MARBLE RAMP GAME
A marble jump game includes a base, a tube, a marble track, and a plurality of targets. The tube is configured to be removably secured to a corresponding tube of a receiving tube of a marble run module having a receiving tube. The tube defines an axial direction, and is supported at least indirectly by and above the base. The marble track is affixed to the tube, and extends from a first end to a marble exit. The marble track is configured such that when the axial direction is vertically oriented, a marble placed on the marble track proximate the first end traverses the marble channel and exits through the marble exit. Each target of the plurality of spaced-apart targets is with a game value. Each target has a fixed position relative to the others of the plurality spaced-apart targets.
The present invention is related to building toys, and more specifically, kits for designing and building marble run tracks.
BACKGROUNDMarble run toys known in the art have interconnecting track sections that may be arranged by a user in any of a plurality of designs. Once constructed, the track can define a downhill track through the various sections or modules. The interchangeable nature of the various module designs allow for the construction of many different marble run layouts.
In popular marble run kits, the vertical receiving tube 14 of each module is generally designed to directly physically connect to an exit tube 16 of an upstream module, thus allowing the marble to transition from module to module. In
In additional, the modules may have other tubes or structures 28 disposed under the vertical receiving tube 14 that connect to other structures that support the module from below. For example, the module 11D includes a tube structure 28 that is coupled to and supported by a number of vertical tubes 18. Similarly, the modules may have a bypass tube 30 disposed vertically above the exit tube 16 that may provide support as well as an alternative marble input.
The modules 11A-11E are supported above one or more base modules or bases 34. The bases 34 includes a rimmed platform 34a and a base tube 34b. The base tube 34b has a vertical receiving tube, not shown, but which has the same structure as the receiving tube 14 and thus is configured to engage and removably couple to the exit tubes 16 and other tube structures 28 of other modules. In typical play, at least some of the modules 11A-11E are supported from below at different vertical heights by different numbers of vertical tubes 18 coupled to the bases 34. The bases 34 may suitably have an exit opening 34c such that any marble receive in the base tube 34b exits onto the platform 34a through the exit opening 34c. In typical play, the platform 34a of one of the bases 34 is the final destination of the marble in the layout 10.
Like many construction toys, the marble run kits currently available allow for creative play by enabling the user to construct the marble run (or multiple runs) in a multitude of configurations. The activity of building marble runs is largely noncompetitive, and can be easily carried out in a solo play or cooperative play environment. While noncompetitive nature of building marble runs is one of its advantages, competitive games are also a great source of entertainment.
It would therefore be advantageous to use the structural features of marble run kits to play a game that involves the use of marble run modules.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAt least some embodiments of the invention provide the above-stated advantages by providing a game in which one or more marbles are placed on a marble run ramp module that can be aimed to direct marbles through the air toward a set of targets, wherein the targets have point values.
A first embodiment is a marble jump game that includes a base, a tube, a marble track, and a plurality of targets. The tube is configured to be removably secured to a corresponding tube of a receiving tube of a marble run module having a receiving tube. The tube defines an axial direction, and is supported at least indirectly by and above the base. The marble track is affixed to the tube, and extends from a first end to a marble exit. The marble track is configured such that when the axial direction is vertically oriented, a marble placed on the marble track proximate the first end traverses the marble channel and exits through the marble exit. Each target of the plurality of spaced-apart targets is with a game value. Each target has a fixed position relative to the others of the plurality spaced-apart targets.
A second embodiment is a marble run ramp module that includes a marble track and a tube. The tube is configured to be removably secured to a corresponding tube of a receiving tube of a marble run module. The tube defines an axial direction. The marble track is affixed to the tube, and extends from a first end to a marble exit. The marble track is configured such that when the axial direction is vertically oriented, a marble placed on the marble track proximate the first end traverses the marble track and exits through the marble exit such that the marble travels through the air at a vertical height equal to or exceeding a first vertical height of the exit marble exit for at least two inches with respect to a horizontal direction extending away from the first end and the marble exit.
Another embodiment is a related method of playing a game using a marble run module and a plurality of targets.
The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
In this embodiment, the tube 102 is supported on the base 106 via a plurality of spacer tubes 110. The spacer tubes 110 may suitably be those known in the art, such as those having the structure described above in connection the vertical tubes 18 of
To this end, the marble track 104 comprises a downward sloped portion 118 and a launch portion 120. Both the downward sloped portion 118 and launch portion 120 have a U-shaped cross section that forms a channel or race in which a standard play marble (e.g. marble 50 of
In this embodiment, the most or all of the downward sloping portion 118 has a substantially constant slope of between −0.5 to −1.2 for at least 20 centimeters. The launch portion 120 includes a slight curve at the transition from the bottom of the downward sloping portion 118 to the upward trajectory at the marble exit 114. While the downward sloping portion 118 has a substantially constant slope, it will be appreciated that the downward sloping portion in other embodiments could have varying slopes, albeit with the first average slope still falling in the range of −0.5 to −1.2. Such average slopes balance the competing requirements of acceleration and control.
For example,
Referring again to
The inclusion of the vertical receiving tube 122 and the connecting tube 124 allow the marble ramp module 103 to be easily integrated into a more complex marble run such as, for example, a marble run formed with many of the elements of
Referring again to
The target assembly 107 includes the platform 128 and a box structure 130 in which the platform 128 may be removably disposed. The box structure 130 has side walls 132, 134, a front wall 136 and a rear wall 138.
In the example of
To increase the strategy involved in the game, in the embodiment of
A method of playing a game using the marble jump game 100 includes one or more players trying to acquire game values associated with the targets 108 by engaging the targets with marbles. In the example of
To play the game, the plurality of targets 108 is positioned, preferably on a flat surface such as a floor or table top. In this embodiment, positioning the plurality of targets 108 comprises positioning the target assembly 107, which can include placing the platform 128 in a raised position in the box structure 130 and placing the box structure 130 in a desired location. As discussed above, each target 108 associated with a corresponding value in the game. In this embodiment, different targets 108 can have different values, but two or more targets can have the same value.
The marble ramp module 103 is likewise positioned. In this embodiment, the marble ramp module 103 is preferably vertically positioned above the level of the targets 108 by using an appropriate amount of spacer tubes 110 between the base 106 and the tube 102, and/or by otherwise elevating the marble ramp module 103. The marble ramp 103 is horizontally positioned (i.e. aimed) by each player such that the exit direction B corresponds to the position of at least one of the targets 108.
More specifically, as shown in the embodiment of
Once the relative positioning of the module 103 and the targets 108 is set, the player makes an attempt to hit one or more targets 108 by disposing a marble on the marble track 104 such that marble rolls on the marble track 104 and through the marble exit 114. After passing through the marble exit 114, the marble travels through the air toward at least one of the plurality of targets 108.
In the exemplary game set up of
If the marble engages one of the targets 108, then the game value associated with the engaged target would be assigned to the player. For example, if marble 50 enters the hole 142 of
In another example, each target 108 could be assigned a symbol, such as a playing card value, and each player might try to obtain the best poker hand by trying to hit different targets 108. The marble jump game 100 can thus be adapted to different rule sets in which a player (or team) is assigned a value corresponding to a target 108 hit by the launched marble 50.
It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the launch portion 120 may not have an upward slope, but may simply have a different average slope than the downward sloped portion 118. In other embodiments, the targets 108 may take other forms, such as those based on contact, like a bell or electronic actuator or light switch. Clearly, the number of targets 108 can be modified for different variants of the game.
As noted above, the inclusion of the vertical receiving tube 122 at the first end 112 of the marble track 104 allows for the possibility of building an elaborate marble run from commercially available pieces to feed into the receiving tube 122. Indeed, some gameplay could involve multiple marble track modules 103. It will further be appreciated that the game play involving the targets and scoring may be carried out with marble run modules of other types that have an aimable marble exit.
It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative, and that those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations and modifications that incorporate the principles of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.
Claims
1. A method of playing a game, comprising:
- a) positioning a plurality of targets, each target associated with a corresponding value in the game;
- b) positioning a marble run module having a marble track having a marble exit and defining an exit direction, such that the exit direction corresponds to a position of at least a first target of the plurality of targets;
- c) disposing, by a first player, a marble in the marble channel such that marble rolls through the marble channel and marble exit, and travels through the air toward at least one of the plurality of targets; and
- d) assigning the value associated with the at least one of the plurality of targets if the marble engages the at least one of the plurality of targets.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of targets includes a plurality of holes in a platform, and wherein step d) further comprises assigning the value associated with the at least one of the plurality of targets if the marble engages the at least one of the plurality of targets by passing through a first hole defining the at least one of the plurality of targets.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the platform includes indicia proximate each of the plurality of holes, each of the indicia representative of the value in the game associated with a proximate one of the plurality of holes.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the value in the game is a numerical point value, and wherein each of the plurality of holes is associated with one of a plurality of numerical point values.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein step a) further comprises positioning the platform such that the platform is disposed against at least one wall extending above a vertical level of the platform.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the value in the game is a numerical point value, and wherein each of the plurality of targets is associated with one of a plurality of numerical point values.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a first target is larger than a second target, and the second target has a second numerical point value that is greater than a first numerical point value associated with the first target.
8. A marble run ramp module, comprising:
- a tube configured to be removably secured to a corresponding tube of a marble receiving tube of a marble run module having a receiving tube, the tube defining an axial direction;
- a marble track affixed to the tube that extends from a first end to a marble exit, the marble track configured such that when the axial direction is vertically oriented, a marble placed on the marble track proximate the first end traverses the marble track and exits through the marble exit such that the marble travels through the air at a vertical height equal to or exceeding a first vertical height of the exit marble exit for at least two inches with respect to a horizontal direction extending away from the first end and the marble exit.
9. The marble run ramp module of claim 8, wherein the marble track further comprises a downward sloped portion and a launch portion, wherein the downward sloped portion extends generally at a first average slope with respect to the horizontal direction, and wherein at least a part of the launch portion extends from the downward sloped portion at a second average slope with respect to the horizontal direction.
10. The marble run ramp module of claim 9, wherein the downward sloped portion includes a substantially constant sloped portion having a length of at least twenty centimeters.
11. The marble run ramp module of claim 9, wherein the second average slope is positive with respect to the first horizontal direction.
12. The marble run ramp of claim 9, wherein the tube extends below the downward sloped portion such that the axial direction extends through the marble track.
13. The marble run ramp module of claim 8, further comprising a vertical receiving tube configured to engage an exit tube of a different marble run module.
14. The marble run ramp module of claim 8, wherein the tube extends below the marble channel such that the axial direction extends through the marble channel.
15. A marble jump game, comprising:
- a base;
- a tube configured to be removably secured to a corresponding tube of a receiving tube of a marble run module having a receiving tube, the tube defining an axial direction, the tube supported at least indirectly by and above the base;
- a marble track affixed to the tube and extending from a first end to a marble exit, the marble track configured such that when the axial direction is vertically oriented, a marble placed proximate in the marble channel proximate the first end traverses the marble track and exits through the marble exit;
- a plurality of spaced-apart targets, each target associated with a game value, each target having a fixed position relative to the others of the plurality spaced-apart targets.
16. The marble jump game of claim 15, further comprising a platform having a plurality of holes therethrough defining the plurality of spaced-apart targets.
17. The marble jump game of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of walls extending upward from at least a portion of the perimeter of the platform.
18. The marble jump game of claim 16, wherein the platform includes indicia proximate each of the plurality of holes, each of the indicia representative of the value in the game associated with a proximate one of the plurality of holes.
19. The marble jump game of claim 15, further comprising at least one spacer tube configured to be coupled between the base and the tube.
20. The marble jump game of claim 15, wherein the marble channel further comprises a downward sloped portion and a launch portion, wherein the downward sloped portion extends generally at a first average slope with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and wherein at least a part of the launch portion extends from the downward sloped portion at a second average slope with respect to the horizontal direction.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2021
Inventor: Jeffrey Forgrave (Indianapolis, IN)
Application Number: 16/784,910