GAME DEVICE

Abstract

A game device includes first and second pieces, a toy body, and first to third piece input ports. The toy body includes a game board including first to third passages for the first and second pieces to pass through. The first to third passages extends parallel. First to third striking devices corresponds to the first to third passages respectively. The first striking device includes a first piece loading section at a bottom. The first striking device is configured to launch the first piece. First to third rooms are configured at prescribed intervals along the first passage. A first movable stopper is configured to allow the first piece to pass through, to block passing through toward the first striking device, and to retain the first piece at the first room. The first to third piece input ports correspond to the first to third passages respectively.

Claims

1. A game device comprising: first and second pieces; a toy body, and first to third piece input ports, the toy body including a game board including first to third passages for the first and second pieces to pass through, the first to third passages extending parallel in a direction, first to third striking devices corresponding to the first to third passages respectively, the first striking device including a first piece loading section at a bottom end of the first passage, the first striking device being configured to launch the first piece from the first piece loading section toward the first passage, first to third rooms configured at prescribed intervals along the first passage, fourth to sixth rooms configured at prescribed intervals along the second passage, seventh to ninth rooms configured at prescribed intervals along the third passage, the first to ninth rooms forming a grid, first to third movable stoppers configured below the first to third rooms respectively, the first movable stopper configured to allow the first piece to pass through from the first striking device, to block passing through toward the first striking device, and to retain the first piece at the first room, the first to third piece input ports corresponding to the first to third passages respectively, the first piece input port configured to receive the first piece from outside.

2. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising fourth to sixth piece input ports, and fourth to sixth striking devices, wherein the first to third piece input ports and the first to third striking devices are configured on a front side of the toy body, and the fourth to sixth piece input ports and the fourth to sixth striking devices are configured on a back side of the toy body.

3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pieces are disk shaped.

4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first movable stopper is configured to move out of the passage when the first piece is contacted from the striking device side.

5. The game device according to claim 4, wherein the first movable stopper includes a rotary stopper being configured to move up and down, the rotary stopper is configured to move downward so rotation thereof is blocked, to take a position that blocks the passage, and to move upward and rotate to move out from the passage.

6. The game device according to claim 4, further comprising a piece housing chamber being connected to the first to third of passages, and a piece ejection port being configured in the piece housing chamber to eject the first and second pieces from a top of the piece housing member, wherein the piece housing chamber is configured on a top part of the game board to house the first piece.

7. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising Third and fourth pieces being distinguishable from the first and second pieces visually.

8. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first striking device uses the leverage principle to launch the first piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a game device.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a toy body.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a striking device.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the internal structure of a game board.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotary stopper.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting structure of the rotary stopper.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the internal structure of a piece housing section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereafter, the game device of an embodiment of the disclosure is explained using the drawings.

Overview

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a game device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0018] The game device 100 is used for a piece alignment game, for example, and a toy body 20 has a structure in which a game board 40, on which 6 rows and 6 columns of squares are formed, is erected on a substantially rectangular solid base 30. Six striking devices 50 each are provided on the front and back of the base 30.

[0019] This game device 100 is for two players, and accordingly, a plurality of pieces 10 of at least two types that can be distinguished visually are provided.

[0020] In this game device 100, for example, using the striking devices 50, two players take turns striking and launching their own pieces 10 inputted from any piece input port 45 provided corresponding to the striking devices 50. Then they stop the piece 10 on a desired square.

[0021] By repeating this kind of action, for example, the player who lines up four or five of his or her pieces 10 consecutively in squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally is the winner.

Details

Pieces 10

[0022] The pieces 10 are made of plastic and formed in a disk shape. As the pieces 10, to be able to visually distinguish them, two types of pieces with mutually different colors are used. The colors are made to be different so opposing players can distinguish between their own and others' pieces 10.

[0023] The two types of pieces 10 also differ in the recess and projection shape of the end faces (main surface). This is to make it possible for players with color blindness to distinguish between their own and others' pieces 10 by touching.

Toy Body 20

A. General

[0024] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toy body 20. The toy body 20 has a plane-symmetrical structure on the front and back.

[0025] The toy body 20 has a structure in which the game board 40 is erected on the rectangular solid base 30. The game board 40 is plugged in and fixed in a groove of the base 30. Striking devices 50 are provided in the base 30.

B. Striking Devices 50

[0026] The striking devices 50 are provided in the base 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the striking device 50.

[0027] The striking device 50 is a lever that rotates around an axis (fulcrum) 50a as the center, where one end part is a pressing part (force point) 50b, and the other end part is a striking part (action point) 50c. By the player pushing and striking the pressing part 50b, this striking device 50 is configured to strike the piece 10 with the striking part 50c to launch it.

[0028] The striking devices 50 are arranged in parallel six each in the horizontal direction at the front and rear of the game board 40. The striking devices 50 on the front and back of the base 30 correspond one-to-one, and the corresponding striking devices 50 are provided facing each other.

C. Game Board 40

[0029] The game board 40 is configured in a flat plate shape, and is erected on the base 30. The game board 40 is configured including a piece loading section 40a, a piece insertion section 42, a piece detention section 43, and a piece housing section 44. The game board 40 is constituted from colored plastic, and is made so that only the squares are visible from the outside. However, the game board 40 may also be configured from transparent plastic.

a. Piece Loading Section 40a

[0030] FIG. 4 is a front view of the game board 40 in a state with the surface plate removed. Six passages 411 to 416 arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction and extending in the vertical direction are provided on this game board 40. The bottom end of each passage 41 (collective name for passages 411 to 416) is slightly narrowed, and this serves as the individual piece loading section for the pieces 10. The pieces 10 in the individual piece loading section can be struck by the corresponding striking devices 50 on the front and back.

b. Piece Insertion Section 42

[0031] The game board 40 is provided with piece insertion sections 42. The piece insertion sections 42 comprise a piece input port 45.

[0032] The corresponding piece input port 45 provided on the front and back of the game board 40 is connected to the individual piece loading section.

[0033] A total of twelve piece input ports 45 are provided on the front and back of the game board 40. The piece input ports 45 are formed projecting from the game board 40. A slit (not illustrated) is formed from the outer wall of each piece input port 45 to a wall of the individual loading section, so that pieces 10 once loaded into the individual loading section can be removed using fingers.

c. Piece Detention Section 43

[0034] In the piece detention section 43, six rooms are formed at equal intervals in the vertical direction along each passage 41 (collective name for passages 411 to 416). Each room constitutes one square. On the front and back surfaces of the game board 40, in the part corresponding to each room, a square opening 43a smaller than the piece 10 is formed (see FIG. 2). From each opening 43a, it is possible to directly view the piece 10 in the room (square), and it is possible to touch that piece 10. In FIG. 2, in light of drawing production issues, code number 43a is applied only to the openings corresponding to the passage 41 on the left edge of the game board 40.

d. Rotary Stopper 46

[0035] In each passage 41, one rotary stopper 46 each is provided at the bottom of each room (see FIG. 4). Each room is separated by this rotary stopper 46. In FIG. 4, in light of drawing production issues, the code number 46 is applied only to the rotary stoppers corresponding to the passages 41 at the left and right edges of the game board 40.

[0036] The rotary stoppers 46 allow the pieces 10 to pass through from below, and prevent the pieces 10 from passing through from above.

[0037] An enlarged perspective view of this rotary stopper 46 is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the mounting structure of the rotary stoppers 46.

[0038] The rotary stopper 46 has three triangular blade-shaped stoppers (movable stoppers) 46c formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of an equiangular triangular prism shaped hub 46b to which an axis 46a is attached. The axis 46a of the rotary stopper 46 is engaged with a long hole 47 that is formed on the side of the passage 41 and elongated in the vertical direction. The rotary stopper 46 is movable up and down along the long hole 47.

[0039] A locking section 47b in a L character shape in which the corner of the hub 46b can engage is formed at the bottom side of the long hole 47. Normally, the corner of the hub 46b engages with this locking section 47b by the weight of the rotary stopper 46. In this engaged state, rotation of the rotary stopper 46 is blocked. In this engaged state, the tip part of one stopper 46c projects in the passage 41. As a result, the piece 10 is blocked from passing through from above, and the piece 10 is held.

[0040] Meanwhile, when the piece 10 from below contacts the stopper 46c, the rotary stopper 46 is lifted up, and the engagement of the corner of the hub 46b by the locking section 47b is released. As a result, the rotary stopper 46 is in a rotatable state, is rotated by the rising piece 10, and the stopper 46c moves out from the passage 41, allowing the piece 10 to pass through.

e. Piece Housing Section 44

[0041] A flat piece housing chamber 44a is formed on the piece housing section 44. The passages 411 to 416 are connected to the piece housing chamber 44a. Pieces 10 that have risen up from the passages 41 are able to enter into this piece housing chamber 44a. When a piece 10 in the piece housing chamber 44a matches with any of the passages 41, if the room at the top level (square) of a given passage 41 is empty, the piece 10 can drop into that room.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, a ceiling 44b of the piece housing chamber 44a has an arch shape. When this piece housing chamber 44a is in a full state, at least two pieces 10 can be housed vertically directly above each passage 41. When calling a given piece 10 the directly above piece, at least two pieces 10 can be housed vertically between adjacent directly above pieces in a form skewed by a half pitch from the directly above piece.

[0043] In this way, the piece housing chamber 44a is of a size that can house a plurality of pieces 10 vertically, so is excellent for flowability of the pieces 10.

[0044] Of the floor of the piece housing chamber 44a, on the bottom part between adjacent passages 41 of the piece housing chamber 44a, a projection 44d is provided that rises to a height of approximately the radius of the piece 10.

[0045] This makes it easier to align the pieces 10 as shown in FIG. 7 and improves flowability.

[0046] At the top of the ceiling 44b of the piece housing chamber 44a, a piece ejection port 44c that opens on the top surface of the piece housing section 44 is formed. This makes it possible to eject all the pieces 10 inside the toy body 20 when toy body 20 is turned upside down.

[0047] At locations corresponding to the piece housing chamber 44a on the front and back of the piece housing section 44, the same number of regular hexagon openings 44e are formed as the number of pieces 10 that can be housed in the piece housing chamber 44a. From each opening 44e, it is possible to directly view the piece 10 in the piece housing chamber 44a, and possible to touch that piece 10. In FIG. 2, in light of drawing production issues, the code 44e is applied only to the openings at the left edge of the piece housing section 44.

How to Play

A. Piece Alignment Game

[0048] Two players alternately strike and launch one of their own pieces 10 inputted from any piece input port 45 using the corresponding striking device 50. The launched piece 10 is launched up to a height corresponding to the size of the striking force.

[0049] When the launched piece 10 does not reach the piece detention section 43, the piece 10 returns to the piece loading section. At this time, the piece 10 is again struck and launched using the striking device 50.

[0050] Meanwhile, when the launched piece 10 reaches the piece detention section 43 but does not get as far as the piece housing section 44, at locations of squares corresponding to the launching height, the piece 10 is held by the rotary stopper 46 of the piece detention section 43. When the launched piece 10 contacts a piece 10 that is already in the square, the first piece 10 is pushed up to the square at the level above or to the piece housing chamber 44a. The piece 10 pushed up to the piece housing chamber 44a drops into the square at the bottommost level of another passage 41. The piece 10 pushed up to the piece housing chamber 44a pushes another piece 10 already in the piece housing chamber 44a and drops into the topmost level square of another passage 41.

[0051] Furthermore, when the launched piece 10 reaches the piece housing section 44, that piece 10 may also drop into the topmost level square of another passage 41.

[0052] Working in this way, the player who lines up for or five of his own pieces 10 consecutively in vertical, horizontal, or diagonal squares wins.

B. Other Games

[0053] For a single player game, the player operates the striking devices 50 in a prescribed order to alternately strike two types of pieces 10, and when the same color pieces 10 line up in squares of the center row, the number of pieces used is counted, etc., to enjoy the game.

Effect of the Embodiments

[0054] The game device 100 configured in this way obtains the following kinds of effects.

[0055] Specifically, it is possible to select any piece input port 45 from among the plurality of piece input ports 45, and to strike one's own piece 10, making it possible to line up one's own pieces 10 consecutively in squares of the same column, making it possible to realize a game device 100 richer in strategic qualities.

[0056] There is the piece housing chamber 44a connected to the plurality of passages 41, making it possible to input pieces 10 from the piece housing chamber 44a side to the squares, and this point also makes it possible to realize the game device 100 richer in strategic qualities.

[0057] Using two types of pieces having different textures as the pieces 10, since it is possible to touch the pieces 10 inside the game board 40, it is possible for a player with color blindness to enjoy the game.

[0058] Since a coil spring or a torsion spring is not provided in the stopper 46c that holds the pieces 10, the number of components is small and assembly is easy.

[0059] Since the rotary stopper 46 is used, the dynamic resistance can be reduced, making it possible to launch and eject the pieces 10 higher.

[0060] The ceiling 44b of the pieced housing chamber 44a has an arch shape and the piece ejection port 44c is formed at the top, so if the toy body 20 is turned upside down, it is possible to easily eject the pieces 10 inside the toy body 20.

Modification Examples

[0061] Embodiments of the disclosure were explained, but the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible in a range that does not depart from the spirit of the invention.

[0062] For example, in the embodiments noted above, striking devices 50 that launch the pieces 10 using the leverage principle were provided, but it is also possible to configure having a spring energized by operating an operating element, and by releasing the hand off the operating element, to launch the pieces 10 by releasing the accumulated force.

[0063] In the embodiments noted above, disk shaped pieces were used as the pieces 10, but it is also possible to use spherical, cube shaped, or other three-dimensional pieces.

[0064] In the embodiments noted above, the ceiling 44b of the piece housing chamber 44a was made in an arch shape, and the piece ejection port 44c was provided in the top (center part), but the ceiling shape can also be a mountain shape, and the piece ejection port does not have to be in the center. The point is that all the pieces inside the toy body 20 can be ejected from the piece ejection port when the toy body 20 is turned upside down. In this case, for safety reasons, it is preferable to locate the piece ejection port away from directly above the passages 41 so that the pieces launched by striking using the striking devices 50 do not fly out from the piece ejection port.

[0065] In the embodiments noted above, the striking devices 50 were provided on the front and back of the toy body 20, but it is also possible to provide the striking devices 50 only on one of either the front or back.

Effect

[0066] According to the disclosure, it is possible to realize a game device richer in strategic qualities because it is possible for players to select any piece input port from among a plurality of piece input ports and strike their own pieces, so they can align their own pieces consecutively in squares of the same column (vertical).