 30 as shown in FIG. 2. The lower end of the rotating shaft 15 is integrated with the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 at a bottom of the inside of the housing 30.

A circular disc of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is formed larger in diameter than outside diameter of the rotating shaft 15. As shown in FIG. 3, disposed on an upper surface of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 are six clutch projections 17 equally at 60 degree intervals in proximity to a periphery of the circular disc. A hole is provided on a center of a bottom surface of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 for supporting a projection which is provided to a bottom surface of the inside of the housing 30.

Next, the clutch mechanism for rotating the target tray 13 in one direction by depressing and releasing the operation button 11 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional front view showing a series of operations of the clutch mechanism which is positioned at a center bottom portion in the interior of the housing 30 of the game toy 10.

The clutch mechanism is made up of the arm 43 which is a driving source and includes the arm U-shaped groove 44, a clutch wheel 50 which is rotated by the projection for arm 52 which is fitted into the arm U-shaped groove 44 by the positive direction (illustrated left-pointing arrow) movement of the arm 43 shown in FIG. 4 (a) , and the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 which includes clutch projections 17 to be rotated in one direction by being meshed with clutch teeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50.

The rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is, as described above, formed integrated with the target tray 13 which positions at a top portion of the game toy 10 and with the rotating shaft 15 which supports the target tray 13 by being integrated therewith at the bottom portion of the game toy 10. The rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is formed into a circular disc shape and includes the clutch projections 17 for meshing with the clutch teeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50 in one direction on a surface of a side thereof which faces the clutch wheel 50 side. The clutch projections are formed into a circular cylinder shape and six of the clutch projections are disposed at 60 degrees equally so as to form a circumference.

The clutch wheel 50 is formed into a circular disc shape, has superior abrasion resistance, has low friction coefficient, is made of thermoplastic resin having elasticity, and is disposed by a hole provided in a center thereof for the rotating shaft 15 to be rotatably inserted thereinto. The six clutch teeth 51 are disposed at 60 degrees equally so as to form a circumference on a surface side of the clutch wheel 50 which faces the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 side, shown in FIG. 4, for meshing with the clutch projections 17 of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 in one direction. Each of the clutch teeth 51 is made into a tapered shape which is a rectangular parallelepiped with one side thereof being made into a gently inclined plane.

As shown in FIG. 3, the projections for arm 52 are disposed on an upper surface of the clutch wheel 50 to be fitted together with the arm U-shaped grooves 44 which are formed in the each arm 43. The projections for arm 52 are formed into a circular cylinder shape and two projections for arm 52 are disposed in symmetrical positions about the rotating shaft 15 as a center in such a manner as to be fitted together with the arm. U-shaped grooves 44 formed in the both arms 43 respectively. The clutch wheel 50 is enabled to convert the lateral movement of the arm 43 into a movement of a rotational direction by being configured as a rotating member.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the clutch mechanism rotates the projection for arm 52 fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 when the operating button 11 is depressed for moving the arm 43 to the positive direction (illustrated left-pointing arrow). That is, the rotation of the projection for arm 52 rotates the clutch wheel 50 clockwise (hereinafter referred to as a positive rotation) 60 degrees about the rotating shaft 15 as the center viewed from above the game toy 10.

By the 60 degree positive rotation of the clutch wheel 50, the six clutch teeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50 are rotated in the positive direction around the rotating shaft 15 as a center. Each clutch tooth 51 rotates in the positive direction in such a manner that the inclined plane of the tapered portion of the each clutch teeth 51 contacts with the each clutch projection 17 of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 which is positioned underneath the clutch wheel 50, as shown in FIG. 4 (b).

Note that static friction force of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is large since the target tray 13 and the rotating shaft 15 are integrated therewith. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the each clutch teeth 51 rotates in the positive direction with a condition that the inclined plane of the each clutch teeth 51 contacts with a side surface of the circular cylinder of the each clutch projection 17 disposed on the rotating circular disc portion 16, the each clutch projection 17 maintains its stationary position, whereby the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 does not rotate in the positive direction.

The clutch wheel 50 is made of a material which has superior abrasion resistance, low friction coefficient, and resilience. By the characteristics of the material of the clutch wheel 50, when the each clutch teeth 51 contacts with the each clutch projection 17, the clutch wheel 50 only rotates in the positive direction while releasing a contact pressure between the clutch tooth 51 and the clutch projections 17 by deforming its shape, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), without the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 having the clutch projections 17 being rotated.

With the mechanism described herein, while the clutch wheel 50 rotates 60 degrees in the positive direction, the clutch projections 17 of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 does not rotate in the positive direction, and hence, does not change their positions. More specifically, the gentle inclined plane of the each clutch teeth 51 rotating in the positive direction passes over the unmoving each clutch projection 17 and the clutch wheel 50 stops rotating at a position where a wall portion of the each clutch teeth 51 contacts with the each clutch projection 17.

Meanwhile, when the depressed button is released from the finger, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the arm 43 moves to the negative direction (illustrated right-pointing arrow). The clutch mechanism rotates the projection for arm 52 of the clutch wheel 50 fitted together with the arm U-shaped groove 44 when the operating button 11 is released for moving the arm 43 to the negative direction. That is, the rotation of the projection for arm 52 rotates the clutch wheel 50 counterclockwise (hereinafter referred to as a negative rotation) 60 degrees about the rotating shaft 15 as the center viewed from above the game toy 10.

By a 60 degree negative rotation of the clutch wheel 50, the six clutch teeth 51 of the clutch wheel 50 make the negative rotation around the rotating shaft 15 as a center. In the clutch tooth 51 which make the negative rotation, the wall portions thereof mesh with the clutch projections 17.

A rotation power of the clutch wheel 50 in the negative rotation is transmitted to the clutch projections 17 of the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16, whereby the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 makes the negative rotation about the rotating shaft 15 as a center. By this configuration, the target tray 13 which is integrated with the rotating shaft circular disc portion 16 is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise when viewed from thereabove.

The clutch mechanism works the same way in operations of both left and right arms 43. When either of the left and right arms 43 moves in the positive direction, the clutch wheel 50 is rotated 60 degrees in the positive rotation, whereby the two projections for arm 52 which are formed on the clutch wheel 50 makes the positive rotation about the rotating shaft 15 as a center.

When the two projections for arm 52 rotate, the each of the left and right arms 43 is moved which forms therein the arm U-shaped groove 44 to be fitted together with the each projection for arm 52. Therefore, by either of the left or right operating buttons 11 being depressed and whereby one of the arms 43 concerned is moved in the positive direction, the other arm 43 is also moved in the positive direction.

Namely, each of the arms 43 moves in the positive direction by either of the left or right operating button 11 being depressed. The each arm 43 moves in the positive direction when the operating button 11 is depressed and moves in the negative direction when the operating button so depressed is released. Therefore, if one of the operating buttons is kept depressed while the other button is released after both the buttons are depressed, both arms 43 are kept the moved state in the positive direction.

By making such a configuration, in the game toy 10, the release of the only one operating button, after both operating buttons 11 are depressed by two competing players, does not rotate the target tray 13. That is, in the game toy 10, by both the operating buttons 11 being released by the players, the target tray 13 is rotated 60 degrees counterclockwise.

Next, an internal construction of the FIG. 20 will be described by referring to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 5 to 8 are explanatory front views showing a series of raising and lowering movements of the FIG. 20 with showing an internal construction thereof. FIGS. 9 and 10 are explanatory side views showing raising and lowering movements of the FIG. 20 and simultaneously showing the internal construction thereof.

The FIG. 20 is made up of, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, a front body portion 25, a rear body portion 26, a mouth portion 21 having a mouth opening lever 22, a mouth opening/closing spring 29, a movable arm portion 27, a movable leg portion 28, a figure pedestal 24, and a cape 65. The FIG. 20 includes in an inside thereof an up/down moving member 23 which is supported by the rotating member 40 which performs a seesaw movement for raising and lowering the FIG. 20.

The front body portion 25 is a member for forming a front surface of a main body of the FIG. 20. The front body portion 25 forms a front surface of the body and lower jaw portion excluding arms and legs of the FIG. 20 which is formed into a shape representing the figure being looking up. The mouth opening/closing spring 29 is provided to an interior of the front body portion 25 at a portion representing an abdomen to be moved in response to the movement of the up/down moving member 23 and for biasing the mouth portion 21 to a closing side. The mouth opening/closing spring 29 is caught together with the interior of the abdomen of the front body portion 25 at its one end, and is caught together with an upper portion of the up/down moving member 23 on a side which faces the inside of the front body portion 25 at the other end.

The rear body portion 26 is a member for forming a rear surface of a main body of the FIG. 20. The rear body portion 26 forms a rear surface of the body excluding the arms and the legs. A target guiding portion 63 is formed in a center of the rear body portion 26, which is a hole for guiding the target 18, which is described later, to outside of the FIG. 20.

A lower end of the up/down moving member 23 is formed into rod-shaped and is supported by the rotating member 40. An upper end of the up/down moving member 23 is formed plate-shaped and is connected to the inside of the abdomen of the front body portion 25 via the mouth opening/closing spring 29 in the interior of the FIG. 20. The up/down moving member 23 includes an engaging portion 62 on an upper portion thereof which engages with a mouth opening lever 22 for opening the mouth portion 21, which is described later.

The mouth portion 21 is formed on an upper portion of the FIG. 20 for representing a face portion of FIG. 20 excluding the lower jaw portion. The mouth portion 21 includes a mouth opening lever 22 for opening and closing the mouth portion on a portion which corresponds to a neck portion below an ear portion of the FIG. 20. Here, an opening and closing mechanism of the mouth portion 21 will be described. The mouth opening lever 22 is engaged with the engaging portion 62 which positions on an upper portion of the up/down moving member 23. As shown in FIG. 6, at the beginning of the moving up movement of the FIG. 20, the engaging portion 62 goes up slightly for moving the mouth opening lever 22 to upwards which is an opening side to thereby open the mouth portion 21.

As shown in FIG. 7, at the beginning of the lowering movement of the up/down moving member 23, the engaging portion 62 is lowered slightly for moving the mouth opening lever 22 by biasing of the mouth opening/closing spring 29 to downwards which is a closing side to thereby close the mouth portion 21.

The front body portion 25 and the rear body portion 26 form a hollow body of the FIG. 20. In the inside of the FIG. 20, a figure pedestal 24 is disposed which is hollow and fixed on an upper surface of the housing 30, which is described later. Further, the up/down moving member 23 to be raised and lowered is disposed in the figure pedestal 24.

Movable arm portions 27 form portions representing left and right arms on both sides of the FIG. 20, as shown in FIG. 9. The movable arm portions 27 are formed in such a way as to be embedded between the rear body portion 26 and the front body portion 25. In the movable arm portions 27, portions on the periphery of side portions of the movable arm portions 27 engage with upper engaging projections 61 and flat end portions on peripheries of the upper engaging portions 61 which are provided to the figure pedestal 24, which is described later, to thereby perform a motion of extending both arms while the up/down moving member 23 is raised.

Movable leg portions 28 are formed into portions representing left and right legs on both sides of the FIG. 20, and are formed in such a way as to be embedded between the rear body portion 26 and the front body portion 25. In the movable leg portions 28, inside ankle portions of the movable leg portions 28 engage with lower engaging profections 61 and flat end portions on peripheries of the lower engaging portions 61 which are provided to the figure pedestal 24, which is described later, to thereby perform a motion of opening and closing both legs while the up/down moving member 23 is raised.

The figure pedestals 24 are disposed on the upper surface of the housing 30 of the game toy 10 by means of screws or the like for connecting. The FIGS. 20 are disposed in predetermined positions by the figure pedestals 24. A lower portion of the figure pedestals 24 is a circular disc shape and the upper portion thereof is a rod shape to be inserted movably from between the legs into the inside of the FIG. 20.

The engaging projections 61 and the flat end portions on peripheries of the engaging portions 61 described above are provided on the upper portion of the figure pedestal 24. The engaging projections 61 and the flat end portions on peripheries of the engaging portions 61 interfere the portions on the periphery of side portions of the movable arm portions 27 and a peripheries of the inside ankle portions of the movable leg portions 28, whereby the movable arm portions 27 extend both arms thereof and the movable leg portions 28 open and close both legs thereof while the FIG. 20 is raised.

A cape 65 is formed at a position extending from a neck portion to a back portion of the FIG. 20 as an ornamental. The cape 65 is a part of a guiding portion which guides the target 18 to a predetermined position where is outside the FIG. 20 in conjunction with a target guiding portion 63 which is formed on the rear body portion 26.

A series of up and down movements of the FIG. 20 in the game toy 10 will be described by referring to the accompanying FIGS. 5 to 10. The FIG. 20 in the game toy 10 is in an initial state, as shown in FIG. 5, provided the operating button 11 is not depressed. The FIG. 20 closes the mouth portion 21 in the initial state.

The game toy 10 is brought to a beginning state of the FIG. 20 being raised, as shown in FIG. 6, just after the operating button 11 is depressed by a player. The FIG. 20 opens the mouth portion 21 first at the beginning state of being raised. Specifically, by the operating button being depressed, the rotating member 40 performs a seesaw movement to a direction which raises the FIG. 20, whereby the up/down moving member 23 is raised which is supported by the rotating member 40. In the FIG. 20, when the up/down moving member 23 is raised slightly, the mouth opening/closing spring 29 which is connected to the up/down moving member 23 is expanded and simultaneously the mouth opening lever 22 is moved to an opening side by the engaging portion 62 of the up/down moving member 23, whereby the mouth portion 21 is opened.

When the operating button 11 is depressed further to bottom by the player, the up/down moving member 23 is raised higher to thereby support the front body portion 25, whereby the FIG. 20 is brought into a highest raising state where the main body of the FIG. 20 is raised to a highest position.

In the highest raising state, the FIG. 20 attains a height at which the mouth portion 21 is enabled to hold the target 18 which is hung by the target catching portion 14 of the target tray 13. The player releases the operating button 11 in the highest raising state, whereby the FIG. 20 is brought into a beginning state of mouth closing, as shown in FIG. 7.

Specifically, right after the operating button being released, in the interior of the housing 30, the rotating member 40 performs a seesaw movement to a direction which makes the FIG. 20 to be lowered, whereby the up/down moving member 23 which is supported by the rotating member 40 is lowered. In the FIG. 20, when the up/down moving member 23 is lowered slightly, the mouth opening/closing spring 29 which is connected to the up/down moving member 23 constracts and simultaneously the mouth opening lever 22 is moved to a closing side by the engaging portion 62 of the up/down moving member 23, whereby the mouth portion 21 is closed.

By closing the mouth portion 21 of the FIG. 20, the target 18 which is hung by the target catching portion 14 is interfered to thereby be caused to fall. The target 18 so fell is, as shown in FIG. 7, conveyed into an interior of the FIG. 20.

The FIG. 20 goes back to its initial position when the up/down moving member 23 is further lowered by a returning motion of the figure spring 39.

In the FIG. 20 which is back to the initial position, as shown in FIG. 8, the target 18 so conveyed into the interior of the FIG. 20 is guided through the hole of the target guiding portion 63 which is positioned in a center of the rear body portion 26 to the outside thereof, then is caused to fall onto the target connecting path 32 which positions a lower portion.

With the mechanism in the game toy 10 heretofore described, each player makes the FIG. 20 up and down to thereby capture the target 18.

Next, a mechanism for catching the target 18 of the game toy 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 or 10, the target catching portion 14 catches the target 18 in such a manner as to hang it which is stored in the target tray 13 in advance when the target 18 passes through a hole of the target tray 13, not shown, and subsequently falls.

The target catching portions 14 are provided to three positions at 120 degree intervals about the rotating shaft 15 as a center. The target catching portion 14 is a thin plate material which is made of thermoplastic resin having resilience so that the target catching portion 14 is enabled to catch the target 18 and simultaneously to drop the target 18 when a small amount of force is exerted thereon. An inside of a distal end of the target catching portion 14 is formed into two hook shaped portions so as to pick the target 18 by the two hooks. Since the target catching portion 14 is thin, low strength, and exposed to outside, a protection cover or the like is provided to a periphery of the target catching portion 14 in such a manner as to not obstruct the fall of the target 18 to thereby be protected from external pressure.

As described previously, the depressing/releasing operation of the operating button 11 causes the target tray 13 to be rotated 60 degrees per each operation. By the configuration, the target catching portion 14 is disposed above either of the left or right FIGS. 20. By a plurality of spherically shaped targets 18 being stored in the target tray 13, the plurality of spherically shaped targets 18 is guided to be disposed at a lower end of the target catching portion 14 sequentially by the rotation of the target tray 13 every time the target 18 is captured by the FIG. 20.

Next, a target storage tray 64 for storing the captured target 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1 or 10, the target storage tray 64 is provided at the front surface of the game toy 10.

As described previously, the FIG. 20 is raised with opening the mouth portion 21, releases the target 18 from the hooks of the target catching portion 14 by closing the mouth portion 21 at the highest raising state and being lowered for conveying the target 18 into the mouth portion 21. The conveyed target 18 passes through the interior of the FIG. 20, via the target guiding portion 63 which positions in substantially a center of the rear body portion 26 of the FIG. 20, and falls onto the target connecting path 32 which is provided on the upper surface of the housing 30.

The target 18 so fell rolls down the road surface of the target connecting path 32 which is formed inclined, and then the target 18 is stored in the target storage tray 64. That is, the target storage tray 64 is a tray for storing the captured target 18. By forming the target storage tray 64 into shallow in depth so as to allow the player to see the inside thereof, and/or providing indexes such as “one, two, three, . . . ” on a brim of the inside surface, counting the captured targets 18 is facilitated.

As described heretofore, the game toy 10 according to the present invention is not only a game toy with which a player can capture a target in a shape representing a ball or the like with ease, but also an educational tool which allows a player to learn such as counting the captured targets. In addition, there can be provided an intellectual education tool as a game toy 10 which allows two players facing each other to have a chance to capture the target 18 alternately, whereby the players can keep their interests therein.

According to the game toy 10 of the invention, since FIGS. 20 are arranged symmetrically on either side of the position of the rotating shaft 15 as a center, two players can compete against each other by operating each of the corresponding FIGS. 20 for capturing the target 18, whereby the players can enjoy the game with excitement.

Additionally, in the game toy 10 of the invention, in the event the target 18 is captured by the FIG. 20, other target 18 stored in the target tray 13 moves to the catching portion to be hung, whereby the game can be continued without interruption.

According to the game toy 10 of the invention, the target tray 13 is designed so as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the target catching portions 14 corresponds to a position right above one of the FIGS. 20, whereby two players can enjoy by capturing the target 18 alternately.

Furthermore, according to the game toy 10 of the invention, since the target storage tray 64 is provided thereto for storing the captured target 18, the player can count the number of the captured target 18 with ease.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment that has been described above, and hence, the invention can be modified variously without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. In the embodiment above, the game toy 10 with applying a ball as a target 18 is described. However, by drawing a picture on a surface of the target 18 representing such as a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog, the game toy 10 can be more realistic race game for the bun.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described heretofore, the game toy 10 according to the present invention is not only a game toy with which a player can capture a target in a shape representing a ball or the like with ease, but also an educational tool which allows a player to learn such as counting the captured targets. There can be provided an intellectual education tool as a game toy 10 which allows two players facing each other to have a chance to capture the target 18 alternately, whereby the players can keep their interests therein.

Claims

1. A game toy for capturing a target whose shape represents a ball or the like by operating at least one operating button, comprising:

at least one figure which opens its upper part while being raised by the operating button being depressed;
a target tray for storing a plurality of the target whose shapes represent the ball or the like which lies above the figure;
a rotating shaft for supporting to rotate the target tray; and
at least one catching portion for hanging one of the plurality of targets stored in the target tray, and
wherein by the operating button being depressed, the figure opens its upper part while being raised and by the operating button being released, the figure closes its upper part to capture the target of the catching portion while being lowered and also the target tray is rotated through a predetermined angle.

2. The game toy as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the figures comprise two figures which are arranged symmetrically on either side of the rotating shaft position as a center and two of the operating buttons are provided for operating each figure respectively.

3. The game toy as set forth in claim 2,

wherein when one of the plurality of targets is captured by the figure, other target stored in the target tray moves to the catching portion to thereby be hung.

4. The game toy as set forth in claim 2,

wherein the catching portions are each located on three positions respectively on a bottom portion of the target tray which lie adjacent to a periphery thereof at equal spaces and extend downwards therefrom, and the target tray is designed so as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the catching portions corresponds to a position right above one of the figures.

5. The game toy as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the catching portions are each located on three positions respectively on a bottom portion of the target tray which lie adjacent to a periphery thereof at equal spaces and extend downwards therefrom, and the target tray is designed so as to rotate and stop at a position where one of the catching portions corresponds to a position right above one of the figures.

6. The game toy as set forth in claim 2, wherein the game toy further comprises a target storage tray for storing the target captured by the figures.

7. The game toy as set forth in claim 3, wherein the game toy further comprises a target storage tray for storing the target captured by the figures.

8. The game toy as set forth in claim 4, wherein the game toy further comprises a target storage tray for storing the target captured by the figures.

9. The game toy as set forth in claim 5, wherein the game toy further comprises a target storage tray for storing the target captured by the figures.

10. The game toy as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target is made into a ball shape with a design drawn on a surface thereof representing such as a ball, a bun, a hamburger, or a hotdog.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120021666
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 19, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2012
Applicant: AGATSUMA CO., LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventor: Shinji TODOKORO (Tokyo)
Application Number: 13/186,318
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Figure (446/309)
International Classification: A63H 11/06 (20060101);