Menko and Menko Set

Abstract

To provide a pog that can be easily turned over, and a pog set including the pog.SOLUTION: A pog is formed of a plate-like member formed with a curved portion or a bent portion in at least a part thereof. The curved portion or the bent portion is formed such that a rear surface of at least one end portion of the plate-like member is not in contact with the ground.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to menko and menko sets. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a menko has been known that includes a movable piece and a fixed part that supports the movable piece so that it can move, and in which at least the movable piece of the movable piece and the fixed part displays multiple pieces of information related to the game (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-68034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In menko play, one player drops their menko with force onto a flat surface such as the floor, the ground, or a table, and the resulting wind pressure flips over the menko of the other player that are positioned around the point where the menko fell, a technique known as "okoshi."

[0005] However, traditional menko have a generally flat shape, and a certain level of skill is required to generate enough wind pressure to flip the opponent's menko when it falls. Therefore, beginners who are not used to playing menko have difficulty flipping their opponent's menko.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a menko that can be easily turned over and a menko set that includes the menko. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] One aspect of the menko of the present invention is The plate-shaped member has a curved or bent portion formed at least in part thereof, The curved or bent portion is formed so that the rear surface of at least one end of the plate-like member is not grounded.

[0008] [2] One aspect of the present invention is the menko described in [1] above, The plate-like member has a flat portion adjacent to the curved or bent portion.

[0009] [3] One aspect of the menko of the present invention is the menko described in [2] above, The plate-like member has the curved or bent portions formed on both sides of the flat portion.

[0010] [4] One aspect of the present invention is the menko described in [3] above, The plate-like member has the curved portions formed on both sides of the flat portion.

[0011] [5] One aspect of the present invention is the menko described in [3] above, The plate-like member has the curved portion formed on one side of the flat portion and the bent portion formed on the other side.

[0012] [6] One aspect of the present invention is the menko described in [3] above, The plate-like member has the bent portions formed on both sides of the flat portion.

[0013] [7] One aspect of the present invention is the menko described in [3] above, The plate-like member is formed in an approximately S-shape, with the curved or bent portion formed on one side of the flat portion curved or bent toward the front surface, and the curved or bent portion formed on the other side of the flat portion curved or bent toward the back surface.

[0014] [8] One aspect of the menko of the present invention is the menko described in any one of [1] to [5] above, The following conditional expression is satisfied: 0° < θc < 270° however, θc: bending angle of the bending portion

[0015] [9] One aspect of the menko of the present invention is the menko described in any one of [1] to [6] above, The following conditional expression is satisfied: 0° < θb < 90° however, θb: bending angle of the bending portion

[0016]

[10] A menko set according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first menko, which is a menko described in any one of [1] to [9] above, and a second menko that does not have the curved or bent portion, and the first menko is used as a receiving piece and the second menko is used as a throwing piece.

[0017]

[11] A menko set according to one aspect of the present invention includes a third menko, which is a menko as described in any one of [1] to [9] above, and a fourth menko as described in any one of [1] to [9] above, which is heavier than the third menko, The third menko is used as the receiving piece, and the fourth menko is used as the throwing piece.

[0018]

[12] A menko set according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of menko described in any one of [1] to [9] above, each of which is used as a receiving piece or a throwing piece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a menko that can be easily turned over and a menko set that includes the menko. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a menko according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a top view of the menko according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a side view of a menko according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 is a front view of a menko according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the bending angle of the menko according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the appearance of the menko according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a top view of a menko according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a side view of the menko according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5C] FIG. 10 is a front view of the menko according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the bending angle of the menko according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view of a menko according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a front view of a menko according to a second modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a front view of a menko according to a third modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of a menko according to a fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, components having equivalent functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of the components having the same reference numerals will not be repeated.

[0022] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a menko 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the menko 1 is made up of a menko body 10, which is a plate-like member, and has a curved, three-dimensional shape as a whole. Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the entire menko body 10 is curved, but the curved portion (curved part) may be formed on at least a part of the menko body 10.

[0023] 2A is a top view of menko 1 as seen in the direction A of FIG. 1, FIG. 2B is a side view of menko 1 as seen in the direction B of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2C is a front view of menko 1 as seen in the direction C of FIG. 1.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the menko 1 is formed so that the entire menko body 10, which is a plate-like member, is curved. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2C, the front surface S1 and back surface S2 of the menko body 10 function as a curved portion 10C, which is an integrally curved shape. This curved portion 10C is formed so that the back surface (S2) of at least one end of the menko body 10 (plate-like member) (in the example shown in FIG. 2C, both ends of the menko body 10) is not in contact with the ground. In other words, the curved portion 10C is formed so that the back surface (S2) of at least one end of the menko body 10 (plate-like member) is curved in a direction away from the placement surface (floor, desk, ground, etc.) on which the menko 1 is placed. This forms a gap between the underside of the menko body 10 and the surface on which the menko 1 is placed (a flat surface such as a floor, ground, desk, etc.; hereinafter referred to as the placement surface). As a result, the air current generated when another menko (throwing piece) is thrown onto the placement surface near the menko 1 (receiver piece) flows into the gap, making it possible to easily flip the menko 1 over. Furthermore, when the menko 1 is placed with its back surface S2 facing downwards, part of the curved portion 10C (the area including point P in FIG. 2C) touches the ground, so when air currents flow into the gap between the menko body 10 and the placement surface, the entire menko 1 rocks like a rocking chair. This makes it possible to easily flip the menko 1 over even if the wind pressure generated when another menko is thrown onto the placement surface of the menko 1 is weak. In other words, even children or elderly people who have little strength in throwing the menko 1 down can easily flip the opponent's menko over.

[0025] In addition, by hitting the edge of the surface (S1) of the curved portion 10C of the menko 1 (receiver piece) with another menko (thrower piece), the menko 1 will rotate vigorously as if rolling, and the momentum will allow the menko 1 to be easily flipped over.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the bending angle of the bending portion 10C formed on the menko 1 (menko main body 10). As shown in FIG. 3, the bending angle of the bending portion 10C is defined as a central angle θc based on the center O of the circle of the arc that constitutes the bending portion. Here, the bending angle θc is preferably set to 0°<θc<270°, and more preferably 120°<θc<180°. By appropriately adjusting the bending angle θc of the bending portion 10C, the size of the gap between the end of the menko main body 10 and the placement surface can be adjusted. The larger the gap, the easier it is to turn the menko 1 over. Therefore, by adjusting the bending angle θc, the ease of turning the menko 1 over can be adjusted. Note that simply reducing the bending angle θc shortens the length of the bending portion 10C (arc). In this case, the length of the bending portion 10C may be ensured by increasing the radius of curvature of the arc.

[0027] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the menko 1 is made of a plate-like member (menko body 10) having a curved portion 10C formed on at least a portion thereof, and the curved portion 10C is formed so that the back surface S2 of at least one end of the plate-like member (menko body 10) is not in contact with the ground, so that even beginners who are not accustomed to playing menko, children and elderly people who do not have enough strength to throw down the menko 1, etc. can easily flip the menko 1 over.

[0028] (Second embodiment) Next, a menko 2 according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the appearance of the menko 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the menko 2 is made up of a menko body 20, which is a plate-like member, and has a three-dimensional shape that is bent approximately at the center of the menko body 20. Note that in this embodiment, an example in which the menko body 20 is bent approximately at the center will be described as an example, but the bent portion (bent part) only needs to be formed in at least a part of the menko body 20, and the position of the bent part is not limited to approximately the center of the menko body 20, and may be any position.

[0029] 5A is a top view of the menko 2 as seen in the direction A of FIG. 4, FIG. 5B is a side view of the menko 2 as seen in the direction B of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5C is a front view of the menko 2 as seen in the direction C of FIG. 4.

[0030] 5A to 5C, the menko 2 has a bent portion 20B formed so as to bend approximately in the center of the menko body 20, which is a plate-shaped member. Adjacent to the bent portion 20B, flat portions 20F1 and 20F2 are formed on both sides of the bent portion 20B. The flat portion 20F1 is in contact with the surface on which the menko 2 is placed.

[0031] The bent portion 20B is formed so that the back surface (S2) of at least one end of the menko body 20 (plate-shaped member) (in the example shown in FIG. 5C, the end on the side where the flat portion 20F2 is formed) is not in contact with the ground. In other words, the bent portion 20B is formed so that the back surface (S2) of at least one end of the menko body 20 (plate-shaped member) is bent in a direction away from the placement surface (floor, desk, ground, etc.) on which the menko 2 is placed. This forms a gap between the underside of the menko body 10 and the placement surface of the menko 1, and air currents generated when other menko are thrown down onto the placement surface flow into this gap, making it possible to easily flip the menko 1 over.

[0032] In addition, by hitting the edge of the surface (S1) of the bent portion 20B of the menko 2 (receiver piece) with another menko (thrower piece), the menko 2 will rotate vigorously as if rolling, and the momentum will make it possible to easily flip the menko 2 over.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the bending angle of the bending portion 20B formed on the menko 2 (menko body 20). As shown in FIG. 6, the bending angle of the bending portion 20B is defined as the angle θb at which the flat portion 20F2 moves away from the placement surface when the flat portion 20F1 is placed on the placement surface of the menko 2. Here, the angle θb is in the range of 0°<θb<90°. More preferably, it is in the range of 30°<θb<45°. By adjusting this angle θb, it is possible to adjust the size of the gap between the flat portion 20F2 (the back surface S2 of the menko 2) and the placement surface. The larger the gap, the easier it is to flip the menko 2 over, so by adjusting the angle θb, it is possible to adjust how easily the menko 2 can be flipped over.

[0034] As explained above, according to this embodiment, the menko 2 is made of a plate-like member (menko main body 20) having a bent portion 20B formed in at least a portion thereof, and the bent portion 20B is formed so that the back surface S2 of at least one end of the plate-like member (menko main body 20) is not in contact with the ground, so that even beginners who are not accustomed to playing menko can easily flip the menko 1 over.

[0035] Next, modified examples of the menko of each of the above embodiments will be described.

[0036] (First Modification) Figure 7 is a front view of a menko 3 according to a first modified example. As shown in Figure 7, the menko 3 is made up of a flat part 30F whose underside (rear surface S2) touches the surface on which the menko 3 is placed, and a menko body 30 on one side of this flat part 30F, with a curved part 30C formed adjacent to the flat part 30F. The setting range of the curved angle θc of the curved part 30C is the same as that of the menko 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0037] As with the menko 1, the menko 3 has a curved portion 30C that forms a gap between the underside (rear surface S2) of the menko body 30 and the placement surface, allowing the air current generated when another menko is thrown down onto the placement surface to flow into the gap and easily flip the menko 3 over. Furthermore, the menko 3 has a flat portion 30F formed on the menko body 30, which gives it a moderate level of stability.

[0038] In addition, by hitting the end of the surface (S1) of the curved portion 30C of the menko 3 (receiver piece) with another menko (thrower piece), the menko 3 will rotate vigorously as if rolling, and the momentum will make it possible to easily flip the menko 3 over.

[0039] (Second Modification) Figure 8 is a front view of a menko 4 according to a second modified example. As shown in Figure 8, the menko 4 is made up of a flat portion 40F whose underside (rear surface S2) touches the surface on which the menko 4 is placed, and a menko body 40 having curved portions 40C1 and 40C2 formed adjacent to the flat portion 40F on both sides of the flat portion 40F. The setting ranges for the curved angle θc1 of the curved portion 40C1 and the curved angle θc2 of the curved portion 40C2 are the same as the curved angle θc of the menko 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0040] As with the menko 1, the menko 4 has curved portions 40C1 and 40C2 that form a gap between the underside (rear surface S2) of the menko body 40 and the placement surface, allowing the air current generated when another menko is thrown down onto the placement surface to flow into the gap and easily flip the menko 4 over. Furthermore, the menko 4 has a flat portion 40F formed on the menko body 40, which gives it a moderate level of stability.

[0041] Furthermore, by hitting the end of the surface (S1) of the curved portion 40C1 or 40C2 of the menko 4 (receiver piece) with another menko (thrower piece), the menko 4 will rotate vigorously as if rolling, and the momentum will allow the menko 4 to be easily flipped over.

[0042] 8, both curved portion 40C1 and curved portion 40C2 are curved toward the front surface S1 of the menko 4, but the menko 4 may also be formed in a generally S-shape, with opposing curved portions curved in opposite directions. That is, in the menko body 40, the curved portion 40C1 formed on one side of the flat portion 40F may be curved toward the front surface (S1), and the curved portion 40C2 formed on the other side of the flat portion 40F may be curved toward the back surface (S2). By forming the menko 4 in this way, the menko 4 has a three-dimensional shape, making it easier to turn the menko 4 over.

[0043] (Third Modification) 9 is a front view of a menko 5 according to a third modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, the menko 5 is made up of a menko body 50 having a flat portion 50F1 whose underside (rear surface S2) contacts the surface on which the menko 5 is placed, and a curved portion 50C formed on one side adjacent to the flat portion 50F1 and a bent portion 50B formed on the other side. The bent portion 50B is formed adjacent to a flat portion 50F1 and a flat portion 50F2. The bending angle θc of the curved portion 50C is the same as the bending angle θc of the menko 1 of the first embodiment, and the bending angle θb of the bent portion 50B is the same as the bending angle θb of the menko 2 of the second embodiment.

[0044] The curved portion 50C and the bent portion 50B of the menko 5 form a gap between the underside of the menko body 50 (back surface S2, flat portion 50F2) and the placement surface, so that the air current generated when another menko is thrown down onto the placement surface flows into the gap, making it possible to easily flip the menko 5 over. Furthermore, the menko 5 is provided with a moderate level of stability due to the flat portion 50F1 formed on the menko body 50.

[0045] Furthermore, by hitting another menko (throwing piece) against the end of the surface (S1) at the curved portion 50C or bent portion 50B of the menko 5 (receiving piece), the menko 5 will rotate vigorously as if rolling, and the momentum will allow the menko 5 to be easily flipped over.

[0046] In the example of the menko 4 shown in FIG. 9, both the curved portion 50C and the bent portion 50B are curved or bent toward the front surface S1 of the menko 5, but the menko 5 may also be formed into a substantially S-shape in which the opposing curved portion 50C and bent portion 50B are curved or bent in opposite directions. That is, in the menko body 50, the curved portion 50C formed on one side of the flat portion 50F1 may be curved toward the front surface (S1), and the bent portion 50B formed on the other side of the flat portion 50F1 may be bent toward the back surface (S2). By forming the menko 5 in this manner, the menko 5 has a three-dimensional shape, making it easier to turn the menko 5 over. (Fourth Modification) FIG. 10 is a front view of a menko 6 according to a fourth modified example. As shown in FIG. 10, the menko 6 comprises a flat portion 60F1 whose underside (rear surface S2) contacts the surface on which the menko 6 is placed, and a menko body 60 having bent portions 60B1 and 60B2 formed adjacent to the flat portion 60F1 on both sides of the flat portion 60F1. The flat portions 60F1 and 60F2 are formed adjacent to the bent portion 60B1, and the flat portions 60F1 and 60F3 are formed adjacent to the bent portion 60B2. The setting ranges for the bending angle θb1 of the bent portion 60B1 and the bending angle θb2 of the bent portion 60B2 are the same as those for the bending angle θb of the menko 2 according to the second embodiment.

[0047] As with the menko 2, the menko 6 has bent portions 60B1 and 60B2 that form a gap between the underside of the menko body 60 (back surface S2; flat portions 60F2 and 60F3) and the placement surface, allowing the air current generated when another menko is thrown down onto the placement surface to flow into the gap and easily flip the menko 6 over. Furthermore, the menko 6 has a moderate level of stability due to the flat portion 60F1 formed on the menko body 40.

[0048] In addition, by hitting another menko (throwing piece) against the end of the surface (S1) at the bent portion 60B1 or bent portion 60B2 of the menko 6 (receiving piece), the menko 6 will rotate vigorously as if rolling, and the momentum will make it possible to easily flip the menko 6 over.

[0049] In the example of the menko 6 shown in FIG. 10, both the bent portion 60B1 and the bent portion 60B2 are bent toward the front surface S1 of the menko 6, but the menko 6 may also be formed into a substantially S-shape in which opposing bent portions are bent in opposite directions. That is, in the menko body 60, the bent portion 60B1 formed on one side of the flat portion 60F1 may be bent toward the front surface (S1), and the bent portion 60B2 formed on the other side of the flat portion 60F1 may be bent toward the back surface (S2). By forming the menko 6 in this manner, the menko 6 has a three-dimensional shape, making it easier to turn the menko 6 inside out. Next, a menko set including the menko of each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples (menko 1 to 6) will be described.

[0050] (1st Menko Set) The first menko set includes a menko (first menko) according to any of the above embodiments and modifications, and a menko (second menko) that does not have a curved or bent portion. In this case, by using the first menko as a receiving piece (a menko to be placed on the placement surface) and the second menko as a throwing piece (a menko to be thrown down onto the placement surface), a menko set can be created in which the receiving piece (first menko) can be easily flipped over by the throwing piece (second menko).

[0051] (2nd Menko Set) The second menko set includes a menko (third menko) according to any of the above embodiments and variations, and a menko (fourth menko) according to any of the above embodiments and variations that is heavier than the third menko. In this case, by using the third menko as the receiving piece and the fourth menko as the throwing piece, a menko set can be created that allows the receiving piece (first menko) to be easily flipped over by the throwing piece (second menko). This is because a lighter menko can be used as the receiving piece, making it easier to flip it over, and a heavier menko as the throwing piece generates more wind pressure when thrown down onto the playing surface, making it easier to flip the receiving piece over.

[0052] (Third Menko Set) The third menko set includes multiple menko from any of the above embodiments and modifications that can be used as receiving pieces (first menko) or throwing pieces (second menko). By configuring a menko set using any of the above embodiments and modifications, it is possible to provide a menko set that makes it easy for players to flip each other's menko.

[0053] In the above embodiments, examples of menko with a roughly oval outer shape in top view have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to menko with any outer shape in top view, and the outer shape may be polygonal, circular, doughnut-shaped, or the silhouette of an animal, plant (leaf, flower, vegetable, fruit, etc.), insect, person, fish, shell, splash of water, number, letter, logo, symbol mark, national flag, coin, banknote, etc.

[0054] In addition, the materials used for the menko in each of the above embodiments and modified examples can be 3D printer materials such as paper, wood, polypropylene, nylon, cardboard, bioplastics, ABS resin, and PLA resin.

[0055] Furthermore, in the menko of each of the above embodiments and modified examples, the surface roughness of the back surface S2 may be smaller than that of the front surface S1. By reducing the surface roughness of the back surface S2, the menko becomes more slippery, making it easier to turn over the menko. Furthermore, in a menko set including the menko of each of the above embodiments and modified examples, the menko set may include multiple menko with different surface roughnesses of the back surface S2.

[0056] Based on the above description, a person skilled in the art may be able to conceive additional effects and various modifications of the present invention, but the aspects of the present invention are not limited to the individual embodiments described above. Various additions, modifications, and partial deletions are possible within the scope of the conceptual idea and spirit of the present invention, which is derived from the content defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0057] Furthermore, not all of the features described in this specification are essential requirements. In particular, features described in this specification but not included in the claims can be considered optional additional features.

[0058] It should be noted that the applicant is merely aware of the inventions disclosed in the documents listed in the "Prior Art Documents" section of this specification, and the present invention does not necessarily aim to solve the problems of the disclosed inventions. The problem that the present invention aims to solve should be determined by taking into consideration the entire specification. For example, if this specification states that a specific configuration achieves a certain effect, it can also be said that the present invention solves a problem that is the reverse of that effect. However, it is not necessarily intended that such a specific configuration be an essential requirement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Menko 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Menko body 10C, 30C, 40C1, 40C2, 50C curved section 20B, 50B, 60B1, 60B2 Bent part 20F1, 20F2, 30F, 40F, 50F1, 50F2, 60F1, 60F2, 60F3 Flat part S1 surface S2 back side

Claims

1. A plate-like member having a curved or bent portion formed at least in a part thereof, the plate-like member having an outer shape asymmetrical with respect to a center line of the curved or bent portion due to the existence of a plurality of curved portions; The curved or bent portion is formed so that the back surface of at least one end of the plate-like member is not grounded.

2. The menko according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like member has a flat portion adjacent to the curved or bent portion.

3. The menko according to claim 2, wherein the curved or bent portion is formed on both sides of the flat portion of the plate-like member.

4. The menko according to claim 3 , wherein the curved portions are formed on both sides of the flat portion of the plate-like member.

5. The menko according to claim 3, wherein the curved portion is formed on one side of the flat portion of the plate-like member, and the bent portion is formed on the other side.

6. The menko according to claim 3 , wherein the plate-like member has the bent portions formed on both sides of the flat portion.

7. 4. The menko according to claim 3, wherein the plate-like member is formed in a substantially S-shape, with the curved or bent portion formed on one side of the flat portion curved or bent toward the front surface, and the curved or bent portion formed on the other side of the flat portion curved or bent toward the back surface.

8. 2. The menko according to claim 1, which satisfies the following conditional expression: 0° < θc < 270° however, θc: bending angle of the bending portion

9. 2. The menko according to claim 1, which satisfies the following conditional expression: 0° < θb < 90° however, θb: bending angle of the bending portion

10. A menko set comprising a plurality of menko according to claim 1 used as receiving pieces or throwing pieces.

Images