Foot Operated Game Apparatus

Abstract

A foot operated game apparatus for moving a ball element through a maze. The game apparatus includes a base frame with channels formed therein. A cover plate is mounted to an upper surface of the base frame and permits an operator to stand on the apparatus. A resilient member is secured to a lower surface of the base frame. As the operator applies pressure to a specific area of the cover plate, the resilient member is compressively displaced in that area and the base frame tilts. By manipulating foot pressure on various areas of the cover plate, the operator may tilt the apparatus in a predetermined direction to guide the ball through a predetermined path within the channels.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to the field of game apparatus. In particular this invention relates to the field of displacing a movable element through a maze in accordance with the skill of an operator. More in particular, this invention pertains to the field of displacing a movable element within a base frame through a predetermined path by the application of foot pressure on specific areas of the base frame.

2. Prior Art

Devices for the displacement of a movable element through a predetermined path responsive to the skill of the operator are known in the art. However, some prior devices of this type take the form of hand operated games or puzzles. In such prior devices the operator tilts or inclines the mechanism at various angles to force a movable element through a predetermined path. However, hand-eye coordination is utilized in this type of mechanism. Foot-eye coordination, as described in the instant invention, is quite different and requires skills of an independent nature than such prior mechanisms teach.

Other prior devices provide checker-like pieces to be moved on a game board which has rubber feet around the periphery of the board. The operators tilt the board by pushing downward and compressing the rubber feet or base in specific areas. A ball or other movable element is thus moved on the board. However, such devices are adapted to finger pressure and not foot pressure and such devices do not exhibit a maze type of board.

Other prior devices rely on foot-eye coordination where an operator manipulates a platform by changing foot pressure on specific areas of the device. However, such devices, although tiltable, incorporate no puzzle or maze concept. Such prior mechanisms usually only provide exercise for the operator. Other prior mechanisms show a wobble board where the operator stands on the board and by a rocking and pivoting action, the board is moved across a floor or other base surface. However, such mechanisms do not incorporate the displacement of a movable element with respect to the board, but the board itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a foot operated game apparatus.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a foot operated game apparatus which utilizes eye-foot coordinating skills of the operator.

A still further object of the subject invention is to provide an apparatus which is both amusing and provides exercise for the operator.

A foot operated game apparatus for displacing a movable element through a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a base frame having channels formed therein for providing the predetermined path for the movable element. A platform mechanism is mounted to an upper surface of the base frame and is adapted to provide a foot stand for an operator of the game apparatus. An inclination mechanism is secured on a first end thereof to a lower surface of the base frame and interfaces with a base surface on a second end thereof. The base frame it tilted with respect to the base surface responsive to foot pressure applied by the operator to the platform mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the foot operated game apparatus partially in section showing the platform mechanism upon which the operator stands;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foot operated game apparatus taken along the section line 2--2 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 3 is a perspective section view of an embodiment of the apparatus showing spring members to provide an inclination mechanism for the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown foot operated game or maze apparatus 1 for providing a game of amusement and skill to an operator. In general, the operator stands atop maze apparatus 1 and manipulates a ball or movable element 14 through a predetermined path within base frame 2. The object of the game is to displace ball or movable element 14, by applying varying foot pressure to different segmental areas of apparatus 1. Element 14 may be moved either to central cavity 12 from opening 15 or to side opening 15 from cavity 12. Foot operated game apparatus 1 comprises base frame 2 having channels 26 formed therein for providing a predetermined path for movable element 14. Platform 8 which also may serve as a base frame cover is mounted to an upper surface of base frame 2 and is adapted to provide a foot stand for the operator. Resilient member 7 provides a mechanism whereby base frame 2 may be inclined, thus permitting ball or movable element 14 to be displaced through channels 26 through gravity assist.

As is clearly seen in FIG. 1, channels 26 are formed by a plurality of curvilinearly directed wall members 4. Wall members 4 are secured to a lower portion of base frame 2 and extend in an upward direction with respect thereto. In general, wall members 4 may be fastened to base frame 2 or molded in one piece formation as is shown in cross-sectional FIG. 2. Base frame 2 may have a generally circular contour as is shown or other geometric design not important to the inventive concept as herein detailed. Wall members 4, mounted to base frame lower surface 5 are shown to have a generally circular contour, with each of walls 4 having a different radius of curvature to provide a series of channels or lanes 26 through which ball or movable element 14 may move.

Each of wall members 4 is discontinuous to provide openings at predetermined segmental areas 22 to allow ball element 14 to pass from one channel or lane 26 to a next succeeding one. In order to provide a maze through which ball 14 may move, channels 26 have element stop members 21 passing between adjacent wall members 4 as is shown in FIG. 1. In this manner, ball element 14 may be displaced within one channel or lane 26 until it strikes stop element 21. At this point, the operator must manipulate his foot pressure to move ball element 14 away from stop element 21 and into an appropriate opening 22 in order to allow movable element 14 to pass to the next succeeding channel 26.

Cover plate or platform 8 is secured to base frame 2 through interaction of cover base frame insert 9 with frame side wall shoulder 3 as is shown in FIG. 2. Frame cover 8 may be inserted into side wall shoulder 3 along a peripheral boundary thereof. Mating of cover base frame insert 9 with shoulder 3 of base frame 2 may be through force fit, adhesion, bolting, or some like means not important to the inventive concept as herein detailed. Additionally, frame cover 8 may be interfaced with wall members 4 within cover channel lower surfaces 13 as is shown in FIG. 2. In this manner, support for cover plate 8 is not only given throughout the periphery of base frame 2 but is additionally aided by the support of wall members 4. This has the effect of increasing the structural integrity of the entire maze apparatus 1 when the operator is compressively loading base frame 2 by standing on it. Wall members 4 may be interfaced with cover plate 8 by force fitting wall members 4 into recesses formed on a lower surface of cover plate 8, through adhesive means or some like technique.

Cover plate 8 may be transparent for permitting the operator to view the displacement of movable element 14 responsive to the tilting action of base frame 2 with respect to some base or ground surface upon which apparatus 1 rests. Cover plate 8 may be made of a clear plastic or some like material, the only restriction being that the material be able to withstand the structural load of an operator standing on top of it. Additionally, cover plate 8 as is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes through opening 10 through which ball element 14 may be placed into central cavity 12 of base frame 2. In this manner, ball or movable element 14 may be inserted into central cavity 12 by the operator. By manipulating foot pressure on various segments of cover plate 8 the operator then may try to displace ball 14 through channels 26 leading to an outer periphery of maze apparatus 1. Side opening 15 provides a conduit through which ball 14 may be passed external to apparatus 1 after the operator has manipulated movable element 14 to a most external channel 26. Conversely, side opening 15 may be used to initiate the game by allowing ball 14 to be initially inserted into a most outer channel 26 and by foot manipulation pressure the operator may try to force movable element 14 to central cavity 12.

In order to allow base frame 2 to be tilted away from the horizontal plane in which it normally resides, inclination mechanism or resilient member 7 is secured on an upper or first end thereof to base frame lower surface 5 by inserting resilient member 7 into a channel formed by frame appendages 6 as is shown in FIG. 2. Resilient member 7 passes around the periphery of the lower surface 5 of base frame 2 and permits the base frame to be tilted with respect to the ground or base surface responsive to any foot pressure applied by the operator to the platform or cover 8. Resilient member 7 interfaces with the ground or other base surface on bottom surface 11 and any pressure displacement of resilient member 7 in the force loading zone defined by the application of the foot pressure of the operator.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 where maze apparatus 16 is provided with a plurality of springs 20 insertable within spring insert members 19. Spring insert members 19 are mounted to base frame 18 on a lower surface thereof. Springs 20 may be removably secured from annular spring insert members 19 for ease in packaging. Operation of maze apparatus 16 is substantially similar to that of foot operating game apparatus 1 wherein the operator stands on cover 17 and manipulates ball element 14 through channels 26 in some predetermined path. By applying compressive force to various springs 20 base frame 18 may be tilted in any direction to permit movement or displacement of ball 14 through gravity assist.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A foot operated game apparatus for displacing a moveable element through a predetermined path, comprising:

a. a circular base frame having channels therein formed by at least two curvilinearly directed wall members secured to a lower portion of said base frame and extending in an upward direction with respect thereto, said wall members including openings formed therein at predetermined segmental areas for providing said predetermined path for said movable element;

b. means for permitting insertion of said movable element into said channels, said insertion means forming a conduit from an outer boundary surface of said base frame to at least one of said channels,

c. platform means mounted to an upper surface of said base frame and adapted to provide a foot stand for an operator of said game apparatus, including a cover plate member secured to and completely covering said base frame, adapted for said operator to stand on said cover plate member and apply foot pressure to an upper surface thereof, said cover plate being transparent for permitting said operator to view said displacement of said movable element responsive to tilting of said base frame surface and said cover plate including a through opening formed substantially at the center area of said cover plate, said opening being adjacent a central cavity of said base frame to permit insertion of said movable element therein, said cover plate provided with means on the lower surface thereof to interface with the tops of at least some of said wall portions to provide support for said cover plate when said apparatus is compressively loaded by the operator standing on said cover plate, said movable element being a ball element having a diameter less than the width of said channels for permitting said ball element to be tiltably moved through said predetermined path,

d. inclination means having a first end thereof secured to a lower surface of said base frame adjacent the periphery thereof and having a second end adapted to interface with a base surface for permitting said base frame to be tilted in any direction with respect to said base surface responsive to

2. The foot operated game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said inclination means includes a resilient material secured to said lower surface of said base frame, said resilient material passing continuously

3. The foot operated game apparatus as recited in claim 1 where said inclination means includes a plurality of spring members mounted to said lower surface of said base frame, said spring members being mounted in substantially equal angle displacement each from each other.