GB2249729A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides game apparatus comprising a plurality of playing areas (12a-e), each containing apparatus for playing a game, and at least one carrier (14) adapted to carry a plurality of teams of at least one player each. Means are provided for causing relative movement between the playing areas (12a-e) and the or each carrier (14) such that, at predetermined intervals, each team is presented with apparatus for playing a game in a different playing area (12a-e). Preferably, the carrier or carriers comprise a central platform (14) adapted to be rotatable. <IMAGE>

Description

Game Apparatus The invention relates to game apparatus, particularly game apparatus for testing the footballing skills of teams of players.

The invention provides gaming apparatus comprising a plurality of playing areas, each containing apparatus for playing a game, and at least one carrier adapted to carry a plurality of teams of at least one player each, wherein means are provided for causing relative movement between the playing areas and the or each carrier such that, at predetermined intervals, each team is provided with apparatus for playing a game in a different playing area.

Apparatus according to the invention allows a considerable number of players to participate in a team game, competing with other teams if desired, whilst providing increased enjoyment and excitement for the players by presenting them with a series of games consecutively and at predetermined intervals.

Preferably, the carrier or carriers comprise a central platform adapted to be rotatable and, more preferably, each playing area contains apparatus for playing a different game. This enables the teams to be transported from one playing area to another and play a different game in each playing area. A tournament situation can thus be created.

Preferably, each playing area contains apparatus for playing a game relating to football. Different footballing skills can be tested by each game by providing suitable apparatus in each playing area.

The enjoyment and excitement of the players is increased if the central platform is divided into segregated areas for accommodating each team. It also encourages the players in each team to perform to the best of their ability if no other team' s performance can be observed.

A spectator' s gallery is preferably provided above the central platform, and a warm-up area for the players is also preferably provided.

Means for assessing and recording the performance of each team with respect to each of the games in the playing areas is advantageously provided and can be used to provide a record or certificate or other memorabilia for each team and/or each player.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings1 wherein: Figure 1 shows a general schematic layout of game apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows, to a larger scale, a plan view of a portion of Figure 1; and Figures 3a and 3b show, to a larger scale, side and partial plan views respectively of the central portion of Figure 1.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, the game apparatus consists of a large structure 10 having a number, in this case 5, substantially identical playing areas 12a-e. The playing areas 12a-e are arranged around a central platform 14 which is adapted to carry teams of players. Both the playing areas 12a-e and the central platform will be described in more detail below. The remaining areas 16a, 16b, 16c of the structure 10 house a reception and foyer, a shop, exhibition stands and displays and further apparatus for playing a game, etc.

Specifically, area 16a comprises the entrance to the structure and contains a shop, a store area and an exhibition relating to football. Area 16b houses video screens allowing people in that area to view the apparatus in use and/or to follow a warm-up routine for prospective players of the game, and also entrances to the playing areas and to a spectators gallery 18 located above the central platform 14. Area 16c houses a further playing area and also apparatus for playing games specifically designed for young children. It will be appreciated that exhibitions, displays, children's apparatus, warm-up area etc. can be relocated to different locations within areas 16a-c, replaced with alternative items or dispensed with altogether as desired.

Figure 2 shows one of the playing areas 12a-e in detail. The area 12 is substantially kite-shaped and is walled to prevent players in that area from viewing adjacent areas. Emergency exits 20 are provided in walls 22. The playing area 12 has a number of ball dispensers 24, one dispenser for each member of the team which will enter the playing area 12; in this case five dispensers 24 are provided. The dispensers are coded, e. g. by numbers or colours, so that each team member may be allocated a particular dispenser 24. Partitions 26 are provided and similarly coded so that- each team member is allocated a specified channel from which to kick a ball from the specified dispenser 24 at a target 28 located opposite the dispensers 24.A net 30 is located behind the target 28 and the floor 32 of the playing area 12 is sloped in the direction of arrows 32 so as to direct used balls into a channel 34 for collection and return to the dispensers 24. The balls are prevented from returning to the players by a barrier 36. Sensors, not shown, record the number of balls which hit the target 28 correctly.

The portion of the playing area 12 remote from the target 28 is formed by a portion of the central platform 14. The platform 14 takes the form of a circular carousel and is divided into six equal segregated areas, only one of which is shown in Figure 2. Each segregated area is walled so that adjacent segregated areas are not visible therefrom and each segregated area has sufficient seating 38 for each member of the team which will enter the playing area 12. The central platform 14 is rotatable so that, once a particular team has finished playing the specified game in one playing area 12, that team can mount the platform 14 and be carried to an adjacent playing area to play a different game, whilst a second team is carried from a previous playing area to the playing area vacated by the first team.

Figures 3a and 3b show the central platform in more detail. The mechanical operation of the platform is not shown since the necessary components are well known and do not form part of the invention. However, it is not necessary that the entire central structure shown in Figure 3a be rotatable, but the platform surface 14a and seating 38 must be rotatable. The spectators gallery 18 is located immediately above the platform surface 14a from which the performance of the teams can be viewed.

The gallery 18 can be arranged to rotate with the platform surface 14a if desired. The segregating walls 40 of the central platform are shown in Figure 3a.

Emergency exits 42 are also provided in each segregated area.

Also provided, but not shown in the drawings, are means for recording the scores of each team with respect to each game played in each playing area. Such means take the form of apparatus for recording the score of each team on a card inserted by a member of the team in apparatus located in each playing area.

The game is played as follows. Players enter the structure through area 16a and pass into area 16b where entrance fees are paid. Teams of five players each are selected in any convenient manner, e.g. by computer selection, details of players having been initially entered on the computer. A team captain is selected and receives a record card and each team member will be allocated a number or colour corresponding to those on the ball dispensers 24 in each playing area. The team then follows a warm-up sequence in the warm-up area before proceeding with the game.

The team then moves to the first playing area 12a and plays the game specified in that area. For example, the game could involve kicking a football past a speed recorder unit with a view to determining the average or highest speed for the team. Each player collects a ball from the dispenser 24 marked with the colour or number allocated to that player and uses the channel which is similarly coded to play the game. Used balls are automatically collected in the channel 34 and returned to the ball dispensers 24. The team captain operates the appropriate apparatus to record the team' s score in relation to the game played in playing area 12a on the record card at the end of the game.

After a predetermined time, an audible signal indicates that the team should mount the platform 14 and sit on the seating 38 provided in the segregated area of the platform 14 which is accessible. The platform 14 then rotates through 60 and the team is transported to the second playing area 12b wherein apparatus for playing a different football-related game is located. The team then has a predetermined period of time to play the second game, which may involve hitting a target whilst avoiding stationary obstacles. Sensors record a successful hit and activate a sound effect unit so that a crowd cheer is heard. At the end of the predetermined period, the signal is operated, the team score is recorded on the record card, the team mounts the platform 14 and is transported to the next playing area 12c.This sequence is repeated until all of the games have been played. Each player must always use balls from the correct dispenser 24 and play from the correct channel according to the coding.

The final game may be located in area 16c. For example, once the team have left area 12e, they are transported through a further 60 and then they leave the platform 14 and run towards area 16c via a passage in area 16b.

The final game is played in part or all of area 16c and there the game ends for the team which returns to area 16b via a second passage. The teams scores are recorded and a certificate is produced automatically showing the names of the players in the team and the overall scores.

The apparatus as a whole lends itself to use in tournaments, i.e. teams can compete against one another for the highest overall score. A league system is also envisaged wherein a record of the highest team scores over a predetermined period can be displayed. The games in each playing area can be varied as desired; when relating to football, they can be designed to test various skills. However, the apparatus as a whole need not be confined to football related games but could have any desired theme or relate to a variety of sports or known games. Also the apparatus may be adapted so as to be able to accommodate teams of a higher or lower number than five.

It is also envisaged that the apparatus may be designed to be transportable, being housed in a tent-like structure and dismantleable for transportation.

However, ideally, the structure should be at least semi-permanent to increase its security, safety and capability for utilisation of sophisticated apparatus.

It would in some cases be possible to provide apparatus whereby the central platform remains stationary while the playing areas are moved. This would, however, require more complex and expensive apparatus.

Alternatively, the players could be moved between the playing areas by carriages running on tracks or by similar means.

Claims (10)

Claims:

1. Game apparatus comprising a plurality of playing areas, each containing apparatus for playing a game, and at least one carrier adapted to carry a plurality of teams of at least one player each, wherein means are provided for causing relative movement between the playing areas and the or each carrier such that, at predetermined intervals, each team is provided with apparatus for playing a game in a different playing area.

2. Game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier or carriers comprise a central platform adapted to be rotatable.

3. Game apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the central platform is divided into segregated areas for accommodating each team.

4. Game apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, further comprising a spectators gallery located above the central platform.

5. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each playing area contains apparatus for playing a different game.

6. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each playing area contains apparatus for playing a game relating to football.

7. Game apparatus as claimed in claims 5 and 6, wherein each playing area contains apparatus for playing a game which tests a different footballing skill.

8. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a warm-up area for use by players prior to playing the games in the playing areas.

9. Game apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for assessing and recording the performance of each team with respect to each of the games in the playing areas.

10. Game apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.