Patent US4006897A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4006897A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simulated tennis game
Assignee: CREMEAL SA
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Filing: 1975-02-28
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Granted: 1977-02-08
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Expires: 1995-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A skilled game, of the simulated tennis or table tennis type, includes a translucent screen representing the playing field, through which a movable point representing the ball and rectilineal segments representing raquets or players are visible. Both the movable point and segments advantageously are luminous. The movable point is simultaneously provided with both longitudinal and transverse reciprocating displacements which achieve a zig-zag path of travel of the ball, as if it were bouncing between the raquets and the lateral borders of the playing field or screen. The raquets or segments are provided with a transversal movement parallel to the border lines of the playing field, which displacements are controlled by manual activating controls for each player.
Inventors
- 👤 Eliseo Ordinaga Llorens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:57
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/06; A63F7/0604; A63F7/0652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
284 words
A skilled game of simulated tennis or table tennis type, said game comprising: a frame; a translucent screen supported by said frame and representing a playing court, said screen having opposite side edges representing lateral boundaries of said court and opposite end edges representing end lines of said court; a luminous point representing a ball supported for zig-zag type movement beneath said screen, each said zig-zag type movement being the resultant vector from simultaneous movement of said point between said lateral boundaries and between said end lines; a pair of segments representing raquets or players, one each slidably mounted on a transverse bar support adjacent a respective one of said end lines for transverse movement therealong between said lateral boundaries; a pair of segment movement means, one each operatively connected to a respective one of said segments, for selectively and manually moving said segments along said respective transverse bar supports between said lateral boundaries; a first reversible motor; first point movement means, operable by said first motor, for moving said point between said lateral boundaries; first switch means, connected to said first motor, for reversing the direction of said first motor and said first point movement means upon movement of said point to one of said lateral boundaries; a second reversible motor; second point movement means, operable by said second motor, for moving said point between said end lines; and second switch means, connected to said second motor, for reversing the direction of said second motor and said second point movement means upon movement of said point to one of said end lines when the respective said segment has been manually moved to a position to block the path of movement of said point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
284 words
A skilled game of simulated tennis or table tennis type, said game comprising: a frame; a translucent screen supported by said frame and representing a playing court, said screen having opposite side edges representing lateral boundaries of said court and opposite end edges representing end lines of said court; a luminous point representing a ball supported for zig-zag type movement beneath said screen, each said zig-zag type movement being the resultant vector from simultaneous movement of said point between said lateral boundaries and between said end lines; a pair of segments representing raquets or players, one each slidably mounted on a transverse bar support adjacent a respective one of said end lines for transverse movement therealong between said lateral boundaries; a pair of segment movement means, one each operatively connected to a respective one of said segments, for selectively and manually moving said segments along said respective transverse bar supports between said lateral boundaries; a first reversible motor; first point movement means, operable by said first motor, for moving said point between said lateral boundaries; first switch means, connected to said first motor, for reversing the direction of said first motor and said first point movement means upon movement of said point to one of said lateral boundaries; a second reversible motor; second point movement means, operable by said second motor, for moving said point between said end lines; and second switch means, connected to said second motor, for reversing the direction of said second motor and said second point movement means upon movement of said point to one of said end lines when the respective said segment has been manually moved to a position to block the path of movement of said point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said segment movement means each comprise an endless belt attached to the respective said segment and mounted about a plurality of pulleys, and a manual control connected to said belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first point movement means comprises a guide arm extending longitudinally of said screen, and a first endless belt or chain means connected to said guide arm and said first motor and supported by plural pulleys for moving said guide arm transversely between said lateral boundaries; and wherein said second point movement means comprises a sliding element slidably mounted on said guide arm, and a second endless belt or chain means connected to said sliding element and said second motor and supported by plural pulleys on said guide arm for moving said sliding element longitudinally along said guide arm between said end lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A game as claimed in claim 3, further comprising third switch means, connected to said first and second motors, for stopping said first and second motors and thus the game upon movement of said sliding element to one of said end lines only when the respective said segment has not been manually moved to a position to block the path of movement of said sliding element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A game as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a score counter; a start switch connected to said first and second motors to start the game; and a ratchet means connected to said start switch and operatively engageable with said score counter for activating said score counter to indicate a change in the score of the game upon restarting of the game by actuation of said start switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second point movement means comprises a guide arm extending transversely of said screen, racks extending longitudinally of said screen adjacent said lateral boundaries, and pinions connected to said guide arm and meshing with said racks, said pinions being driven by said second motor to move said guide arm longitudinally between said end lines; and wherein said first point movement means comprises a carriage mounted on said guide arm, a rack on said guide arm, said carriage having a pinion meshing with said rack, and said pinion being driven by said first motor to move said carriage transversely between said lateral boundaries.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second switch means further comprises means for reversing the direction of said second motor and said guide arm upon movement of said point to one of said end lines when the respective said segment has not been manually moved to a position to block the path of movement of said point.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
A game as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a pair of abutments on one lateral end of said guide arm; a pair of levers, one each positioned along the respective said lateral boundary adjacent said respective end lines at locations to be contacted by a respective said abutment when said guide arm moves to said respective end line when said respective segment does not block the path of said point; and a pair of score counter means, one each connected to an oppositely situated said lever, for indicating a change in the score of the game when the path of said point is not blocked by the oppositely situated segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first point movement means comprises a first guide arm extending longitudinally of said screen and movable transversely between said lateral boundaries; and said second point movement means comprises a second guide arm extending transversely of said screen and movable longitudinally between said end lines; said first and second guide arms being orthogonally arranged; and further comprising a sliding element slidably attached to both said first and second guide arms, said point being supported on said sliding element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A game as claimed in claim 9, further comprising first and second endless belt or chain means, operatively connected to said first and second motors, respectively, for moving said first and second guide arms, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A game as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a first pair of racks, one each positioned adjacent one of said end lines; a second pair of racks, one each positioned adjacent one of said lateral boundaries; a first pair of pinions, one each on opposite ends of said first guide arm and meshing with a respective one of said first racks; a second pair of pinions, one each on opposite ends of said second guide arm and meshing with a respective one of said second racks; said first pinions being driven by said first motor; and said second pinions being driven by said second motor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |