US3807734A

US3807734A - Simulated football game

Info

Publication number: US3807734A
Application number: US00185074A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Lowther
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-30
Filing date: 1971-09-30
Publication date: 1974-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-30
Also published as: JPS4842840A; CA964687A

Abstract

A game for simulating football is disclosed which provides for actively participating offensive and defensive players. The game includes a simulated football field with a ball position marker, a down marker, and a marker for indicating yardage to be made for a first down. A chance-controlled drum includes a plurality of play columns, each representative of a different play. Columns for similar offensive plays are arranged in defense groups, and each play column includes two sub-columns. Defensive player cards are provided, one for each defense group of plays. In playing the game, the rules of football are followed with the yardage resulting from each play determined by operation of the chancecontrolled drum. Prior to each offensive play, the defensive player selects a defensive card. The offensive player then announces the play he wishes to run and spins the chance drum. If the defensive player has not selected the defense for the offensive play announced by the offensive player, the ball position marker is advanced according the number in one subcolumn on the chance drum. If the correct defense has been chosen to anticipate the offensive play, the ball position marker is moved in accordance with the other sub-column of the selected play column, which is less favorable to the offensive player.

Description

United States Patent [191 Lowther SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME [76] inventor: Robert C. Lowther, 1919 Andrew St., Alexandria, La. 71301 [22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 185,074

[52] US. Cl. 273/94 R, 273/143 E [51] Int. Cl. A63f 7/06 [58] Field of Search 273/94 R, 134 C, 134 CB, 273/134 CF, 131 C, 138 R, 93 R, 143 C, 143

D, 143 E, 145 CA [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 584,219 6/1897 De Grain 273/143 E 1,360,299 11/1920 Kaufmann et al... 273/94 R 258,387 5/1882 Dennings 273/143 E 1,580,680 4/1926 Ryan 273/94 R 1,670,704 5/1928 Wylie et al 273/94 R 2,606,029 8/1952 Esch 273/93 R 3,554,548 l/l97l lsom 273/94 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 617,561 2/1949 Great Britain 273/143 E Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Harry G. Strappello Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris & Medlock Apr. 30, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A game for simulating football is disclosed which provides for actively participating offensive and defensive players. The game includes a simulated football field with a ball position marker, a down marker, and a marker for indicating yardage to be made for a first down. A chance-controlled drum includes a plurality of play columns, each representative of a different play. Columns for similar offensive plays are arranged in defense groups, and each play column includes two sub-columns. Defensive player cards are provided, one for each defense group of plays. In playing the game, the rules of football are followed with the yardage resulting from each play determined by operationof the chance-controlled drum. Prior to each offensive play, the defensive player selects a defensive card. The offensive player then announces the play he wishes to run and spins the chance drum. If the defensive player has not selected the defense for the offensive play announced by the offensive player, the ball position marker is advanced according the number in one subcolumn on the chance drum. 1f the correct defense has been chosen to anticipate the offensive play, the ball position marker is moved in accordance with the other sub-column of the selected play column, which is less favorable to the offensive player.

15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PMNYEUAPR so 1914 SHEET 2 BF 2 SIMULATED FOOTBALL GAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates generally to games, and more particularly relates to a simulated football game.

2. History of the Prior Art A large number of simulated football games have been heretofore devised involving complicated mechanical and electromechanical chance control systems. These games tend to make the outcome dependent much more heavily on chance rather than the use of strategy closely related to that employed in an actual football game. Other games have relied more heavily on the use of playing cards wherein ball movement is determined by specific numerical indicia printed on the cards. Still other games have tended to oversimplify the types of play strategy available to both the offensive and defensive players so that the game falls short of accurately simulating actual football play situations. The simulated football game of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of needless complexity in a play-selecting, chance-controlled device and provides accurate simulation of both offensive and defensive strategy used during the progress of an actual football game. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with an improved simulated football game wherein the outcome of the game is more heavily dependent on the tactical skill of the players. More specifically, the defensive player anticipates which of a plurality of plays might be selected by an offensive player. Theoffensive player operates a chance device which includes a number of play columns, each of which includes a first sub-column for indicatingthe results of the play if the play was anticipated by the defense, and a second sub-column for use when the defensive player did not anticipate the selected play. The latter sub-column provides for a greater advantage to the offensive player, as would be the case when the defense is caught by surprise.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a simplified chance device is provided which comprises a drum which is journaled on a horizontal axis. A plurality of ball registering positions are disposed around the periphery of the drum. A weighted ball rolls within the drum and falls into one of the slots to cause the drum to stop at one of a plurality of preselected positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference may be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device constructed in DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, a game in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral in FIG. 1.

-A simulated football playing field 12 has equally spaced yardage strips 13, goal posts 14, a ball position marker 15, and a first down marker 16. The ball marker 15 includes a pointer 17 for marking the precise yardage position of the ball in play and a first down marker 18 comprising a rotatable cube with down numbers 1-4 printed thereon. The ball position marker 15 is mounted within a slot 19 to slide the length of one side of the playing field 12. The first down marker 16 is mounted within a slot 20 extending the length of the field on the opposite side from the slot 19 and is movable longitudinally of the playing field 12 to indicate the distance the ball marker 15 must be moved to gain a first down situation.

Mounted along one side of the playing field 12 is a modular playing station indicated generally at 21. The playing station 21 includes an outer housing 22 comprising a-substantially vertical back plate 22a, a horizontal top plate 2212, end plates 22c, and an inclined front panel 22d. The front panel 22d mounts a pair of

scorekeeping wheels

23a and 23b, one for each team, and a wheel 23c for counting the number of plays in each quarter of the game. A slot in the front panel 22d forms an elongate window 24 extending between opposite ends of the housing 22. On the panel 22d above the window 24 are a plurality of offensive play selection sections 25 which contain indicia identifying a particular type of offensive play. An offensive play selector 26 is mounted on a rod 27 to slide the length of the window 24 for selection of one of the sections 25. The window 24 serves as an indicator for the chance-controlled play selection device as hereafter described. A set of four defensive playing cards 61-64 one having a red face, one a green face, one a blue face and one a yellow face are provided to record the defense selected by the defensive player.

The chance-controlled device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes an elongated cylinder 30 which extends the length of the housing 22 beneath the front panel 22d and a portion of the outer surface of the cylinder 30 is exposed through the window 24. The cylinder 30 is journaled in opposite ends of the housing 22 by axial pins 31 and is rotated about its axis by moving the surface exposed through an opening 32.

Another aspect of this invention is the chancecontrolled device 35 shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The device 35 comprises a cylindrical cage 36 which is closed at opposite ends by

plates

37 and 38. A plurality of weight registering openings 39 are disposed around the periphery of the cage which are smaller in diameter than a ball 41 contained within the cage. There is'one opening 39 for each row of play instruction data on the cylinder 30.

The chance-controlled device 35 is operated by spinning the cylinder 30 about its axis. Since the cylinder 30, which is preferably relatively light weight cardboard, is freely rotatable on the axial pins 31, the relatively heavy ball 41 tends to come to rest at its lowest position due to gravity. When the ball 41 is at rest, one

of the rows of play instruction information on the cylinder 30 is in alignment with-the display window 24. As can be seen, the chance-controlled device of the present invention is of simple and inexpensive construction, and very reliable because of the simplicity. The device is also relatively quiet when the cage is made from plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front view of the inclined panel 22d containing the window 24. The panel 22d has indicia printed in the play selection sections above the window 24 which are in alignment with the columns 48 on the cylinder mounted beneath the window 24. The indicia on the panel 22d serve as column headings for the play instructions on the cylinder and are divided intotwo sections. Section 51' contains nine column headings for kicking plays. Section 52 contains twelve column headings for various offensive plays. The offensive plays are arranged in four groups, according to general type, for which certain types of defenses are most effective. The column headings comprise a red defense 52a for pass plays; a green defense 52b for trick plays; a blue defense 52c for basic running plays; and a yellow defense 52d for power plays. Each one of the play columns 48 on the cylinder 30 is aligned with a play indentification heading 25 on the face of the panel 22d.

The outer surface of the cylinder 30 contains play instructions as illustrated in the boxes 45 shown in FIG. 4. The boxes 45'are arranged in a plurality of play columns 48 extending circumferentially of the cylinder, which is the direction represented by the arrow 49. The boxes are also arranged in rows in the direction of arrow 47 which are so related to the openings 39 in the cage 36 that only one row is visible through the window 24 when the cylinder is at rest in any given position.

Each one of the individual play instructions boxes 45 in the columns 54 ad contains two different play results, so that the boxes 45 in a play columnin effect form two sub-columns. For example, in box 55 there is a number 56 on the left and a number 57 on the right. The righthand half of each box is colored to match the color of the defense for the particular play. Thus, the colored half of each play result box of the play columns in the pass play section 54a are red; those in the trick play section 54 are green; those in the basic running play section 540 are blue; and those in the power play section 54d are yellow.

The game is begun by flipping a coin to see which player kicks off. The kicking player places the play selector 26 on the kick-off column and spins the chancecontrolled device with his finger through the opening 32. If desired, the play selector 26 can be eliminated, in which case the offensive player merely announces his play selection. When the cylinder 30 stops, one of the rows of play instructions 46 will be in alignment with the window 24. The ball position marker 17 is then moved downfield according to the yardage shown through the window 24 beneath thekick-off indicia. The player who receives the kick-off then moves the play selector 26 to the kick-off return column, spins the chance control device 35 and returns the ball according to the yardage shown through window 24. In

the event that the ball is kicked over the goal line, the

fumble or a kick-ofi or punt return, when the kicking team recovers, a play instruction of minus yardage refers to movement of the ball by the recovering team from the point the ball was received by the fumbling team.

During the playing of the game, the defensive player tries to guess what type of offensive play his opponent will run, i.e., a pass play, a trick play, a basic running play or a power play, and lays the appropriately colored defensive cards 61-64 face down so that the offensive player can not detect his choice. The offensive player then announces the offensiveplay he wishes to run and spins the chance-controlled drum. When the drum stops, a particular play instruction box is positioned in the window 24 beneath the play announced by the offensive player. The colored card selected by the defensive player is then turned face up. If the color of the card does not match the color of the play picked by the offensive player, then the offensive player moves the ball marker 17 in accordance with the play instruction shown on the non-colored side of the particular instruction box 45. If, however, the defensive player was suc cessful in outguessing the offensive player and did select the card having a color corresponding to the type of 'play run by the offensive player, then the offensive player gets only the yardage shown in the color-shaded area on the right side of the particular play instruction box. The game continues with ball movement in this manner for four downs just as in actual football. Extra points, field goals, punts, etc., are announced by the offensive player at the appropriate time in the progress of the game.

In the case of a fumble or interception, the plus or minus yardage instructions refer-to the recovering or intercepting team and are measured from the line of scrimmage. In the case of an on-side kick-off, the play instruction boxes show either Good -l- (yardage) or Opp. Rec. (yardage) and yardage is measured for the recovering t'eam plus or minus from the point of kick-off which is the kicking team's 40-yard line as in conventional football. The game may be continued for any number of plays per quarter and the number of elapsed plays counted on the plays-per-quarter indicator 230. The scores for the'two teams may be kept on the

score indicators

23a and 23b.

As described above, there are many possible offensive plays which may be selected with a substantial degree of chance in the outcome thereof. But, as is shown, the football game of the invention closely simulates actual football strategy in that a defensive player may choose a particular type of defense which closely simulates those defenses chosen in actual football. Similarly, the offensive player can exercise a degree of choice with regard to his offensive play strategy depending upon the down and the yardage situation. The simulated football game of the present invention providesactive participation for both players and an opportunity is given each player to exercise his strategic knowledge of the game of football.

The specific play instructions set forth in the boxes onthe drum 30 may be arrived at by compiling statistics from actual football games, and by determining the chances of success and the average loss or gain for various offensive and defensive strategies. When this statistical determination is made from actual football playing conditions, the football game of the invention very nearly simulates actual playing conditions and is both entertaining and can be used to teach novice football players the strategy of the game.

Having described the invention in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that further modifications may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A simulated football game comprising:

a drum having a periphery defining a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results with the play results in adjacent columns being aligned in longitudinally extending rows;

a housing rotatably supporting the drum and including means for designating one of the rows of play results on the drum;

means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative to the housing with one of the rows of play results aligned with the designating means;

means for segregating at least a portion of the play result columns on the periphery of the drum into groups with each of said groups being identified with a particular defensive play and including a plurality of columns;

a plurality of defensive play designation cards each associated with a particular one of the groups of play result columns on the periphery of the drum; and

means dividing each offensive play result column that is included in one of the groups into subcolumns and thereby providing different offensive play results depending upon the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding to the group of offensive play result columns including the column corresponding to a particular offensive play.

2. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the rotation terminating means is further characterized by:

a cage formed in one end of the drum and including ,a plurality of weight registering means disposed around the interior periphery of the drum; and

a rolling weight disposed within the cage and adapted to come to rest in one of the weight registering means and thereby terminating each rotation of the drum with one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results aligned with the designating means of the housing.

3. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum which are not included. in one of the groups comprise columns for on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns, punts, punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.

4. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the housing substantially encloses the drum and wherein the row designating means of the housin comprises an elongate slot formed therein,

5. A simulated football game comprising:

a rotatably supported drum;

means dividing the periphery of the drum into a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results each individual to a particular offensive play;

means'segregating the columns of offensive plays on the drum into a plurality of groups each associated with a particular defensive play and each including a plurality of offensive play result columns;

a plurality of defensive play designation cards each corresponding to one of the groups of offensive play result columns on the drum; and

means separating each offensive play result column on the drum into subcolumns and thereby providing a different play result depending upon the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding to the group including the offensive play result column corresponding to a particular offensive play. i

6. The simulated football game according to claim 5 further including:

ahousingfor rotatably supporting the drum;

means on the housing for designating the longitudinally extending row of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum; and

means for terminating each rotation of the drum with one row of play results aligned with the designating means.

7. The simulated football game according to claim 6 wherein the rotation terminating means is further characterized by i a plurality of weight receiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drum and each individual to one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and

a rolling weight disposed within the drum and adapted to 'come to rest in one of the apertures formed therein and thereby terminate each rotation of the drum with one of the rows of offensive play'results aligned with the designated means.

8. The simulated football game according to claim 7 wherein the housing substantially encloses the drum andrincludes a first elongate aperture comprising the means for designating a row of offensive play results and a second aperture permitting direct access to the periphery of the drum and thereby facilitating rotation of the drum relative to the housing.

9. the simulated football game according to claim 5 wherein the drum further includes circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results corresponding to on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns,

punts, punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.

10. The simulated football game according to claim 9 further including:

a simulated football playing field including yard line indicia; means for representing the position of the ball on the simulated playing field; means for indicating the yard line on the simulated playing field which must be achieved in order to accomplish a first down; and I down indicating means. 11. A simulated football game comprising: a drum having a periphery divided into a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensive 'play results with the play results of the columns being aligned to define a plurality of longitudinally extending rows; I said offensive play results on the periphery of the drum being segregated into groups each corresponding to a particular defensive play and each including a plurality of offensive play result columns;

a plurality of defensive play designation cards each corresponding to one of the groups of offensive play result columns;

a housing rotatably supporting and substantially enclosing the drum;

said housing including a first opening positioned to expose one of the longitudinally extending rows on the periphery of the drum and a second opening positioned to permit engagement with the periphcry of the drum and thereby facilitating manual rotation of the drum within the housing; and

means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative to the housing with one of the longitudinally extending rows on the periphery of the drum exposed through the first opening in the housing.

12. The simulated football game according to claim 11 wherein the drum rotation terminating means comprises:

a cage formed in one end of the drum and including a plurality of weight receiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drum and each associated with one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and

a rolling weight disposed within the cage and adapted for engagement with one of the apertures thereof to terminate each rotation of the drum with one of the rows aligned with the first opening of the housl3. l'he simulated football game according to claim 11 wherein each offensive play result column included within one of the groups is divided into subcolumns, thereby providing different offensive play results depending on the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding to the group of offensive play result columns including the column corresponding to a particular offensive play.

14. The simulated football game according to claim 13 wherein the columns of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum further include columns for onside kicks, kick-offs and returns thereof, punts and returns thereof, and field goal and extra point attempts.

15; The simulated football game according to claim 14 further including:

a simulated football playing field;

means for representing the position of a ball on the simulated playing field;

means for' indicating the yard line on the field to which the offense must advance the ball to achieve a first down; and

down indicating means.

Claims

1. A simulated football game comprising: a drum having a periphery defining a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results with the play results in adjacent columns being aligned in longitudinally extending rows; a housing rotatably supporting the drum and including means for designating one of the rows of play results on the drum; means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative to the housing with one of the rows of play results aligned with the designating means; means for segregating at least a portion of the play result columns on the periphery of the drum into groups with each of said groups being identified with a particular defensive play and including a plurality of columns; a plurality of defensive play designation cards each associated with a particular one of the groups of play result columns on the periphery of the drum; and means dividing each offensive play result column that is included in one of the groups into subcolumns and thereby providing different offensive play results depending upon the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding to the group of offensive play result columns including the column corresponding to a particular offensive play.

2. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the rotation terminating means is further characterized by: a cage formed in one end of the drum and including a plurality of weight registering means disposed around the interior periphery of the drum; and a rolling weight disposed within the cage and adapted to come to rest in one of the weight registering means and thereby terminating each rotation of the drum with one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results aligned with the designating means of the housing.

3. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum which are not included in one of the groups comprise columns for on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns, punts, punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.

4. The simulated football game according to claim 1 wherein the housing substantially encloses the drum and wherein the row designating means of the housing comprises an elongate slot formed therein.

5. A simulated football game comprising: a rotatably supported drum; means dividing the periphery of the drum into a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results each individual to a particular offensive play; means segregating the columns of offensive plays on the drum into a plurality of groups each associated with a particular defensive play and each including a plurality of offensive play result columns; a plurality of defensive play designation cards each corresponding to one of the groups of offensive play result columns on the drum; and means separating each offensive play result column on the drum into subcolumns and thereby providing a different play result depending upon the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding to the group including the offensive play result column corresponding to a particular offensive play.

6. The simulated football game according to claim 5 further including: a housing for rotatably supporting the drum; means on the housing for designating the longitudinally extending row of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum; and means for terminating each rotation of the drum with one row of play results aligned with the designating means.

7. The simulated football game according to claim 6 wherein the rotation terminating means is further characterized by a plurality of weight receiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drum and each individual to one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and a rolling weight disposed within the drum and adapted to come to rest in one of the apertures formed therein and thereby terminate each rotation of the drum with one of the rows of offensive play results aligned with the designated means.

8. The simulated football game according to claim 7 wherein the housing substantially encloses the drum and includes a first elongate aperture comprising the means for designating a row of offensive play results and a second aperture permitting direct access to the periphery of the drum and thereby facilitating rotation of the drum relative to the housing.

9. the simulated football game according to claim 5 wherein the drum further includes circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results corresponding to on-side kicks, kick-offs, kick-off returns, punts, punt returns, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts.

10. The simulated football game according to claim 9 further including: a simulated football playing field including yard line indicia; means for representing the position of the ball on the simulated playing field; means for indicating the yard line on the simulated playing field which must be achieved in order to accomplish a first down; and down indicating means.

11. A simulated football game comprising: a drum having a periphery divided into a plurality of circumferentially extending columns of offensive play results with the play results of the columns being aligned to define a plurality of longitudinally extending rows; said offensive play results on the periphery of the drum being segregated into groups each corresponding to a particular defensive play and each including a plurality of offensive play result columns; a plurality of defensive play designation cards each corresponding to one of the groups of offensive play result columns; a housing rotatably supporting and substantially enclosing the drum; said housing including a first opening positioned to expose one of the longitudinally extending rows on the periphery of the drum and a second opening positioned to permit engagement with the periphery of the drum and thereby facilitating manual rotation of the drum within the housing; and means for terminating each rotation of the drum relative to the housing with one of the longitudinally extending rows on the periphery of the drum exposed through the first opening in the housing.

12. The simulated football game according to claim 11 wherein the drum rotation terminating means comprises: a cage formed in one end of the drum and including a plurality of weight receiving apertures disposed around the interior periphery of the drum and each associated with one of the longitudinally extending rows of offensive play results on the exterior periphery of the drum; and a rolling weight disposed within the cage and adapted for engagement with one of the apertures thereof to terminate each rotation of the drum with one of the rows aligned with the first opening of the housing.

13. The simulated football game according to claim 11 wherein each offensive play result column included within one of the groups is divided into subcolumns, thereby providing different offensive play results depending on the selection of the defensive play designation card corresponding to the group of offensive play result columns including the column corresponding to a particular offensive play.

14. The simulated football game according to claim 13 wherein the columns of offensive play results on the periphery of the drum further include columns for on-side kicks, kick-offs and returns thereof, punts and returns thereof, and field goal and extra point attempts.

15. The simulated football game according to claim 14 further including: a simulated football playing field; means for representing the position of a ball on the simulated playing field; means for indicating the yard line on the field to which the offense must advance the ball to achieve a first down; and down indicating means.