U.S. patent application number 10/537817 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for jack-in-the-box.
Invention is credited to Kenji Nakayama, Tomohisa Ueno.
Application Number | 20060030236 10/537817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32588176 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060030236 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ueno; Tomohisa ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Jack-in-the-box
Abstract
A jack-in-a-box includes: a case provided with a plurality of
insertion holes in an outer wall portion thereof; a jump-out member
placed in a fixed position of the case; a plurality of insertion
members to be inserted into each of the plurality of insertion
holes; a jump-out-force applying device to apply spring force to
the jump-out member in a jumping-out direction; a locking device
capable of locking the jump-out member while resisting the spring
force of the jump-out-force applying device and keeping the
jump-out member in the fixed position of the case; a releasing
device to release lock of the locking device; a detection device to
detect insertion of the plurality of insertion members; an action
generating device to perform a predetermined action; and a control
device to set the number of insertion required until the jump-out
member jumps out, cause the action generating device to perform the
predetermined action when the number of insertion of the insertion
members detected by the detection device has reached the set
number, and then cause the releasing device to operate.
Inventors: |
Ueno; Tomohisa;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) ; Nakayama; Kenji;
(Katsushika-ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700
1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
32588176 |
Appl. No.: |
10/537817 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
December 12, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/15980 |
371 Date: |
June 7, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/310 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/310 |
International
Class: |
A63H 13/16 20060101
A63H013/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 13, 2002 |
JP |
2002-362818 |
Claims
1. A jack-in-a-box comprising: a case provided with a plurality of
insertion holes in an outer wall portion thereof; a jump-out member
placed in a fixed position of the case; a plurality of insertion
members to be inserted into each of the plurality of insertion
holes; a jump-out-force applying device to apply spring force to
the jump-out member in a jumping-out direction; a locking device
capable of locking the jump-out member while resisting the spring
force of the jump-out-force applying device and keeping the
jump-out member in the fixed position of the case; a releasing
device to release lock of the locking device; a detection device to
detect insertion of the plurality of insertion members; an action
generating device to perform a predetermined action; and a control
device to set the number of insertion required until the jump-out
member jumps out, cause the action generating device to perform the
predetermined action when the number of insertion of the insertion
members detected by the detection device has reached the set
number, and then cause the releasing device to operate.
2. The jack-in-a-box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number of
insertion required until the jump-out member jumps out is set for
each game.
3. The jack-in-a-box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the number of
insertion required until the jump-out member jumps out is equal to
or less than the number of the insertion holes.
4. The jack-in-a-box as claimed in claim 1, wherein any one of
light emitting operation, sound producing operation and vibration
operation is contained as the predetermined action.
5. The jack-in-a-box as claimed in claim 4, wherein another action
which is distinguishable from the predetermined action is sometimes
performed before the number of insertion of the insertion members
reaches the set number.
6. The jack-in-a-box as claimed in claim 2, wherein any one of
light emitting operation, sound producing operation and vibration
operation is contained as the predetermined action.
7. The jack-in-a-box as claimed in claim 3, wherein any one of
light emitting operation, sound producing operation and vibration
operation is contained as the predetermined action.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a game device.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There has been known a game device in which a plurality of
insertion holes are provided in an outer wall portion of a case and
insertion members are inserted one by one into each of the holes,
and when an insertion member is inserted into a particular
insertion hole that is a hit insertion hole, spring force is
applied to a jump-out member placed in a fixed position of the case
to cause the jump-out member to jump out in a jumping-out direction
(for example, see JP-Jitsukaihei-4-5892-U).
[0003] According to the above jack-in-a-box, to change the
particular insertion hole, i.e. the hit insertion hole, the
jump-out member placed in the fixed position of the case is
rotated.
[0004] Moreover, according to the jack-in-a-box, in order to place
the jump-out member in the fixed position of the case, the jump-out
member is locked while resisting to spring force, and the lock is
released by being hit by an insertion member inserted into the
particular insertion hole, the hit insertion hole.
[0005] However, with respect to the above jack-in-a-box, to change
the particular insertion hole, i.e. the hit insertion hole, the
jump-out member placed in the fixed position in the case is
rotated. Therefore, after the particular insertion hole is changed,
based on the rotated amount of the jump-out member, it has been
possible to guess to a certain extent which hole is to be the
particular insertion hole, the hit insertion hole.
[0006] Further, since the lock is released by being hit by an
insertion member inserted into the particular insertion hole, i.e.
the hit insertion hole, the jump-out member jumps out as soon as
the insertion member is inserted into the particular insertion
hole, the hit insertion hole. As a result, it has not been possible
to enjoy the afterglow or enjoy feeling of tension after the
insertion member is inserted into the particular insertion hole,
the hit insertion hole.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above
points, and an object thereof is to provide a jack-in-a-box whose
operation is difficult to guess, and with which it is possible to
enjoy afterglow as well as feeling of tension.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a
jack-in-a-box of the present invention comprises: a case provided
with a plurality of insertion holes in an outer wall portion
thereof; a jump-out member placed in a fixed position of the case;
a plurality of insertion members to be inserted into each of the
plurality of insertion holes; a jump-out-force applying device to
apply spring force to the jump-out member in a jumping-out
direction; a locking device capable of locking the jump-out member
while resisting the spring force of the jump-out-force applying
device and keeping the jump-out member in the fixed position of the
case; a releasing device to release lock of the locking device; a
detection device to detect insertion of the plurality of insertion
members; an action generating device to perform a predetermined
action; and a control device to set the number of insertion
required until the jump-out member jumps out, cause the action
generating device to perform the predetermined action when the
number of insertion of the insertion members detected by the
detection device has reached the set number, and then cause the
releasing device to operate.
[0009] According to the jack-in-a-box, since the number of
insertion required until the jump-out member jumps out is
automatically set by the control device, it is impossible to guess
when the jump-out member jumps out.
[0010] Moreover, since the jump-out member performs an action
immediately before the jump-out member jumps out, it is possible to
enjoy the afterglow of "hit" or "miss" as well as feeling of
tension.
[0011] Preferably, in the jack-in-a-box, the number of insertion
required until the jump-out member jumps out is set for each game.
For example, "start of a game" is set by turning on a power supply
switch or resetting through a reset switch.
[0012] According to the jack-in-a-box, the number of insertion
required until the jump-out member jumps out is set for each game.
Therefore, when the set number is equal to or less than the number
of insertion members to be inserted in one game, the jump-out
member definitely jumps out in the game. When the set number is
more than the number of insertion members to be inserted in one
game, the jump-out member does not jump out in the game.
Accordingly, as compared with a case where the jump-out member
definitely jumps out in one game, it is possible to enjoy a game
with more varieties.
[0013] Preferably, in the jack-in-a-box, the number of insertion
required until the jump-out member jumps out is equal to or less
than the number of the insertion holes.
[0014] According to the jack-in-a-box, the number of insertion
required until the jump-out member jumps out is equal to or less
than the number of the insertion holes. Therefore, the jump-out
member definitely jumps out by the time when the number of inserted
insertion members reaches the number of the insertion holes.
Accordingly, it is effective when it is desired to distinguish one
player of the game from the other player(s) by using different
colors.
[0015] Preferably, in the jack-in-a-box, any one of light emitting
operation, sound producing operation and vibration operation is
contained as the predetermined action.
[0016] According to the jack-in-a-box, any one of light emitting
operation, sound producing operation and vibration operation is
contained as the predetermined action. Therefore, an interesting
jack-in-a-box can be realized.
[0017] Preferably, in the jack-in-a-box, another action which is
distinguishable from the predetermined action is sometimes
performed before the number of insertion of the insertion members
reaches the set number. The "action which is distinguishable" is,
for example, an action where a light-emitting state, sound, music
or vibration state is different from that of the predetermined
action. "Sometimes performed" means that the another action may not
be performed in some games.
[0018] According to the jack-in-a-box, it is possible to
distinguish the case where the jump-out member jumps out from the
case where the jump-out member does not jump out, based on the
action.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a jack-in-a-box according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the jack-in-a-box
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a jump-out member and a
jump-out-force applying device of the jack-in-a-box according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of the
jump-out-force applying device of the jack-in-a-box according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plane sectional view showing operation of a
detection device of the jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment
of the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B are structural views of a releasing device
of the jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 7A and 7B are structural views of a vibration device
of the jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an internal circuit of the
jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a flowchart regarding operation of a control
device of the jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a table showing a list of hit actions of the
jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a table showing a list of miss actions of the
jack-in-a-box according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0030] 1. Entire Structure
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire jack-in-a-box
according to the present invention.
[0032] As shown in the drawing, a jack-in-a-box 1 includes a case 2
which has a barrel-like appearance and is provided with a plurality
of insertion holes 2b in an outer wall portion 2a, insertion
members 3 to be inserted into the insertion holes 2b, and a
jump-out member 4. Inside the jack-in-a-box 1, provided are: a
jump-out-force applying device 5 (FIG. 2) which applies spring
force to cause the jump-out member 4 to jump out; a locking device
6 capable of locking the jump-out member 4 while resisting the
spring force of the jump-out-force applying device 5 and keeping
the jump-out member 4 in a fixed position of the case 2; a
releasing device 8 (FIGS. 6A and 6B) to release lock of the locking
device 6; a detection device 9 to detect insertion of the insertion
members 3; a sound producing device 10 to generate sound when the
insertion members 3 are inserted; a vibration device 11 to vibrate
the case 2 when the insertion members 3 are inserted; and a control
device 12 to control operation of the releasing device 8, sound
producing device 10, and vibration device 11. The control device 12
automatically sets how many of the insertion members 3 are to be
inserted until reaching a hit mode, and controls operation of the
releasing device 8, vibration device 11, and sound producing device
10 in accordance with the number of inserted insertion members 3,
which number being detected by the detection device 9.
[0033] 2. Entire Operation
[0034] When the insertion members 3 are inserted into the insertion
holes 2b one by one, the sound producing device 10 and the
vibration device 11 are operated in accordance with the number of
inserted insertion members 3, which number being detected by the
detection device 9, and the jack-in-a-box 1 performs various
actions. In the end, the releasing device 8 is operated, and the
jump-out member 4 is caused to jump out by the jump-out-force
applying device 5.
[0035] 2. Detail Structure
[0036] (1) A detail structure of the jack-in-a-box according to the
present invention will be explained based on FIG. 2 and drawings
following thereto.
[0037] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the jack-in-a-box
1, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the jump-out member 4 and
jump-out-force applying device 5, FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional
side view of the jump-out-force applying device 5, FIG. 5 is a
plane sectional view of the jack-in-a-box 1 showing operation of
the detection device 9, and FIGS. 6A and 6B are structural views of
the releasing device 8.
[0038] (2) Case 2
[0039] The case 2 includes, for example, an upper case 13 and a
lower case 14 which can be separated from each other. The case 2 is
formed into a hollow-centered case having a barrel-like appearance.
In the outer wall portion 2a of the case 2, provided are the
plurality of insertion holes 2b into which the insertion members 3
are to be inserted. Further, in a top plate of the upper case 13,
an opening portion 15 for placing the jump-out member 4 thereinto
is provided, and, at the bottom of the lower case 14, a sound
releasing hole (now shown) for releasing sound generated by the
sound producing device 10 is provided.
[0040] (3) Jump-Out Member 4
[0041] The jump-out member 4 has an external appearance like a
doll.
[0042] (4) Jump-Out-Force Applying Device 5
[0043] The jump-out-force applying device 5 applies jump-out force
to the jump-out member 4. The jump-out-force applying device 5
includes a cylindrical body 16 and a rod 17 accommodated in the
cylindrical body 16 so as to be movable upward and downward, as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. An upper end portion of the cylindrical
body 16 is supported on a receiving portion (not shown) provided in
a central portion of the upper case 13, and a lower end portion
thereof is fixedly supported on a receiving portion 18 provided in
a central portion of the lower case 14. A spring 19 to apply
ascending force to the rod 17 is accommodated in the cylindrical
body 16. On an outer circumferential portion of the cylindrical
body 16, provided is the locking device 6 capable of locking the
rod 17 in a descended state while resisting the spring force of the
spring 19.
[0044] (5) Locking Device 6
[0045] The locking device 6 includes a locking lever 20. The
locking lever 20 is attached on the outer circumferential portion
of the cylindrical body 16, and operated around a shaft 21. A pawl
22 formed at a lower end of the locking lever 20 intrudes into the
cylindrical body 16 and can be held at an upper end of a flange 23
provided at a lower end of the rod 17. Further, the locking lever
20 is configured such that the pawl 22 formed at the lower end
thereof is biased toward the inside of the cylindrical body 16 by a
spring 24.
[0046] The lower side of the flange 23 is tapered, and, when the
rod 17 is moved downward, the tapered portion is brought into
contact with the pawl 22 and serves to cause the pawl 22 to move
toward the outside of the cylindrical body 16 while resisting the
biasing force of the spring 19.
[0047] (6) Releasing Device 8
[0048] The releasing device 8 includes a motor 25, a gear 27 to
engage with a motor gear 26, a gear 28 provided coaxially with the
gear 27, another gear 29 to engage with the gear 28, and a rotary
body 31 (cam) which is provided coaxially with the gear 29 and to
which an eccentric pin 30 is attached. A spring 32 for bringing the
gear 27 back to an initial position is attached to the gear 27.
[0049] The releasing device 8 transmits power of the motor 25 to
the rotary body 31 through the gears 26 to 29, and the locking
lever 20 is operated through the eccentric pin 30 (see FIG. 4).
[0050] (7) Detection Device 9
[0051] The detection device 9 includes a ring member 33 and a
detection switch 34, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0052] The ring member 33 is placed on rotary guide portions 35
provided on upper portions of the inside of the lower case 14.
Contact-operation pieces 36 are provided integrally with the ring
member 33 on the upper and lower sides of the ring member 33 such
that the contact-operation pieces 36 are in positions corresponding
to the insertion holes 2b of the case 2.
[0053] Wedge-shaped portions (cams) 36a of the contact-operation
pieces 36 apply torque to the ring member 33 upon reception of
contact force from an insertion member 3 inserted into an arbitrary
insertion hole 2b of the case 2.
[0054] With respect to the ring member 33, the cams 36a of the
contact-operation pieces 36 are ordinarily placed on the inner side
of the insertion holes 2b of the case 2 due to a return spring 37.
When an insertion member 3 inserted from an insertion hole 2b of
the case 2 is brought into contact with a cam 36a, the ring member
33 is rotated by a predetermined angle clockwise when viewed from
the above. The ring member 33 returns to the initial position
through an opening portion 38 of the insertion member 3. That is,
the ring member 33 performs one reciprocal rotation each time an
insertion member 3 is inserted.
[0055] The detection switch 34 is provided on the ring member 33.
The detection switch 34 is a normal open switch, and switch pieces
34a and 34b forming a pair are placed inside a C-shaped portion 39
formed on the lower case 14. As a result, the detection switch 34
is temporarily turned on every time the ring member 33 performs
reciprocal rotation operation.
[0056] (8) Sound Producing Device 10 (Action Generating Device)
[0057] The sound producing device 10 includes a D/A conversion unit
to convert sound data stored in a storage device 40 into an analog
signal, an amplification unit to amplify the analog signal, and a
speaker.
[0058] (9) Vibration Device 11 (Action Generating Device)
[0059] The vibration device 11 includes a motor 41, a gear 43 to
engage with a motor gear 42, a gear 44 provided coaxially with the
gear 43, a gear 45 to engage with the gear 44, a gear 46 provided
coaxially with the gear 45, a gear 47 to engage with the gear 46, a
rotary body 49 (cam) which is provided coaxially with the gear 47
and to which an eccentric pin 48 is attached, and a swing body 52
which engages with the eccentric pin 48 through a long hole 50 and
swings around a shaft 51, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0060] The vibration device 11 transmits power of the motor 41 to
the rotary body 49 through the gears 42 to 47, and the swing body
52 is swung through the eccentric pin 48.
[0061] (10) Control Device 12
[0062] The control device 12 controls the releasing device 8, sound
producing device 10 and vibration device 11 in accordance with a
game program stored in the storage device 40, as shown in the block
diagram in FIG. 8.
[0063] Next, operation of the control device 12 performed in
accordance with operation of inserting the insertion members 3 will
be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9. As shown in
the drawing, when insertion of an insertion member 3 into an
insertion hole 2b is detected by the detection device 9 (Step S10:
YES) and the insertion member 3 is the first inserted insertion
member (Step S12: YES), the control device 12 generates a random
number within the range of the number of the insertion holes 2b
("1" to "24") provided in the jack-in-a-box 1 (Step S14). The
control device 12 judges as "hit" when the number of inserted
insertion members 3 reaches the number corresponding to the hit
random number (Step S16: YES). When the control device 12 has
judged that the insertion operation is "hit", a hit action is
caused based on action patterns of hit actions stored in the
storage device 40 beforehand (Step S18).
[0064] A list of the hit actions is shown in FIG. 10. For each kind
of the hit actions, there are set an action pattern containing
sound effect data unique thereto and a probability of occurrence of
the hit action. Moreover, for each action pattern, defined is a
combination of, for example, operation of producing sound of sound
effect using the sound producing device 10, operation of vibrating
the jack-in-a-box 1 using the vibration device 11, and a timing of
jump-out operation of the jump-out member 4. The hit actions are
classified into normal hit and reach hit, as shown in FIG. 10. When
the normal hit is selected, there is caused a hit action where,
after the jump-out member 4 has jumped out with jumping-out sound,
sound producing operation using sound effect and vibration
operation are performed. When the reach hit is selected, there is
caused a hit action where sound producing operation using sound
effect and vibration operation are performed, and then the jump-out
member 4 jumps out with jumping-out sound.
[0065] The control device 12 selects a hit action from the list of
the hit actions based on the probability of occurrence, when
insertion operation is judged as "hit". More concretely, for
example, a kind of hit action is assigned beforehand to numeric
values "1" to "100" based on the probability of occurrence of each
kind of hit actions. The control device 12 generates a random
number within the range of "1" to "100" when insertion operation
has been judged as "hit", and determines a hit action to be caused.
The control device 12 causes the hit action by controlling the
sound producing device 10, vibration device 11, jump-out-force
applying device 5 and the like in accordance with the corresponding
action pattern.
[0066] The hit actions contain advanced reach hit actions (for
example, "advanced reach hit C" and "advanced reach hit D" of the
kinds of the hit actions as shown in FIG. 11). When an advanced
reach hit action has been caused, the game is proceeded in such an
exceptional manner that the same person continuously inserts
another insertion member 3. In this case, the jack-in-a-box 1 is
operated such that the jump-out member 4 jumps out in accordance
with insertion operation of the another insertion member 3.
[0067] Moreover, the control device 12 judges as "miss" when the
number of inserted insertion members 3 is below the hit random
number (Step S16: NO). When the control device 12 has judged that
insertion operation is "miss", a miss action is caused based on the
action patterns of the miss actions stored in the storage device 40
(Step S20), and then the process is returned to Step S10 to repeat
the processing.
[0068] A list of the miss actions is shown in FIG. 11. For each
kind of the miss actions, there are set an action pattern
containing sound effect data unique thereto and a probability of
occurrence of the miss action. Moreover, for each action pattern,
defined is a combination of, for example, operation of producing
sound of sound effect using the sound producing device 10, and
operation of vibrating the jack-in-a-box 1 using the vibration
device 11. For example, for "reach miss C" of the kinds of the miss
actions, an action pattern containing sound effect data unique
thereto and a probability of occurrence "5(%)" are set.
[0069] The control device 12 selects a miss action from the list of
the miss actions based on the probability of occurrence, when
insertion operation is judged as "miss". More concretely, as in the
same manner of selecting a hit action, for example, a miss action
to be caused is determined by using a random number. The control
device 12 causes a miss action by controlling the sound producing
device 10, vibration device 11 and the like in accordance with the
corresponding action pattern.
[0070] Moreover, as in the case of the hit actions, the miss
actions contain advanced reach miss actions (for example, "advanced
reach miss A" and "advanced reach miss B" of the kinds of the miss
actions as shown in FIG. 11). Also when an advanced reach miss
action has been caused, the game is proceeded in such an
exceptional manner that the same person continuously inserts
another insertion member 3. When an advanced reach miss action is
has been caused, the insertion operation of the continuously
inserted another insertion member is processed as "miss".
[0071] For example, when the hit random number is "10", the control
device 12 judges as "hit" at the time when the tenth insertion
member 3 is inserted. When an advanced reach miss action is caused
in accordance with any one of nine times of insertion operation,
the continuously inserted another insertion member 3 is not taken
into consideration. That is, when an advanced reach miss action is
caused once in accordance with any one of nine times of insertion
operation, the control device 12 judges as "hit" in accordance with
operation of inserting an eleventh insertion member 3.
[0072] Moreover, when the generated hit random number is "24", the
control device 12 performs control such that an advanced hit action
(for example, "advanced reach hit C" and "advanced reach hit D" of
the kinds of hit actions as shown in FIG. 10) is not caused. More
concretely, when the hit action selected based on the random number
is an advanced reach hit action, the control device 12 generates a
random number again and selects a hit action again.
[0073] (11) Others
[0074] Although not particularly limited, a battery is used as a
power source. The battery is detachably accommodated in the case 2.
A knob of a power supply switch may be specially provided on the
case 2; however, the power supply switch may be turned on when the
rod 17 is moved downward.
[0075] 4. Modifications of the Invention
[0076] Hereinabove, an embodiment of the present invention has been
described. The present invention, however, is not limited to the
above embodiment. It goes without saying that various modifications
can be made without departing from spirit and scope of the
invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0077] To describe advantageous effect of the representative
embodiment of the present invention, a jack-in-a-box comprises: a
case provided with a plurality of insertion holes in an outer wall
portion thereof; a jump-out member placed in a fixed position of
the case; a plurality of insertion members to be inserted into each
of the plurality of insertion holes; a jump-out-force applying
device to apply spring force to the jump-out member in a
jumping-out direction; a locking device capable of locking the
jump-out member while resisting the spring force of the
jump-out-force applying device and keeping the jump-out member in
the fixed position of the case; a releasing device to release lock
of the locking device; a detection device to detect insertion of
the plurality of insertion members; an action generating device to
perform a predetermined action; and a control device to set the
number of insertion required until the jump-out member jumps out,
cause the action generating device to perform the predetermined
action when the number of insertion of the insertion members
detected by the detection device has reached the set number, and
then cause the releasing device to operate; therefore, there is
realized a jack-in-a-box whose operation is difficult to guess, and
with which it is possible to enjoy afterglow as well as feeling of
tension.
* * * * *