JP7764007B2 - Game device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game device for hitting a target with a ball.

In recent years, a game called "struckout" has become popular in ball games such as baseball, tennis, golf, and soccer, in which players compete to see how many targets (also called targets) arranged in a grid pattern they can hit within a set time or with a set number of balls. Dedicated game devices for "struckout" are also known, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2. In these game devices, the target is divided into multiple parts, and a sensor detects which part of the target the ball has hit. This allows players to know which part of the target their ball has hit, allowing them to play games in which they aim to hit all parts of the target with the ball, or to hit the same part of the target repeatedly with the ball.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-62018 Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No. 6-75547

However, these game devices require special equipment, such as sensors to detect the position where the ball hits, which makes the device's configuration complicated. Furthermore, in the game device of Cited Document 2, the target frame is made of metal, which makes it difficult to say that it is safe for children to play with. Furthermore, these game devices are sometimes installed at event venues such as golf tournaments, but because the entire device is relatively large, it takes up space for storage and transportation, making it difficult to use.

The present invention aims to solve the above problems by providing a game device that has a simple structure, is easy to store and transport, and is safe for players.

The game device of the present invention has the following configuration.
(1) A ball with one surface of hook-and-loop fastener.
(2) Multiple targets with other surfaces of the hook-and-loop fastener.
(3) A support for supporting a plurality of the targets arranged according to a predetermined pattern.
(4) A ball-striking member for hitting the ball toward the target.
(5) The support is inflatable and is filled with air.

The game device of the present invention may further include the following configuration.
(1) The targets are spaced apart from one another by a distance such that the ball does not stick to multiple targets at the same time.
(2) The support body has a front portion on which the multiple targets are provided, and left and right side portions extending from both ends of the front portion toward the player, and is self-supporting at the installation location.

The present invention provides a game device that has a simple structure, is easy to store and transport, and is safe for players.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a game device according to an embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a ball and a launch pad according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a ball-striking member according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a target according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing an inflatable according to an embodiment.

[First embodiment]
[composition]
1, a game device 100 of this embodiment is a golf game device to which the present invention is applied. That is, the game device 100 includes a ball 1, a launch pad 2 on which the ball 1 is placed, a club 3 for hitting the ball 1 placed on the launch pad 2, a target 4 to hit the ball 1 shot with the club 3, and a support 5 on which the target 4 is placed. The club 3 of this embodiment corresponds to a ball-striking member recited in the claims.

With reference to Figure 2, the ball 1 and launch pad 2 will be described. The ball 1 is a spherical elastic member whose surface is covered with a loop surface 11. The loop surface 11 is made of, for example, felt fabric and is raised in a looped pattern. The launch pad 2 is a sheet-like elastic member on which the ball 1 is placed. The launch pad 2 is provided with a tee 21. The tee 21 is a cylindrical elastic member with a recessed end, and the ball 1 is placed in this recessed portion. Note that rubber, for example, is a suitable material for the elastic member that makes up the ball 1, launch pad 2, and tee 21.

As shown in Figure 3, the club 3 consists of a shaft 31, a head 32 that expands like a drop from one end of the shaft 31, and a grip portion 33 that covers a predetermined area from the other end of the shaft 31. The shaft 31 is a long member made of, for example, fiberglass. The head 32 is made of, for example, resin, and the portion that comes into contact with the ball 1 when hitting it is flattened. This stabilizes the direction in which the ball 1 is sent flying. The grip portion 33 is made of, for example, elastic rubber, and prevents the club 3 from slipping out when the player swings it up.

As shown in FIG. 4, the target 4 consists of multiple hook surfaces 41 attached to a sheet-like support member 42 and is installed in a direction approximately perpendicular to the ground. The target 4 may be attached to, for example, an indoor wall, but in this embodiment, it is attached to the support member 5 (described below) via an attachment portion (not shown) provided on the opposite side of the support member 42 from the hook surfaces 41. The hook surfaces 41 in this embodiment are arranged in a predetermined pattern, for example, a 3x3 matrix, and each has a number printed on it, ranging from 1 to 9. The hook surfaces 41 are spaced apart so that the ball 1 does not stick to multiple hook surfaces 41 at the same time. This spacing is, for example, equal to or greater than the diameter of the ball 1.

The hook surface 41 is made up of numerous raised hook-shaped portions, and is the portion to which the ball 1 adheres when it hits the hook surface 41. In other words, the loop surface 11 of the ball 1 becomes entangled in the hook-shaped portions of the hook surface 41, and the ball 1 that hits the hook surface 41 adheres to the hook surface 41 against gravity. In this way, the loop surface 11 and the hook surface 41 are one side and the other side of the hook-and-loop fastener. The support member 42 is made of, for example, tarpaulin fabric, and is the portion that allows the ball 1 to slide off when it hits the hook surface 41.

As shown in Figure 5(a), the support 5 is made of, for example, a PVC membrane and is inflatable when filled with air. Thus, the support 5 is elastic. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), the inflatable is a membrane when deflated, allowing it to be folded and stored. In this embodiment, the support 5 consists of side sections 51 and 52 and a front section 53 connecting the side sections 51 and 52. The side sections 51 and 52 are roughly pentagonal frames, with one interior angle and the two adjacent interior angles forming roughly right angles. A net (not shown) is stretched within the frame. The front section 53 is a roughly rectangular frame, with a net (not shown) stretched within the frame. The target 4 is placed on the net stretched across the front section 53. In this embodiment, the width of the front section 53 is at least twice the width of the target 4.

Furthermore, a net may be stretched to cover the upper side of the support body 5. In other words, the net may be stretched to cover the U-shape formed by the side portions 51, 52 and the upper edge of the front portion 53.

The side sections 51, 52 are connected to the left and right sides of the front section 53 so as to form a U-shape when viewed from above. More specifically, the side sections 51, 52 are connected by the front section 53, which has its short side raised from the ground and two base angles that are both approximately right angles. Since the front section 53 is positioned perpendicular to the ground, the target 4 is also positioned perpendicular to the ground. Furthermore, a weight is provided inside the air-filled interior on the side of the support 5 that comes into contact with the ground. This, combined with the above-mentioned U-shaped structure, allows the support 5 to stand on its own at the installation location. Metal fittings may be provided on the side of the support 5 that comes into contact with the ground. The support 5 can be fixed to the ground by inserting pegs or the like into this metal fitting.

[Effect]
The operation of the game device 100 of this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1 , the launch pad 2 is placed on the ground facing the target 4 provided on the front portion 53 of the support 5. The distance from the front portion 53 to the launch pad 2 is, for example, 3 m. In this state, the player places the ball 1 on the tee 21 of the launch pad 2 and uses the club 3 to hit the ball 1 toward the target 4. When the shot ball 1 hits the hook surface 41 of the target 4, the balls 1 become entangled and stick to the hook surface 41. On the other hand, if the ball 1 hits a part other than the hook surface 41, the ball 1 does not stick and falls to the ground. Players shoot a set number of balls 1 and compete for victory or defeat based on the number of hook surfaces 41 that the ball 1 hits and the number of balls 1 that hit the hook surface 41 in the center of the 3 × 3 grid.

[effect]
(1) In the game device 100 of this embodiment, the loop surface 11 of the ball 1 and the hook surface 41 of the target 4 intertwine, making it possible to accurately determine which hook surface 41 the ball 1 has hit without using electronic devices such as sensors. This eliminates the need to repair or replace electronic devices such as sensors. In addition, the support 5 on which the target 4 is mounted is elastic, so even children are less likely to be injured by colliding with it. Furthermore, the support 5 of this embodiment is inflatable, meaning that its interior is filled with air and can be folded compactly by letting the air out, making it easy to carry.

(2) In this embodiment, the hook surfaces 41 are spaced apart from one another to prevent the ball 1 from sticking to multiple hook surfaces 41 at the same time. This eliminates the risk of being unable to determine which hook surface 41 the ball 1 has hit.

(3) The support body 5 is U-shaped when viewed from above. In other words, the side portions 51, 52 extend toward the player, reducing the risk of the ball 1 straying from the target 4 being scattered.

(4) The ball 1 of this embodiment is made of an elastic material, so there is less risk of injury compared to a golf ball. The head 32 of the club 3 of this embodiment is made of resin, so there is less risk of injury compared to a golf club head.

(5) The launch pad 2 of this embodiment is sheet-shaped and does not take up much space when carried. Furthermore, because the ball 1 is always teed up by the tee 21, the ball 1 can be shot regardless of the condition of the ground. For example, the game can be played in places where it is undesirable to damage the ground, such as gymnasiums or tennis courts, or on concrete, asphalt, or gravel, where there is a risk of the head 32 rubbing against the ground and causing damage.

Other Embodiments
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be created by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Specifically, the following other embodiments are also included.

(1) In the above embodiment, the surface of the ball 1 is the loop surface 11, which intertwines with the hook surface 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, the surface of the ball 1 may be the hook surface, and the hook surface 41 may be the loop surface.

(2) In the above embodiment, the club 3 has a shaft 31 made of fiberglass and a head 32 made of resin, but this is not limited to this. For example, they may be made of a single piece of resin, which increases safety during play.

(3) In the above embodiment, the hook surfaces 41 are spaced apart from each other, but they may also be spaced apart without any gaps.

(4) In the above embodiment, the support body 5 is an inflatable frame with a net stretched within it, but this is not limited to this. For example, instead of a frame, it may be an inflatable plate configured in a U-shape. Furthermore, the net stretched over the top surface can also be replaced with an inflatable plate.

(5) In the above embodiment, the support 5 is inflatable, with the interior filled with air, but this is not limited to this. For example, it may be made of elastic urethane foam.

(6) In the above embodiment, the support body 5 is U-shaped when viewed from above, but the angle of the U-shape is not limited to a substantially right angle. It is sufficient that the side portions 51, 52 extend toward the player, i.e., the side from which the ball 1 is shot, and that the shot ball 1 is prevented from scattering.

(7) The game device 100 in the above embodiment is an application of the present invention to a golf game device, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may also be applied to game devices for other ball games, such as a baseball game device or a tennis game device.

100 Game device 1 Ball 11 Loop surface 2 Launch pad 21 Tee 3 Club 31 Shaft 32 Head 33 Grip portion 4 Target 41 Hook surface 42 Support member 5 Inflatable 51, 52 Side portion 53 Front portion

Claims (1)

a ball having one surface of a hook-and-loop fastener;
a plurality of targets each having a hook-and-loop fastener other surface;
a support supporting a plurality of the targets arranged according to a predetermined pattern;
a ball-striking member for hitting the ball toward the target;
Equipped with
The support is
An inflatable whose interior is filled with air ,
a front portion on which a plurality of the targets are provided facing a single player;
left and right side portions extending from both ends of the front portion toward the player;
Equipped with
The left and right side surface portions are connected to the left and right of the front surface portion, and the left and right side surface portions do not protrude rearward from the left and right of the front surface portion, and the left and right side surface portions and the front surface portion are configured to have a U-shape when viewed from above,
A weight is provided on the side of the support that comes into contact with the ground and is filled with air;
the support body is self-supporting at an installation location by the left and right side surface portions, the front surface portion, and the weight ;
The left and right side portions prevent the ball from scattering away from the target ,
a support member made of a material to which the balls do not adhere is provided on the front surface of the support;
the plurality of targets are arranged in a matrix on the support member and spaced apart from one another by a dimension such that the balls do not stick to the plurality of targets at the same time ;
the front surface of the support body has a non-adhesion area outside an area in which the plurality of targets are arranged, to which the balls do not adhere;
The space between the plurality of targets and each of the adjacent targets on the support member is made of a material that allows the ball to slide off even when hit.
Game device.