Patent US2285675A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3642280A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3642280A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simulated football game apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-07-17
•
Granted: 1972-02-15
•
Expires: 1989-07-17
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to apparatus for playing a game that will simulate either American football or British rugby. The game is played on a board inclined to the horizontal with a ball free to move by gravity over the board. Curb means are provided for retaining and guiding the ball as are symmetrical propulsion means actuated by two players, for example, to propel the ball towards outlet apertures or goals. Means are provided also for removing the ball and bringing it back into play. According to the invention, there is an upper outlet aperture on the board which leads through a passage along an inclined plane and there is also a lower outlet aperture which opens below the upper aperture and leads through another passage along an inclined plane: furthermore, movable closure means are provided to control access to both these apertures, these closure means being operable by the players to take up one of two alternative positions, i.e. a raised position leaving open the lower outlet aperture and partially closing the upper aperture and a lower position in which the lower aperture is entirely closed while the upper aperture is entirely open.
Inventors
- 👤 Edouard Llorens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:27
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
In apparatus for playing a game of skill simulating a game such as American football, of the kind comprising a board inclined relatively to the horizontal, a ball capable of moving under the effect of gravity over the said board, curb means for retaining and guiding the ball and symmetrical means of propulsion actuated by players in order to convey the said ball towards outlet apertures which represent the goals, means for removing the ball and bringing it back into play, the improvement which consists in that said board has: a. an upper outlet aperture which opens towards the top of the playing board and leads, through a passage along an inclined plane, to a propulsion means located at the center of the lower edge of said board in order to enable the players to return the ball to play; b. a lower aperture which opens below said upper outlet aperture and leads, through another passage along an inclined plane to a second propulsion means located on the area of play so as to allow opposing players to propel the ball towards said upper outlet aperture; c. movable closure means controlling access to both said outlet apertures, said closure means being movable between two alternative positions, the first position being a raised position wherein said lower outlet aperture is open and said upper outlet aperture is partially closed, and the second position being a lowered position wherein said lower outlet aperture is entirely closed and said upper outlet aperture is fully open.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
In apparatus for playing a game of skill simulating a game such as American football, of the kind comprising a board inclined relatively to the horizontal, a ball capable of moving under the effect of gravity over the said board, curb means for retaining and guiding the ball and symmetrical means of propulsion actuated by players in order to convey the said ball towards outlet apertures which represent the goals, means for removing the ball and bringing it back into play, the improvement which consists in that said board has: a. an upper outlet aperture which opens towards the top of the playing board and leads, through a passage along an inclined plane, to a propulsion means located at the center of the lower edge of said board in order to enable the players to return the ball to play; b. a lower aperture which opens below said upper outlet aperture and leads, through another passage along an inclined plane to a second propulsion means located on the area of play so as to allow opposing players to propel the ball towards said upper outlet aperture; c. movable closure means controlling access to both said outlet apertures, said closure means being movable between two alternative positions, the first position being a raised position wherein said lower outlet aperture is open and said upper outlet aperture is partially closed, and the second position being a lowered position wherein said lower outlet aperture is entirely closed and said upper outlet aperture is fully open.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the relative aperture of said lower outlet opening, of said upper outlet aperture when partially open and of said upper outlet aperture when fully open, does so in inverse ratio to the number of points marked up respectively for a try, or touchdown, a field goal or a conversion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises two identical symmetrical devices each of which includes: a. a curved curb which defines the lower periphery of the area of revolution of said second propulsion means, said curb being pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the playing area without affecting the operation of the said propulsion means; b. a means of control for pivoting said curb to control the path of the ball when projected by said second propulsion means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two identical symmetrical devices are combined, each of which comprises: a. a flexible retaining means for permanently drawing said movable closure means towards its raised position; b. A flexible blocking means for holding said closure means once it has been brought into closure position; and c. a means for subjecting said closure means to the control mechanism of at least one of said propulsion means actuatable by the players in order to direct the path of the ball, this control holding the closure means in its lower position when the said control mechanism is held in rest position by flexible retaining means pertinent thereto or releasing said closure means to return to its raised position when actuated by one of the players in opposition to the retaining means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two identical symmetrical devices are combined each of which comprises: a. a third outlet aperture directly in front of said second propulsion means, said third outlet aperture giving access to a passage which conveys the ball to said first propulsion means; b. means for retaining said third outlet aperture either in a closed position in which the ball is directed towards said propulsion means or in an open position in which the ball is directed towards the said propulsion means; and c. means for connecting said means for retaining to the means controlling one of said propulsion means actuatable by the players for controlling the movement of the ball and means for biasing said controlling means comprising an elastic retainer, said control mechanism being held in a rest position by said elastic retainer said third outlet being closed whereby when the said control mechanism is actuated by one of the players in opposition to said flexible retaining means said third outlet aperture is opened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the devices are composed of two identical symmetrical arrangements comprising in combination: a. a first movable closure member arranged in the passage leading from said lower outlet aperture, flexible retainer means biasing said first movable closure member to a first passage blocking position and actuable against the bias of said flexible retaining means; and b. a second movable closure member located in the passage leading from said upper outlet aperture, second flexible retainer means biasing said second movable closure member to a first passage blocking position and being actuatable against the bias of said second flexible retaining means position to a second passage opening position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises two identical symmetrical devices each of which includes a point-counting mechanism and means for engaging the said mechanism to cause it to register a number of points proportional to the effective amount of the movement of said engagement means, each of the said devices further comprising in combination: a. two control means, the first control means moving said engagement means to an amount sufficient for recording the number of points provided for a try, or touchdown, said second control means moving said engagement means an amount sufficient for recording the number of points provided for a field goal; b. a release means to restrict the amount of movement of said engagement means to an amount sufficient for recording the number of points provided for a conversion; and c. means for subjecting said release mechanism to the mechanism which controls the closure means of claim 1 for holding said release mechanism in a working position when said closure means of claim 1 is secured in its lower position; and for holding said release mechanism in a nonworking position when said closure means is in the raised position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a flat rigid plate forming the playing board and a hood of moulded transparent plastics material forming both the casing and the fixed curbs retaining the ball, wherein the device comprises, a movable gauge secured in front of the goal and cooperating with the movable closure means of claim 1 to regulate the opening of the goals and a movable stop member which rEgulates the movement of the engaging means of claim 7.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ball comprises an opaque oval core lodged in a transparent spherical envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |