Abstract: The optical ball sensor consists of an optical sensor consisting of a light emitter and light detector mounted on a printed circuit board. Light from the emitter is transmitted through a light pipe across the path of travel of the ball and through another light pipe back to the detector. When a rolling pinball interrupts the light beam, a signal is delivered to the game microprocessor. The microprocessor can be programmed to respond to the signal in any number of ways, for example, the microprocessor can score points, initiate other play features and the like.

Abstract: A hip mounted polo-like game suitable for both indoor and outdoor activity including a belt for placement about the hips of a player. A playing ball is free to move on a playing surface. A tethered ball is attached to the belt so that movement of the players hips will cause the tethered ball to move relative to the playing surface for purpose of striking the playing ball toward a goal.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for playing a hand-eye coordination game, a plank and "Ping Pong" type ball are provided. The plank has a hole at an end near the handle and another hole at the opposing end. The object of the game is to maneuver a ball from the hole near the handle to the opposing end and back, thereby completing a "walk on the plank", without touching the ball or having the ball fall off of the plank. Variations include apertures within the plank, pegs selectively inserted in the apertures, and playing surfaces of a planar and a non-planar construction. The player's manual dexterity is enhanced by playing the game.

Abstract: A game board supplied with removable indicia for altering the configuration of the game board to facilitate the playing of multiple games. A sloped surface for rolling a ball is disposed between an outer annulus having a top face and a circular disk concentric therewith having a top face and a scalloped vertical wall for receiving the ball, wherein the top faces of the annulus and the disk receive the removable indicia.

Abstract: A combination game apparatus is provided having a housing with a plurality of settable dials each having indicia thereon. Setting the correct combination on the game dials provides an output for indicating when a correct input combination has been set on the settable dials. The combination setting members are used for changing the combination necessary to indicate the correct input combination for unlocking the combination. The combination setting system includes a plurality of input members each having a combination setting, such as a coded opening in a flat card. Each combination setting member is placed in a covering sleeve so that it may be inserted into the game apparatus from the covered sleeves so that the combination being set cannot be seen by the players. The game may include a ball which is raised in a lift and dropped into a ball track where it passes through an opening in the track as determined by the first dial which determines which of a plurality of ball chutes the ball will move in.

Abstract: A ball conveying game apparatus including a plurality of ball support portions provided on a vertical game board surface, a protrusible and retractable plunger provided at at least one of the ball support members, and a manual operating member such as a pressing member linked on an operational basis to the ball support member through a predetermined interlocking mechanism so that a ball can be transferred from one to another of the ball support members along a ball moving course by operating the manual operating member. The ball is conveyed from a starting point to a goal point by a plurality of choosable ball moving courses arranged in the ball moving course. Selection from among the choosable ball moving courses is made by operating the manual operating member. In playing the ball conveying game apparatus, therefore, a player is required to dexterously manipulate the manual operating member. Various ways of playing are possible.

Abstract: A miniature courtyard apparatus provides a slanted lane for rolling a ball. A generally planar plate forms the floor. Legs are mounted to the lower surface of the plate adjacent to the rear edge for elevating the rear edge of the plate at a slope of about ten percent. The wall is fixedly attached to the plate to extend upwardly from the rear edge and a portion of the left and the right edges for preventing a ball rolled on the plate from travelling beyond the associated edges. The plate extends beyond the wall adjacent to the front edge. A bridge or cover is mounted on the wall to extend over the rear edge of the plate between the left and right edges. A bell is suspended from the cover generally centrally between the left and right edges in a position to be contacted by the ball when rolled along the plate upper surface. A resilient fabric covers the front edge of the plate. Canes may be mounted to the sides of the front to provide support to a user. The ball may be tethered to the ramp.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support table, including an outer wall spaced from an inner wall defining a trough therebetween for containing marbles projected from a central playing surface. The central playing surface includes an annular abutment wall arranged in surrounding relationship relative thereto to maintain marbles within the central playing surface. A modification of the invention includes a magnetic member rotatably mounted underlying the table and radially adjustable relative thereto to effect deflection of ferrous metallic marbles projected on the playing surface in cooperation with non-ferrous metallic marbles.

Abstract: A transportable playing court, having non-ball-confining boundaries. A target ball and a plurality of server player balls and non-server player balls are provided. During play, the players attempt to throw the balls onto the court, within the boundaries thereof, such that the closest ball to the target ball, within a playing zone, scores points. A ball distance measuring device is provided for indicating the distance between a player ball and the target ball. The measuring device includes indicia for permitting a quick determination of the distance between the two balls, according to the rules of the game. According to a handicapping method, a more skilled player can be held to a higher standard of performance than a less skilled opponent, so that the opponent may score even if his or her ball is not literally closer to the target ball.

Abstract: A section of the play field is changed during play by replacing components mounted thereon with different components. In other words, the section of the play field is replaced with a new section. Preferably this is done by rotating the section of the play field to expose different components that were previously stored below the play field surface. In a preferred embodiment the section of the play field is coupled by a slip clutch to a continuously running motor, and a solenoid operated catch mechanism stops rotation of the section of the play field when it is approximately parallel to the rest of the play field surface. To change the components included in the play field, the solenoid is energized to release the catch and thereby permit rotation of the section of the play field by approximately 180 degrees.

Abstract: An outdoor game for family and friends gathered in a yard having a one-story garage roof or porch roof. The slanting, shingled roof is used to locate a plurality of traps to interrupt the descent of a ball thrown to the top area of the roof. The traps may be interspersed with diversion shields also distributed on the roof and located by flat plates inserted under shingle flaps. Baffle plates at the top of the roof are provided to prevent overthrow of the ball. A retriever shaft and arm can be used to remove the balls from the traps after a cycle of play. The traps can be provided with score indicia to allow scoring of a game by one or more players.

Abstract: A mechanical game device for use with rolling balls. The device includes a base block with a plurality of ball receiver pockets that are visible to the player. Located in the base block are a plurality of code blocks adapted for selective insertion in the base block in interchangeable side-by-side relation. Each block has a column of vertical holes that align with the vertical holes of adjacent code blocks to form rows of holes, one hole of each row being a code hole. The base block and code blocks define a number of concealed passages or race means adapted to guide balls through the device to one of a plurality of receiver pockets.

Abstract: A slot game utilizing coins provides an enclosed partially transparent case having at an upper end thereof input slots for placing coins into each of a plurality of vertical columns. At the lower end is positioned a coin retrieval slot the allows removal of the coins upon pulling of a handle. Between the uppermost and lowermost points on the case are disposed a plurality of horizontal rows of blocks and slots. The slots are sized to receive coins of a predetermined size. The blocks and slots of each row are individually movable horizontally to allow movement of the coins between columns, thus, facilitating passage of coins in the slots from upper to lower rows. Each row of blocks and slots may be operated for horizontal movement individually by means of slides projecting from the case along one side of its face.

Abstract: A carnival or amusement park game in which a player is challenged to keep a rolling ball to its objective descending, planar, zig-zag path by manipulating the rotation of the plane of the path. The game may be further enhanced by providing rotational steering alternatives, providing for coin operation, or by providing a device to record or signal the event of a successful play.

Abstract: Apparatus including a multi-sectioned trough like organization directing impacted croquet balls from a starting position defined by a series of aligned recesses. Guide plates direct a struck croquet ball through a medial section of the apparatus and directs such croquet ball into one of a matrix of apertures overlying a return chute. Replaceable impediments are provided in the organization to include resilient bumpers defined as semi-cylindrical arcuate members mounted upon the surface of the organization to be selectively replaced by deflector rods and or deflector plates.

Abstract: An overhead spinner assembly, adapted to be mounted on a game in which a projectile is caused to move about a playing surface, includes a spinner for deflecting the movement of the projectile contacting the same, drive means for rotating the spinner in a plane parallel to and slightly above the game playing surface, and a support for mounting the spinner and the drive on the game with the drive above the game playing surface.

Abstract: A game board comprising a bottom, and a false bottom supported on the bottom by spacers, barriers on the false bottom providing spaces defining entrances to pockets. Pairs of swingable arms swingably supported on the false bottom to project marbles toward another entrance and to guard marbles from entering the spaces between the barriers, whereby marbles passing said arms into said pockets are lost to certain players.

Abstract: A flipper game apparatus comprises an inclined playing surface on which are disposed switches adapted to be operated by balls rolling over the playing surface and encountering the switches. A ball is introduced on to the playing surface by a respective player and rolls down the playing surface towards the outlets, passing the striker switches as they do so. The outlets are flanked by flippers which can be actuated by a respective player. So that two players can play at the same time and in mutual interreaction, the game uses balls of first and second different types, while operatively associated with at least some switches is a sensor which is responsive only to one type of ball. A circuit distinguishes the types of balls from each other upon actuation of a switch, by means of the respective sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a ball game, comprising a playing surface, a plurality of balls having an eccentric distribution of mass, and means for initiating rolling movement of the balls in a way which preserves the orientation of the eccentricity of mass distribution of the ball with respect to a rolling axis thereof.

Abstract: A special game board designed for the practice of a game of bowls which associates some aspects of the games of petanque and/or billiards more particularly. The board has a rectangular horizontal plate mounted on legs and edged along its two longitudinal sides with lateral bands or banks, extending above the plate and provided with a padding or similar structure of a resilient material. On at least one of the lateral sides, with a bowl collecting trough, on the plate defined a quadrangular game area extending in the plate half portion provided with the trough. The table is covered with a shock and noise absorbent resilient material which allows the bowls to run and is installed between 40 and 50 cm. A shock and noise absorbing band made up of a curtain is provided on the outer side of each trough.

Abstract: A slot ball game wherein balls are rolled up a slightly inclined surface having at least one elongated slot formed therein defining a target having an opening of sufficient width and length to receive and "trap" a plurality of balls. The opening of the slot target automatically decreases in size as the balls are trapped therein which makes the game more difficult as the game progresses. Numbers may be provided adjacent the length of the slot target for scoring purposes, and a ball ejector may be incorporated with the game for selectively releasing the trapped balls.

Abstract: A game assembly includes a plurality of toy blocks or cubes containing passsageways which are strategically stacked so as to determine the path of a ball dropped through interconnecting passageways within the arrays of stacked blocks or cubes. The blocks or cubes may be strategically reoriented during play so as to change the path of a ball dropped through the blocks or cubes. The game involves inspecting and/or memorizing moves made by the players taking part in the game, as well as geometric orientation of the blocks or cubes, so as to define a desired path for a ball which is dropped through the stack. A collection plate below is marked with certain designated areas, preferably in color and each player tries to get as many balls as possible through the stack and into his designated area or to predict the exact location for each ball.

Abstract: A hand-held miniature snowman game, or toy comprises a transparent see-through cover, and a solid-colored base, containing three different diameter white balls within and having a ramp for the balls to roll up on while unit is held in an upright position, and a singular stake for the balls to fall in sequence to create a minature snowman large ball to go on stake first then medium ball to go on second and smallest ball to go on stake last. There are three different versions, the only difference is the amount of holes in each of the white balls, also is a round rule disk mounted at the lower part of the unit. A game or toy for 5 year old children and on up to all ages including adults.

Abstract: An action target for a marble game includes a base supportable on a playing surface, for dividing the playing surface into two playing areas, a movable arm pivotally mounted to the base and swingable between positions in each of the two playing areas, a target on the arm extending laterally therefrom into each of the two playing areas when the arm is aligned with the base, and an indicator responsive to movement of the arm past a preselected point in each of the two playing areas for signalling a victory by one player.

Abstract: A toy game educational and/or therapeutic possibilities comprising a translucent or transparent elongated cylindrical member having a hollow extending longitudinally through the member and a partition disposed in the hollow which extends radially between the interior walls of the member and along the elongated length of the member which divides the hollow into a pair of elongated, parallel but separated spaces. An end cap is included on each end of the cylindrical member which encloses the hollow and a plurality of distinct balls clearly disposed in a random order in at least one of the spaces of the hollow for rolling movement along the elongated length of the cylindrical member between the partition and the curved wall of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A game apparatus incorporates a random result generator into the playing surface itself, and includes a game board having a perimeter, a plurality of corners, a plurality of playing sections, and a center area. A boundary extends generally around the perimeter of the playing surface, but interior of the corners. A plurality of section dividing lines, each defining a diminishing-radius curve extending from the boundary towards the center area, divide that portion of the playing surface into a plurality of playing sections, each bearing indicia corresponding to a play result. Players roll game pieces from the playing surface corners towards the playing sections, so that the game piece comes to rest on one playing section, thus generating a result indicia for that roll. The player then draws a single card from the group of cards bearing that same result indicia, and asks the question printed on that card.

Abstract: A multi-positionable arrangement of substantially parallel bars which form a substantial track for a ball and for disposing the track to a position accessible to the feet, legs, hands and arms of the body to be exercised. The bars are adjustably spaced apart to provide for adjustment of contact engagement with ball surface so that repeated stroking of the ball on the track path requires striking contact at a particular point on the ball surface and thereby exercise of some specific body muscles and reflexes.

Abstract: A game is played on a table having a polygonal playing surface from which an elongated rolling area extends, and spaced apart pockets are located in the perimeter of the playing surface, the pockets extending beneath the playing surface communicating with channels for returning balls to one end of the table. Balls are projected by hand onto the table in a game in which the winning ball, which may be marked with a numerical value, is the ball which remains closest to a zero ball situated at a predetermined point on the table at the start of the game. The equipment may be coin-operated.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing marbles comprising a surface for supporting a plurality of marbles, the surface extending from a front end of the apparatus and terminating before a back wall of the apparatus. A chute for capturing marbles that are propelled off the back end of the surface is provided. The chute includes a back wall, a pair of side walls, a top plate, and an inclined plate extending from the top wall to the back wall. The apparatus includes an inclined floor for returning marbles from the chute to the front end of the apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-positionable arrangement of substantially parallel bars which form a substantial track for a ball having mounting means for disposing the track to a position accessible to the feet, legs, hands and arms of the body to be exercised and means for spacing the bars apart to provide for adjustment of contact engagement with ball surface so that repeated stroking of the ball on the track path requires striking contact at a particular point on the ball surface and thereby exercise of some specific body muscles and reflexes.

Abstract: A hockey-type game as disclosed wherein the players attempt to propel a playing piece into the opposing players' diagonally positioned goal opening and further including a plurality of inner walls extending inwardly from the side and end walls and including a centrally positioned diamond shaped central wall arrangement wherein a plurality of the inner walls include passageways therein. In one embodiment the playing surface is attached to the outer wall while in the more versatile embodiment, the game may be placed on any hard, flat surface.

Abstract: A table for playing marble games thereon employing target marbles of diameter X and one or more taws of diameter Y wherein Y is greater than X, the table having a base supporting a circular horizontal playing board, a circular horizontal top ring supported concentrically above the playing board and of an interior diameter less than the diameter of the playing board and of an exterior diameter greater than the playing board, the lower surface of the top ring being spaced above the top surface of the playing board a distance greater than X and less than Y providing a circumferential slot, a marble guide supported below the playing board and providing a generally frustoconical configured downwardly inclined upper surface to a central opening so that target marbles passing through the circumferential slot roll downwardly on the marble guide and out the central opening to a marble collection box positioned below the marble guide central opening for receiving the target marbles whereby they may be recovered for rep

Abstract: A court game has a plurality of spots on which duckpin shaped "S"-balls are initially positioned in a pattern relative to a greater plurality of pins in a pattern. Players in turn try to score points by caroming a soft rubber ball off an "S"-ball and striking with the caromed soft rubber ball a pin, in a way like billiards. To improve probability of doing so, the player may elect to shift the "S"-ball closer to a pin by throwing a special bat at it, even though throwing a bat costs a score penalty. Pins for soft-court use and for paved or hard court use are described.

Abstract: A game, using croquet-type balls corralled in an area of rebounder-type side rails, that can be assembled on any conventional rug or floor in which a taw ball is struck with a mallet to knock one's designated team balls, plus a "queen" ball, out of corral archway openings to gain points.

Abstract: A pool-type marble game having a round rotatable game board, a pivotable and rotatable support structure including a central hub having five legs extending radially therefrom for supporting said game board from either a table top or another type support surface, a central scoring marble containing area, a shooting line larger than said marble area and surrounding same, a vertical rim around the periphery of the game board spaced therefrom to provide a marble collection recess or slot therearound, and appropriate scoring indicia or numbers adjacent the collection recess or slot. Another embodiment of the invention incorporates a hydraulic lift for the rotatable support mechanism, as well as a sloping ball return alleyway to lead the expended scoring marbles back to a common collection point. In addition, a coin operated collection box may be incorporated so that the game device can be used in game arcades and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to a rolling sphere or sliding disk game, played on a generally hexagonal playing surface; wherein, a plurality of elongated mallets are disposed on the opposite ends of the game board, and the goals are positioned at the normal juncture of the angled sides. In addition, the playing surface is further provided with obstructions that limit the horizontal arc that the individual mallets can traverse on the playing surface.

Abstract: A didactic game wherein a number of balls are allowed to roll by gravity along a guide channel on a play plate. The guide channel has bifurcations controlled by switch means provided with manual control members for selecting the trajectory of each ball and direct the same towards a specific nest of a plurality of nests arranged at the outlet of the ramifications of the guide channel. All switch means of the same order are connected to a single collective control member. The two positions of each control means are designed by the digits 0 and 1, which, read from the top towards the bottom, indicate in binary numeration the progressive number of the nest made reachable by the ball. This progressive number is marked in decimal numeration in the nests. The game may be used, in addition to play purposes, also for explicating and fix in the memory the practice of translating numbers from one to the other system of numeration.

Abstract: A game apparatus for playing a lawn game of entertainment comprises a plurality of generally upright targets, a plurality of balls, and a plurality of mallets for striking the balls. In addition, a plurality of boundary stakes are used to establish the boundaries of play on a playing surface. Each target has a base and an elongated upright, with the base being positioned on the playing surface or lawn and the upright formed to be retained slidably in a generally vertical position on an upwardly extending portion of the base. Preferably, each player of the game has three balls and a mallet, which is used for striking the balls to selectively advance each ball across the playing surface and into contact with selected uprights. Each upright is retained slidably on its base to normally be maintained against tipping, but when a ball contacts the upright with sufficient force, the upright tips and slides off of the base onto the playing surface.

Abstract: A marble playing court has a mat of a firm flexible material having a portion thereof indicating a marble shooting ring, and a peripheral edge, and at least the portion of the surface of the mat within the marble shooting ring has a surface texture simulating dirt. The playing court further includes a plurality of border members around the periphery of the mat, the base of the border members being an extension of the upper surface of the mat, and the border members further having on the outer edge thereof an upwardly and inwardly extending marble blocking wall. The ends of the border members abut and are interlocked with the ends of the adjacent member to form a frame completely enclosing the mat.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a circular mat providing a smooth, non-friction surface for rollably supporting marbles and a border mat about the edge of the circular mat having cooperative edge regions overlapping each other so that the edge of the circular mat defines a circular marble collection area with a raised barrier carried on the border mat. The circular mat and border are coaxially disposed with respect to each other. Obstacles reside beneath the mats to provide sloping barriers for affecting travel of marbles across the mat surfaces.

Abstract: A curved ball court having a raised part extending from the front of the court towards the central region of the court, a concave playing surface at each side of the raised part, a vertical curved rear wall, the rear wall and the concave playing surfaces being connected by a parabolic curve.

Abstract: A floor-hockey carom corner comprises a pair of hinged members, which are adapted to form a 90-degree corner while supported against a floor surface in a cushioned, nonskid manner; inside portions of the hinged members remote from the hinge having arcuately hollowed portions, through which a member of a flexible sheet material, suitably bent or curved, is affixed to the hinged members to complete the structure. Advantages in terms of more realistic action, greater safety, eliminating unnecessary delays, and greater player satisfaction, are obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for playing a game using a ball as a player piece movable over the upper surface of a gameboard having side and end walls. The ball is propelled over the gameboard surface by a paddle or a striking member which is hand-held and has a hole through it for sighting the ball before the ball is struck. The gameboard has a plurality of spaced pins projecting upwardly from the upper surface thereof to present obstacles which can be struck with a ball as it is propelled forwardly. A pair of goals are at opposite ends of the gameboard, the goals being defined by wickets. Preferably, the ball is of metal and each goal has a magnet behind the corresponding wicket to attract the ball after it enters the wicket. A layer of fabric material covers the upper surface of the gameboard and the inwardly facing surfaces of the side and end walls. The material has a pile or fuzziness which allows uniform movement of the ball over the gameboard surface without the need for leveling the gameboard.

Abstract: An educational marble game in which players project spherical playing pieces--marbles--on a textured game board carpet on which indicia are presented having unnamed geographical significance, such as a map of the United States, subdivided into the various subdivisions, such as states. By playing the game, the players enjoy the challenge of the manual dexterity of projecting the marbles along with the benefit of naming and learning geographical facts simultaneously and in combination.

Abstract: A system for use by at least one player-contestant characterized by a ball, a plurality of portable, three-sided targets adapted to be positioned in a mutually spaced relationship on a playing surface for designing the course, each of the targets being characterized by a pair of adjacently related portals arranged in horizontally converging planes and suitably dimensioned for accommodating a passage of the ball therethrough; and at least one mallet for accommodating a striking of the ball by a player-contestant for propelling the ball in rolling motion along the playing surface and through the portals, said mallet being characterized by an elongated head and a handle projected perpendicularly from the head for accommodating a grasping of the end portion thereof, the ends of said head being characterized by a planar surface of an area less than the cross-sectional area of the mallet head, whereby free swinging of the mallet is accommodated.

Abstract: A game apparatus for two players wherein each player stands at an opposite end of a playing surface with two paddles and tries to hit a steel ball through his opponent's goal. The apparatus comprises the planar playing surface; a support for the playing surface to position it at about elbow height; retaining walls about the playing surface; goal boards defining goal openings; and a transparent shield to protect players from the steel ball.

Abstract: A game comprises a group of adjacent blocks, each having generally a semi-spherical recession in its upper surface and an eccentrically weighted ball having a diameter substantially the same as that of the recessions. Through holes defined in the bottom of the blocks are sized to permit a player's fingers to extend therethrough to try to manipulate the ball so that it is moved from block to block in a prescribed order.

Abstract: The invention comprises a game apparatus for two or more players comprising a first and a second home plate spaced from one another for a first and a second player. Each of the first and second home plates has plural supports positioned therein for removably supporting a cross bar. Each of the first and second players is provided with a bat to guard the cross bar of the respective home plate. The first player pitches a rolling ball to the second player, whereat the second player attempts to hit the ball and prevent the ball from displacing the cross bar from the plural supports.

Abstract: A bowling game of inexpensive construction and simple rules particularly suitable for playing by the elderly and handicapped. A plurality of targets are pivotally suspended from a supporting frame, the targets pivoting upon being struck by a rolled ball. The frame includes a ball stop and ball retainer, and wing members pivotally mounted upon the frame are movable between a stored position within the frame configuration and an oblique permanently extending position to aid in guiding the balls into the frame. The frame also includes ball storage means, and a frame mounted target immobilizer bar is employed to hold the targets stationary during handling of the apparatus.

Abstract: An artificial grass mat is employed with glass marbles or small plastic balls for playing standard marbles, modified pool or table croquet. In all cases, the marbles or balls are propelled by knuckle or finger action without the use of mallets or cue sticks. Croquet wickets and goal posts are fabricated from readily bendable pipe cleaners and are anchored to plastic mounting plates which lie beneath the playing mat. The wickets and posts are received removably through slits and openings in the grass mat enabling the mat to be used selectively for at least three different forms of games. A safe rack formed of flexible plastic is employed for racking marbles or balls in the pool game. A perimeter netting on a supporting board or table structure confines marbles or balls to a shallow trough or gutter area surrounding the playing mat.