US3817523A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Table ball game with alternatively operated rotatable attack and defense players
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-18
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A table ball game, more particularly a table football game with player figures distributed over a playing area or field, and a ball moved by the said figures, each of the player figures, which are rigid, comprising a laterally projecting kicking leg, mounted so as to be capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis on a support forming the playing area, and the figures are adapted to be rotated by means of a drive which is operable by a handle, in such a manner that the kicking leg strikes against a playing ball situated in the region of rotational movement of the said leg. The player figures are divided into two teams with each team comprising an attack group and a defense group with means operatively connecting the player figures of each group for conjoint movement. A single-handle actuator for each team selectively actuates the attack or defense group. Openings for capturing the ball are connected to ducts for returning the ball to the playing area.
Inventors
- 👤 R Nolte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:17
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; A63F7/06; A63F7/0684; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/12; A63F2250/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A table game, more particularly a table football game having a ball-like member moved along a playing area comprising: a plurality of rigid player figures having a standing leg and a laterally projecting kicking leg, each of said plurality of player figures bEing mounted on said playing area to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through said standing leg, said plurality of player figures being divided into a first and second team, each of said first and second teams being divided into a defense group and an attack group, said attack group of said first and second team being disposed in the opposing team''s half of said playing area, means operatively connecting the player figures in each group for conjoint movement, driving means including a single-handle actuator for each respective team with each actuator including means under the control of an operator for selectively coupling the respective drive means to said defense group or said attack group of said respective team and rotating said player figures of said groups.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A table game, more particularly a table football game having a ball-like member moved along a playing area comprising: a plurality of rigid player figures having a standing leg and a laterally projecting kicking leg, each of said plurality of player figures bEing mounted on said playing area to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through said standing leg, said plurality of player figures being divided into a first and second team, each of said first and second teams being divided into a defense group and an attack group, said attack group of said first and second team being disposed in the opposing team''s half of said playing area, means operatively connecting the player figures in each group for conjoint movement, driving means including a single-handle actuator for each respective team with each actuator including means under the control of an operator for selectively coupling the respective drive means to said defense group or said attack group of said respective team and rotating said player figures of said groups.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A ball game according to claim 1 wherein said driving means further includes a shaft adapted to be rotated by said handle, a mitre wheel means connected to said shaft for rotating at least one of said player figures of a respective defense group or attack group of a respective team, and means connected to said last mentioned player figures for rotating other figures of the respective defense group or attack group of the respective team.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A ball game according to claim 2 wherein at least a pair of mitre wheel means are provided on said shaft, one of said mitre wheel means being operatively connected with at least one of the player figures of said attack group and the other of said mitre wheel means being operatively connected with at least one of the player figures of said defence group, said coupling means coupling a respective mitre wheel means with said shaft to rotate said player figures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A ball game according to claim 3 wherein each of said mitre wheel means includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel, said driving wheel being provided with a conical bore cooperable with a conically shaped coupling element provided on said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A ball game according to claim 4 wherein said means for rotating the other player figures of a respective group includes a cable means for interconnecting said other player figures with said player figure driven by said mitre wheel means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A ball game according to claim 2 wherein each of said last mentioned player figures is provided with a spindle extending from said standing leg and means are provided on said spindle cooperating with said mitre wheel means for rotating said player figure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A ball game according to claim 1 wherein said common driving means includes a cable means for interconnecting all the player figures of a respective group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A ball game, according to claim 1 wherein said playing area is defined by boundary lines provided on said playing area, at least one duct means is provided for receiving the ball-like member as it passes over at least one of said boundary lines, and guideway and conveying means are provided for guiding and conveying the ball-like member from said duct means back to said playing area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A ball game according to claim 8 wherein said guideway means is inclined and opens laterally into a vertical tube opening on at least one predetermined area on said playing area, spring-loaded plug means are provided for closing off said vertical tube from said playing area, handle means are provided for pulling said plug into said vertical tube to allow the ball-like member to enter into said vertical tube, whereby upon release of said handle said plug conveys said ball-like member back on to the playing area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A ball game according to claim 9 wherein said driving means further includes a shaft adapted to be rotated by said handle, a mitre wheel means connected to said shaft for rotating at least one of said player figures of a respective defense group or attack group of a respective team and means connected to said last mentioned player figures for rotating the other player figures of the respective defense group or attack group of the respective team.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A ball game according to claim 10 wherein at least one player figure of a team rotated by said mitre wheel means is associated with the area of said playing area where said ball-like member is returned to said playing area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A ball game according claim 11 wherein said playing area is slightly inclined towards its longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A ball game according claim 12 wherein each of said teams consists of a number of player figures appropriate to the number of players used in the real-life game.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A ball game according to claim 8 wherein said boundary lines include at least a pair of spaced longitudinally disposed lines and at least a pair of transversely extending lines disposed at the respective ends of said longitudinally disposed lines, and at least one said duct means is provided along said longitudinally disposed lines and said transversely extending lines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A ball game according to claim 8 wherein a plurality of duct means are provided and said guideway and conveying means guide to convey the ball-like member to at least one of a lateral ''''throw-in-spot,'''' a ''''goal kick spot,'''' a ''''corner kick spot'''' or a ''''kick-off spot.''''
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
A table game comprising: a playing area, a plurality of ball projectors in the form of player figures rotatably mounted on said playing area, said plurality of player figures being divided into at least a first and a second team, each of said first and second teams of said player figures being further divided into at least two groups, means operatively connecting the player figures in each group for rotating said player figures of said group, a respective operator controlled manual actuator for each of said first and second teams of player figures with each actuator including means for selectively coupling either one of said groups making up one team to selectively rotate the player figures in either one or another of said groups making up said team when the actuator is selectively coupled to said one or another of said groups and actuated by manual control of the operator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
A table game comprising: a playing area, a plurality of ball projectors in the form of player figures rotatably mounted on said playing area, said plurality of player figures being divided into at least a first and a second team, each of said first and second teams of said player figures being further divided into at least two groups, means operatively connecting the player figures in each group for rotating said player figures of said group, a respective operator controlled manual actuator for each of said first and second teams of player figures with each actuator including means for selectively coupling either one of said groups making up one team to selectively rotate the player figures in either one or another of said groups making up said team when the actuator is selectively coupled to said one or another of said groups and actuated by manual control of the operator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A game according to claim 16 wherein said actuator includes a rotatable shaft disposed below said playing area, said shaft having disposed on one end thereof a handle portion for rotating said shaft and said selective coupling means are disposed along portions of said rotatable shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A game according to claim 17 wherein said selective coupling means includes a pair of first members rotatable with said shaft and a pair of second members each operatively connected to one of the figure players of each group.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A game according to claim 18 wherein said first members include substantially conically shaped coupling portions and said second members include substantially conically shaped bore portions for receiving said coupling portions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
A game according to claim 16 wherein said playing area is defined by boundary lines provided on said playing area, at least one duct means is provided for receiving the ball-like member as it passes over at least one of said boundary lines, and guideway and conveying means are provided for guiding and conveying the ball-like member from said duct means back to said playing area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
A game according to claim 20 wherein said guideway means is inclined and opens laterally into a vertical tube opening on at least one predetermined area on said playing area, spring-loaded plug means are provided for closing off said vertical tube from said playing area, handle means are provided for pulling said plug into said vertical tube, whereby upon release of said handle said plug conveys said ball-like member back on to the playing area.
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) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |