Projectiles and gaming equipment

Abstract

To provide a launching device which can be freely placed anywhere on a game surface and can adjust the distance to a target, and a game apparatus equipped with such a launching device. The launcher 1 is used in a game machine and launches projectiles toward a target. The launcher 1 comprises a base 11 whose underside abuts the game surface, two pillars 21 and 22 erected on the upper surface of the base, a launch recess 12 provided at the lower end of the front face of the base and having a wall surface that abuts against the projectile, and a launcher 13 provided at the lower end of the back face of the base. , can freely rotate around a roller axis 18 extending horizontally in the left and right direction, and the lower end abuts on the game surface. The device is provided with a main body 10 having rollers 13 and 14, and a trigger 30 supported on two pillars so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis and having a finger hook recess 31 for a user to hook his / her fingers and press.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a launching device for a game in which a projectile is fired at a target, and to a gaming apparatus including such a launching device. [Background technology]

[0002] Games in which projectiles are fired at targets (hereinafter referred to as "tabletop shooting games") are known. For example, games that simulate shooting, games that simulate bowling, games that simulate soccer, etc. are available.

[0003] Patent Document 1 relates to a game device that imitates a basketball, and describes a configuration in which a ball is thrown toward a goal by an operating unit 20 that is biased by an elastic member 31 (FIG. 4).

[0004] Patent Document 2 relates to a ball game toy, and describes a configuration in which an arm 29 attached to a toy doll 25 is pressed down to tilt the toy doll 25, and a ball 30 is struck and kicked out by a cavity 26 (Figs. 3 and 5).

[0005] Patent Document 3 relates to a board game, and describes a launching device 5 that uses a solenoid 26 to move a pin 28, which rotates a lever 27 connected to the pin 28, and hits and launches a shooting ball 6 with a pin 30 attached to the tip of the lever 27 (Figs. 6 and 7). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-168331 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-136196 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 2011-511683 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] There are many types of tabletop shooting games, but the types of launchers are limited to a few methods, such as pushing projectiles with a finger or a stick, or using springs or rubber to launch them. As a result, the gameplay of each game is very similar and monotonous. In addition, most launchers are fixed or semi-fixed to the game board, making it impossible to adjust or use the launcher (changing its position, angle, or distance). This has led to problems such as a lack of realism and excitement in the games, making it easy for players to lose interest in the game.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a launching device that can be placed freely anywhere on the game surface and that allows the distance to the target to be adjusted, and a game device equipped with such a launching device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The launching device of the present invention is used in a game device and launches a projectile toward a target, and includes a base whose lower surface abuts against the game surface, two pillars erected on the upper surface of the base, a launching recess provided at the lower end of the front surface of the base and having a wall surface that abuts against the projectile, and a launching recess provided at the lower end of the back surface of the base. It can rotate freely around a roller axis that extends horizontally in the left and right directions, and its lower end abuts the game surface. The device is provided with a main body having a roller, and a trigger that is supported on two pillars so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis and has a finger hook recess for a user to hook their finger on and press.

[0010] The game apparatus of the present invention includes the above-mentioned launching device, a projectile, and a target. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The launcher of the present invention comprises a main body and a trigger, and a contact recess is provided on the lower front surface of the base of the main body, and a roller is provided on the lower back surface. Therefore, when a player presses the trigger downward and rearward, the main body rotates counterclockwise and moves forward, firing a projectile that is contacting the wall of the contact recess forward.

[0012] The launcher is not fixed to the game surface but is configured so that the underside of the base is placed against the game surface, allowing the player to freely adjust the distance between the launcher and the target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the launcher. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the launcher. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a rear view of the launcher. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the launcher. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the launcher taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the base taken along line BB in FIG. 2 with the projectile set in the launch recess. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing examples of cross-sectional shapes of projectiles. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of launch recesses and projectile shapes. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of launch recesses and projectile shapes. [Figure 10] 10(a) to 10(c) are diagrams illustrating the operation of the launching device. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a game device including a launching device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A launcher 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view of the launcher, Fig. 2 is a front view of the launcher, Fig. 3 is a rear view of the launcher, Fig. 4 is a plan view of the launcher, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the launcher taken along line AA in Fig. 1. Each figure shows the state immediately before the launching of a projectile begins. Launcher 1 is used in tabletop shooting games and launches projectiles such as balls toward a target.

[0015] The launcher 1 includes a main body 10 and a trigger 30. The main body 10 includes a base 11 and pillars 21 and 22 standing on both the left and right ends of the upper surface of the base 11, respectively.

[0016] The base 11 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, and when in use, it is placed so that its underside is in contact with a flat surface on which the game apparatus is placed (hereinafter referred to as the "game surface"). The shape of the base 11 may be any shape other than a rectangular parallelepiped, as long as the entire launching device 1 can stand on the game surface 50 by itself.

[0017] The game surface 50 is, for example, the top surface of a desk, table, building floor, game board, etc., and is generally a horizontal and flat surface, but may also have an uneven, sloped, or curved surface as long as there is space to place the launching device 1.

[0018] A launching recess 12 is provided at the lower end of the front face of the base 11, in the center in the left-right direction. Part or all of the wall surface of the launching recess 12 abuts against a part of the projectile, and urges the projectile in accordance with the movement of the main body 11, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the shape of the launching recess 12 is a rectangular parallelepiped with a rear wall 12a that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of travel of the projectile.

[0019] Rollers 13 and 14 are disposed at the lower end of the rear surface of base 11. Rollers 13 and 14 can freely rotate around roller axles 18 that extend horizontally in the left-right direction. The lower ends of rollers 13 and 14 are aligned vertically with the lower end of base 11 and are in contact with game surface 50. Roller axles 18 are supported by roller bearings 15, 16, and 17 fixed to the underside of base 11. In this embodiment, the number of rollers is two, but the number may be one or three or more as long as main body 1 can rotate around the contact points between rollers 13 and 14 and game surface 50 during the firing operation described below.

[0020] The pillars 21 and 22 support the trigger 30 between them so that it can rotate about a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction in Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the pillars 21 and 22 have the same shape and are rectangular parallelepipeds with a thickness (the dimension in the left-right direction in Fig. 1, the same applies below) equal to the thickness of the base 11 and a height (the dimension in the up-down direction in Fig. 1, the same applies below) about three times the height of the base 11.

[0021] Trigger 30 is a rectangular parallelepiped member with rounded upper left and lower right corners as viewed from the perspective of FIG. 1. The width of trigger 30 (the dimension in the left-right direction in FIG. 2, the same applies below) is approximately equal to the distance between the inner surfaces of post portion 21 and post portion 22, and is slightly larger than the width of the player's fingers. The longitudinal dimension of trigger 30 is approximately equal to the height of post portions 21 and 22. The left side of trigger 30 is in contact with inner surface 21a of post portion 21, and the right side of trigger 30 is in contact with inner surface 22a of post portion 22, and the state shown in FIG. 1 is maintained by frictional forces.

[0022] The top surface 30a of the trigger 30 is provided with a finger recess 31 on which the game player places their finger when firing a projectile. The rear end of the finger recess 31 is provided with an inclined surface 31a that the player presses. A flat portion 31b continues in front of the inclined surface 31a, and a curved portion 31c that is arc-shaped in side view continues in front of that.

[0023] Shafts 32 and 33 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of trigger 30, respectively. Shafts 32 and 33 are cylindrical and protrude from the side surfaces of trigger 30 by approximately half the width of pillars 21 and 22. The positions of shafts 32 and 33 in the front-to-rear direction are preferably such that, in the state shown in FIG. 1, the weight of the part of trigger 30 behind shafts 32 and 33 is approximately equal to the weight of the part of trigger 30 in front of shafts 32 and 33. The positions of shafts 33 and 33 in the up-down direction are such that trigger 30 can rotate without interfering with top surface 11a of the base.

[0024] Bearings 23 and 24 are provided near the upper ends of inner surfaces 21a and 22a of pillars 21 and 22, respectively. Bearings 23 and 24 are cylindrical recesses whose diameter is slightly larger than the outer dimensions of shafts 32 and 33. Shafts 32 and 33 fit into bearings 23 and 24, respectively, and trigger 30 is supported by pillars 21 and 22 so that it can rotate around the central axis of bearings 23 and 24. The bearings 23 and 24 are positioned in the vertical direction so that they do not interfere with the upper surface 11a of base 11 when trigger 30 rotates.

[0025] The mechanism for rotatably supporting trigger 30 by pillars 21 and 22 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 5. For example, a shaft may be protruded from inner surfaces 21a and 22a of pillars 21 and 22, and a bearing may be provided on trigger 30.

[0026] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the base 11 taken along line BB in FIG. 2 with the projectile 40 set in the launch recess 12. The projectile 40 is a small, rod-shaped object placed on the game surface 50 with its axial direction parallel to the game surface 50. The rear end of the projectile 40 abuts against the rear wall 12a of the launch recess 12, and when the base 11 rotates counterclockwise and moves forward, the projectile 40 is urged to slide on the game surface 50 toward the target.

[0027] 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the projectile 40. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of the projectile 40 is an ellipse with a large flattening ratio, with the major axis parallel to the game surface 50. In this way, the projectile 40 will not roll even if the game surface 50 is slightly inclined. In addition, the contact area between the projectile 40 and the game surface 50 is reduced, which increases the travel distance of the projectile 40.

[0028] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of the cross-sectional shape of the projectile 40. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of the projectile 40 is a regular hexagon. This prevents the projectile 40 from rotating and rolling around the left and right edges of the contact surface with the game surface 50 unless a considerable force is applied. A similar effect can be achieved by using a shape such as a horizontally elongated rectangle, a polygon with a large ratio of the width of the side contacting the game surface 50 to the overall width, or a semicircle whose chord abuts the game surface 50, such that the center of gravity does not extend far outward from both ends of the contact surface with the game surface 50.

[0029] FIG. 8 shows an example of the shape of the launch recess 12 and the projectile. In this example, the projectile 41 is spherical. The launch recess 12 has a rear wall 12a that is substantially perpendicular to the game surface 50 and an arcuate surface portion 12b that is shaped like a quarter circle in side view. The height of the rear wall 12a is substantially the same as the radius of the projectile 41, and the radius of the arcuate surface portion 12b is substantially the same as the radius of the projectile 41, so that the upper rear of the projectile 41 abuts against the arcuate surface portion 12b. When the base 11 moves forward while rotating counterclockwise, the projectile 41 is urged and slides across the game surface 50 toward the target.

[0030] FIG. 9 shows an example of the shape of the launch recess 12 and the projectile. In this example, the projectile 41 is spherical. The launch recess 12 has a semicircular arcuate surface 12c in a side view, with a hump 19 formed at the bottom. In the initial state, the projectile 41 abuts against the inclined surface forming the hump 19. The radius of the arcuate surface 12c is larger than the radius of the projectile 41, and there is a large gap between the upper end of the arcuate surface 12c and the upper end of the projectile 41. This is to prevent the projectile 41 from coming into contact with the arcuate surface 12c when launched. When the base 11 rotates counterclockwise and moves forward, the projectile 41 is urged upward and to the right by the hump 19, and flies away from the game surface 50 toward the target.

[0031] The operation of the launcher 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10(a) shows the initial state of the launcher 1 during its launching operation. The launcher 1 is placed so that the underside of the main body 10 and the lower ends of the rollers 13 and 14 abut against the game surface 50. The projectile 42 is a rod-shaped member with a disc-shaped base at its left end and a spherical head at its right end. The left end of the projectile 42 abuts against the wall of the launch recess 12. The trigger 30 is supported by the main body 10 via shafts 32 and 33 with its upper surface approximately horizontal. The game player presses the inclined surface 31a of the finger-hook recess 31 with their fingers, and a force slightly downward and rearward acts on the trigger 30, as indicated by arrow C in FIG. 10(a). At this time, the shorter the distance w between the center of the rollers 13 and 14 and the point of application 35 of the pressing force, the more stable the pressing action.

[0032] FIG. 10(b) shows the launcher 1 in a slightly tilted state when pressed by the player. The pressing force of the player is transmitted to the main body 10 via the axes 32 and 33. Focusing on the contact point 51 between the lower ends of the rollers 13 and 14 and the game surface 50, the counterclockwise moment due to the horizontal backward component of the pressing force exceeds the clockwise moment due to the resultant force of the vertical downward component of the pressing force and the weight of the launcher 1. As a result, the main body 10 begins to rotate counterclockwise around the contact point 51, as indicated by arrow E in FIG. 10(b). Furthermore, the contact point 51 begins to move forward in response to this rotation. Therefore, the projectile 42 is urged by the wall of the launch recess 12 and begins to move forward, as indicated by arrow F in FIG. 10(b). The trigger 30 also rotates clockwise around the axes 32 and 33 relative to the main body 10, as indicated by arrow D in FIG. 10(b).

[0033] Figure 10(c) shows the state in which the launching operation is completed and the launching device has fallen. As the tilt of the main body 10 increases from the state in Figure 10(b), the main body 10 is no longer able to stand on its own, rotates 90° counterclockwise from the state in Figure 10(a), and falls over with its back surface abutting the game surface 50. The top surface of the trigger 30 is now approximately horizontal, and its height position is approximately aligned with the front surface of the main body 11. The projectile 42 continues to slide forward on the game surface 50.

[0034] Launcher 1 comprises a main body 10 and a trigger 30, with a contact recess 12 provided at the bottom front of base 11 of main body 10 and rollers 13, 14 provided at the bottom back. Therefore, when a player presses trigger 30 downward and rearward, main body 10 moves forward while rotating counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 1, and projectile 40 contacting the wall of contact recess 12 can be launched forward.

[0035] The launcher 1 is not fixed to the game surface 50, but is configured so that the underside of the base 11 is placed in contact with the game surface 50. This allows the player to freely adjust the distance between the launcher 1 and the target.

[0036] The launcher 1 is configured to fall onto the game surface 50 when the launching action is completed. Therefore, when the launcher 1 completes the launching action, it hits the game surface 50, producing an exhilarating sound. This creates a unique sense of tension for the player, providing a pleasant feeling.

[0037] 11 is a diagram illustrating a game device 60 including the launcher 1. The game device 60 includes the launcher 1 shown in FIGS.

[0038] Projectile 43 includes rod-shaped shaft 43a, spherical head 43b provided at one end of shaft 43a, and head 43c provided at the other end of shaft 43a. The cross-sectional shape of shaft 43a is preferably a horizontally elongated ellipse or a regular hexagon, as shown in Figure 7.

[0039] The target 45 includes a rod-shaped shaft 45a, a spherical head 45c attached to the upper end of the shaft 45a, and a disk-shaped base plate 45b attached to the lower end of the shaft 45a. The head 45c may be the head of a character such as an animal or a human. The target 45 is supported on the game surface 50 by the base plate 45b. The base plate 45b may be omitted from the target 45, and the lower end of the shaft 45a may be attached to the game surface 50 with an adhesive such as glue. It is preferable that the adhesive strength of the adhesive be weak so that the target 45 falls over when hit by the projectile 43.

[0040] In this example, the height of the launcher 1 as shown in Figure 11 is assumed to be a few centimeters, the width of the launcher 1 (the dimension perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 11) is assumed to be about 2 cm (slightly larger than the width of the player's fingers), and the length of the projectile 43 and target 45 is assumed to be small, about a few centimeters (the length of a matchstick).

[0041] The player brings the head 43b of the projectile 43 into contact with the wall of the launch recess 12 of the launcher 1. Next, as shown in Figure 10(a), the player presses the trigger 30 with their finger to launch the projectile 43 toward the target 45. If the projectile 43 hits the target 45 and the target 45 falls, the shot is successful.

[0042] The projectile 43 is just one example, and by changing the shape of the launch recess 12, the game apparatus 60 can use projectiles of various shapes. Similarly, various shapes other than a rod shape can be used for the target 45. For example, if the shape of the launch recess 12 is as shown in FIG. 8, a spherical projectile can be launched, and a game apparatus can be created that imitates bowling (the target is a plurality of pins) or billiards (the target is a plurality of balls and pockets). Furthermore, if the shape of the launch recess 12 is as shown in FIG. 9, a spherical projectile can be launched diagonally forward, and a game apparatus can be created that imitates basketball (the target is a hoop placed above the game surface).

[0043] According to the game apparatus 60, the launcher 1 and the target 45 are not fixed to a specific location on the game surface 50, but can be placed anywhere. Therefore, the player does not need to carry around a dedicated game board or the like, but can carry around the launcher 1, projectiles 43, and target 45, all of which are small, and can enjoy the game anywhere there is an object that can be used as the game surface 50, such as a desk or table. In addition, the player can adjust the difficulty of the game by freely adjusting the distance between the launcher 1 and the target 45.

[0044] The launcher 1, projectile 43, and target 45 all have simple structures and can be manufactured at low cost.

[0045] The rules of the game using the game device 60 are simple, so it is easy to spread and anyone can enjoy it. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Launcher 10 Main Unit 11 Base 11a Top side 12 firing recess 12a Back wall 12b, 12c Arc surface part 13, 14 Roller 15, 16, 17 Roller bearings 18 Roller shaft 19 Hump 21, 22 Pillar section 21a, 22a inner surface 23, 24 Bearings 30 Trigger Top surface 30a 31 Finger recess 31a Slope 31b Flat part 31c curved part Axis 32, 33 35 Point of action 40, 41, 42, 43 Projectiles 43a axis 43b, 43c head 45 Target 45a axis 45b base plate 45c head 50 Game Surfaces 51 contact points 60 Game Equipment

Claims

1. A launching device used in a game device to launch a projectile toward a target, a base having a lower surface that abuts against the game surface; Two pillars erected on the upper surface of the base; a launch recess provided at a front lower end of the base and having a wall surface that abuts against the projectile; a main body including a roller provided at the lower end of the rear surface of the base, which can freely rotate around a roller axis extending horizontally in the left-right direction, and whose lower end abuts against the game surface; a trigger supported on the two pillars so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis, and having a finger recess for a user to hook and press.

2. 2. The launching device according to claim 1, wherein a wall surface of the launching recess that abuts against the projectile is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the projectile.

3. the projectile is spherical; 2. The launching device according to claim 1, wherein the wall surface of the launching recess that abuts against the projectile comprises an arcuate surface that abuts against an upper rear portion of the projectile.

4. the projectile is spherical; 2. The launcher of claim 1, wherein the launch recess includes a hump that biases the projectile obliquely upward.

5. A game device comprising the launching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the projectile, and the target.

6. A launching device comprising: the launcher according to claim 1 or claim 2; the projectile; and the target; A game apparatus characterized in that the projectile is rod-shaped, and the target is rod-shaped and is used by being set up on the game surface by a base plate or glue.

7. 7. The game device according to claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the projectile is an ellipse or a polygon that is horizontally long when the projectile is set in the launch recess.

Images