U.S. patent number 3,856,304 [Application Number 05/355,728] was granted by the patent office on 1974-12-24 for boxing game.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Tony Kogyo Company, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Masaru Aoki, Takao Matsumoto.
United States Patent |
3,856,304 |
Matsumoto , et al. |
December 24, 1974 |
BOXING GAME
Abstract
The boxing game of the present invention consists of a base upon
which two housings are mounted for predetermined sliding movement,
each housing being provided with handles extending therefrom within
which operating buttons are mounted, boxing figurines are mounted
on the housings and provided with torsos arranged to rock when
struck and arms capable of being extended outwardly, individually
and in combination, a system operatively connecting the operating
buttons to the arms of each figurine for controlling movement of
the arms, and a counting and recording system responsive to the
rocking of each torso to record the number of successful blows and
terminate the match in a predetermined manner.
Inventors: |
Matsumoto; Takao (Tokyo,
JA), Aoki; Masaru (Tokyo, JA) |
Assignee: |
Tony Kogyo Company, Ltd.
(Tokyo, JA)
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Family
ID: |
27938444 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/355,728 |
Filed: |
April 30, 1973 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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May 10, 1972 [JA] |
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47-54809 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/440.1;
446/334 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H
13/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63H
13/06 (20060101); A63H 13/00 (20060101); A63f
009/14 (); A63h 013/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;46/142,143
;273/DIG.26,85F,94F,1R ;272/DIG.5,76 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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772,876 |
|
Dec 1967 |
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CA |
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1,092,358 |
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Nov 1954 |
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FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Oechsle; Anton O.
Assistant Examiner: Strappello; Harry G.
Claims
I claim:
1. A boxing game comprising:
a base;
two housings, means mounting said housings for movement on said
base, said housings being provided with handles having actuator
members;
boxing figurines mounted on said housings in opposed relationship,
each of said figurines having arms, means causing said arms to
extend outwardly, a torso and means causing said torso to rock when
contacted;
means operatively connecting said actuator members of said housings
to said means causing said arms to extend outwardly of said
figurines;
means counting and recording the number of times said torso of each
of said figurines is rocked as a result of being contacted by at
least one of the arms of the opposing figurine; and
means causing each of said figurines to rock backwardly out of
position after said torso is contacted and rocked a predetermined
plurality of times.
2. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said arms of said figurines
include upper segments and wherein said means causing said arms to
extend outwardly comprises a lever associated with each of said
actuating members and mounted to said housing, one end of each of
said levers being disposed directly below the corresponding
actuating member, a rod associated with each of said levers and
having a lower end resting against the other end of the said lever
and operatively connected at its upper end to one of said upper arm
segments of each of said arms, and means normally urging each of
said arms downwardly from its extended position.
3. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said means mounting said
housings for movement on said base comprises slots formed in said
base and supports extending downwardly from said housings and
extending through said slots.
4. A boxing game as in claim 3, wherein said slots are positioned
on said base such that when one of said figurines is in its
forwardmost position and said arms thereof are fully extended, and
the other of said figurines is in its rearwardmost position, the
extended arms of said one figurine cannot touch said torso of said
other figurine.
5. A boxing game as in claim 1, wherein said means causing said
arms to extend outwardly comprises a chassis included within said
figurine, two shafts connected to said chassis, each of said arms
comprising a lower section provided with a glove, two upper
sections, means pivotally connecting said lower section to said
upper sections and means mounting said upper sections to rotate
about said shafts.
6. A boxing game comprising:
a base;
two housings, means mounting said housings for movement on said
base, said housings being provided with handles having actuator
members;
boxing figurines mounted on said housings in opposed relationship,
each of said figurines having arms, means causing said arms to
extend outwardly, a torso and means causing said torso to rock when
contacted;
means operatively connecting said actuator members of said housings
to said means causing said arms to extend outwardly of said
figurines; and
means counting and recording the number of times said torso of each
of said figurines is rocked as a result of being contacted by at
least one of the arms of the opposing figurine, comprising a rod
operatively connected at its upper end to each of said torsos, a
control knob operatively mounted for rotation with respect to each
of said housings and means operatively connecting said rod and said
control knob for advancing said control knob a number of degrees
each time said rod is moved downwardly by the rocking action of its
associated torso, said control knob being provided with indicia
corresponding to said number of degrees such that the user is
advised of the number of times said torso has been rocked.
7. A boxing game as in claim 6, including means causing each of
said figurines to move to inoperative position as its associated
control knob advances a predetermined number of degrees.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the class of toys
wherein one or more players simulate the action of a competitive
sport. In particular, the invention is directed towards a boxing
game wherein the players manipulate boxing figurines permitting
same to perform all of the normal functions of a boxer, including
moving forward, from side to side, rearward and jabbing and
punching with both arms, individually or in combinations.
Additionally, each of the boxing figurines is provided with a
system for detecting when a successful blow has been landed, and
thereafter recording same. Upon landing a predetermined number of
successful blows, the losing boxer automatically rotates to the
floor of the canvas.
All of the normal functions attributable to a boxer may be
performed by the amusement device disclosed herein which is
characterized by its simplicity in construction, low cost of
manufacture and reliability of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the boxing game invention
illustrating the base which may be suitably mounted upon any flat
surface and the housings upon which the boxing figurines are
mounted, the positioning of the players' hands upon the operating
handles, as well as some indication of the mobility of the boxing
figurines, being shown in phantom;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the boxing game invention illustrating
the rotating capability of the housings upon which the figurines
are mounted and further mobility of the boxing figurines;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a housing upon which one of
the boxing figurines is mounted, and the actuating rods extending
from the housing to the body of the boxer for controlling movement
of both arms, as well as registering a successful blow on the torso
by the opponent;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating an arm of one of the
boxing figurines in normal position and the corresponding actuating
button on the housing in its inoperative position;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view illustrating the same arm of the
boxing figurine being moved outwardly into attacking position as
the corresponding actuating button is depressed by the thumb of the
player;
FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of one of
the boxers with a part of the torso thereof removed exposing the
actuating rods and the connection of one of the arms to the
torso;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of part of one of the boxers with
a part of the torso thereof removed exposing one of the actuating
rods and the arrangement whereby the torso is permitted to rock
when struck by the opponent;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the components of one of the arms
of one of the boxers when inoperative;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the arm extending into attacking
position as the corresponding actuating rod is raised;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components
of the system mounted within each of the housings for detecting and
recording the landing of a successful blow on the torso of the
boxer figurine;
FIG. 10a is a perspective view illustrating release of the counting
mechanism as the actuating rod secured to the torso is moved
downwardly by the rocking action of the torso;
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view illustrating the rotation of the
platform upon which each of the boxing figurines is mounted after a
predetermined number of successful blows have been landed, this
action simulating a knockdown signalling the end of the bout;
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating the normal position
of one of the boxing figurines;
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view illustrating rotation of the
torso of the boxer as a successful blow is landed by his opponent;
and
FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of one of the boxing figurines
illustrating the rocking capability achieved by moving the handles
of each housing from side to side.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The boxing game toy of the present invention, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a base 10, each corner of which is
provided with an opening 12. The base may thus be secured by
appropriate fixtures, for example, screws, to any surface upon
which the base rests, for example, a table top, to thus prevent the
base 10 from sliding. Within the top surface of the base 10 are
located two elongated slots 14.
Each of the boxer figurines, generally designated by the reference
numeral 16, is positioned upon a housing 18. Each of the housings
18 is, in turn, provided with a downwardly depending support 20
which extends through the corresponding slot 14 permitting the
housing 18 and figurine 16 to move backward and forward, as
illustrated in FIG. 2.
The housings 18 are provided with upwardly extending handles 22
which are gripped by the left and right hands 24 and 26,
respectively, of the players. Mounted for reciprocating movement
within each of the handles 22 is a button 28 which when depressed
by the thumb of the user causes the corresponding arm of the boxer
to move, as explained in detail hereinafter.
Turning now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that each of the housings 18
is provided with a lever 40 mounted for rotation about a shaft 42
appropriately journalled within the walls of the housing 18. One
end of the lever 40 is provided with a resilient member 44 against
which the lower flange 38 of the corresponding rod 34 is supported.
The other end of each lever 40 engages the lowermost portion of
each of the buttons 28. It is to be understood that each of the
buttons 28, 28' , 28" and 28'" is associated with a corresponding
lever 40 for operating an associated rod 34. Thus, as the user
depresses the button 28, the lever 40 is caused to rotate thus
raising the rod 34 in the manner depicted in FIG. 5.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is noted that each of the arms 32
comprises a lower arm section 46 from which the glove 64 extends
and upper arm sections 48 and 50. The lower arm section 46 is
mounted to the upper arm section 50 for rotation about a connecting
pin 52. In like manner the lower arm section 46 is mounted to the
upper arm section 48 for rotation about a connecting pin 54. The
upwardly disposed end of the upper arm section 50 is operatively
mounted to and for rotation about a shaft 56 mounted within a
chassis 58 provided within the torso 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 5,
6 and 8. In like manner, the upwardly disposed end of the upper arm
section 48 is secured to and mounted for rotation about a shaft 60
which is also mounted within the chassis 58. Finally, springs 62,
as illustrated in FIG. 6, are used to connect the upper flanges 36
of each of the rods 34 to the chassis 58. Thus, under the influence
of the springs 62 each of the rods 34 is normally urged downwardly
into the position illustrated in FIG. 4. This, of course, insures
that the buttons 28 within the handles 22 are normally in raised
position.
As will now be apparent, as the user depresses any one of the
buttons 28, 28' , 28" and 28'" , the corresponding rod 34 is moved
upwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 5 against the force of
the spring 62. Upward movement of the rod 34 causes, as illustrated
in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper arm sections 48 and 50 to rotate about
the rods 60 and 56, respectively, causing the lower arm section 46
and the glove 64 to extend outwardly rotating in relationship to
the upper arm sections 48 and 50 about the pins 52 and 54,
respectively.
The boxing action will now be described. Initially, the handles 22
are pulled backwardly causing the housings 18 to move backwardly
within the slots 14 to the most rearward position. The slots 14 are
located in such a manner that when the boxing figurines 16 are both
pulled rearwardly by the players, each boxer 16 is out of range of
his opponent's gloves, even when extended. That is, when one of the
boxing figurines 16 is pulled rearwardly by the handles 22, his
opponent, even if pushed to the most forward position, cannot
strike a blow even when the arms are extended. This feature insures
that each player is permitted to move his boxer 16 to safety and be
out of range of his opponent, if desired. The boxers 16 are
permitted to move forward, and then to retreat, by the player
pushing forward or pulling back on the handles 22, as generally
illustrated in FIG. 1. Also, the boxing figurines 16 may be turned
from side to side, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2, since
the supports 20 of the housings 18 are free to rotate within the
slots 14. As the boxers 16 move forward, rearward and from side to
side, the players selectively, and in combination, depress the
buttons 28, 28' , 28" and 28'" causing the gloves 64 to move
forward varying degrees controlled by the degree of depression of
the buttons 28, to perform the usual boxing strokes, for example,
jabbing. It will be further noted from FIG. 14 that the bottom
surface 66 of each of the housings 18 rests upon an up-raised ledge
68 formed as an integral part of the top surface of the base 10.
Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 14, during the boxing match the
players may tilt the boxing figurines 16 from side to side to gain
advantage and to block punches.
As will be further apparent from FIG. 1, the gloves 64, when fully
extended, are in the general proximity of the head 70 and the top
of the torso 30 of an opponent. The objective is to strike the head
70 on torso 30 of one's opponent with the gloves 64. To stimulate
the interest of the players, a system has been devised for
detecting and recording blows to the head and torso, now to be
described.
Returning to FIGS. 3, 6, 4, 7, it will be noticed that a third rod
72 passes upwardly through the top of each of the housings 18
terminating upwardly in a flange 74 fixedly secured to the back of
the torso 30. The hollow torso 30 is, in turn, permitted to rotate
about the shafts 56 and 60. A spring 76 operatively connects the
torso 30 to the chassis 58 so as to normally hold the head 70 of
the torso 30 in its forward position.
Turning now to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the bottom portion 78
of each rod 72 protrudes downwardly into the counting mechanism now
to be described.
Suitably mounted within each housing 18 is a frame 80 below which a
chassis 82 is secured. An arm 84 terminating to the side in plate
86 is mounted for rotation about a pin 88 journalled within the
arms 90 extending upwardly from the chassis 82. A spring 92 is
secured at one end thereof to a hook 94 which forms part of the arm
84 and at the other end thereof to the chassis 82. Thus, the plate
86 is normally urged upwardly engaging the bottom 78 of the rod
72.
At the other end of the chassis 82 is found an arm 96 mounted for
rotation about a shaft 98 secured to the chassis 82. A spring 100
is secured at one end to the free end 102 of the arm 96 and at the
other end thereof to the chassis 82, thus normally urging the arm
96 to the right. Spaced inwardly from the arm 96 is a disc 104
provided along the surface thereof with a cut-out portion 106. The
disc 104 is secured to a shaft 108 appropriately journalled to the
chassis 82. A coil spring 110 is wound around the lowermost portion
of the shaft 108 and secured at its free end to the chassis 82. A
gear wheel 112 is mounted to the shaft 108 such that the teeth
thereof mesh with the teeth of a gear wheel 114 mounted for
rotation about a shaft 116 journalled within the chassis 82.
Positioned above the gear wheel 114 is a larger gear wheel 118
having teeth that mesh with the teeth of a gear wheel 120 secured
to a shaft 122 also journalled within the chassis 82. Secured to
the top of the shaft 122 for rotation therewith is a disc 124
provided at the top thereof with a ridge 126.
As will be apparent from FIG. 11, the feet of the boxing figurine
16 are mounted upon a platform 128 mounted to the housing 18 for
rotation about a shaft 130 extending therethrough. Returning to
FIG. 10, it is noted that a latching element 132 is mounted for
rotation about a shaft 134 appropriately journalled within the
housing 18 in any suitable manner. The latching element 132 is
normally urged counterclockwise by a spring 136 secured at one end
to the housing 18 in any conventional manner and at the other end
thereof to an arm 138 formed as a part of the latching element 132.
As will be further apparent, the latching element 132 extends
upwardly through an opening 140 formed at the right end of the
frame 80 and also through an opening 142 formed in the platform
128, as seen in FIG. 11. Finally, a spring plate 144 is mounted
within the housing 18 such that its upper end thereof engages the
bottom surface of the platform 128.
The operation of the detecting and counting system will now be
described. Initially, each of the players rotates his control knob
146 which is secured to the shaft 108. In this manner, the coil
spring 110 is wound tightly. As the players box, the gloves 64 of
the figurines 16 eventually score by striking the heads 70 and
torsos 30 of their opponents. At the moment of contact, the torso
30 of the boxer that has been struck rotates, as previously
explained, about the shafts 56 and 60. Rotation of the torso 30, in
turn, causes the rod 72 to be moved downwardly. Downward movement
of the rod 72 causes the lower end 78 thereof to force the plate 86
downwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 10a, causing the left end of the
arm 84 to rotate upwardly at which time the disc 124 and ridge 126
are free to rotate counterclockwise under the influence of the
spring 110 acting through the gears 112, 114, 118 and 120. Of
course, the torso 30 rotates back to its normal position under the
influence of the spring 76 thus causing the rod 72 to move upwardly
returning the arm 84 to its normal position blocking the ridge 126
so as to preclude more than one revolution of the disc 124. It will
be further apparent that during this interval the shaft 108 has
rotated a fixed degree determined by the ratio of the various
gears. As will be further apparent, during this rotation of the
shaft 108, the cut-out portion 106 has advanced a predetermined
degree. In this connection, it is noted that the fixed increments
of rotation of the shaft 108 are designated by numbers shown on the
top of the control knob 146 starting at "zero" and terminating at
21.
As the boxing match continues the gloves 64 of the respective
boxers 16 continue to strike their opponents causing the respective
rods 72 to move downwardly, as the torsos 30 rotate, releasing the
respective discs 104 for rotation. Eventually, the cut-out portion
106 of the disc 104 rotates into juxtaposition with the flange 146
protruding outwardly from the rotating arm 96 thus causing the arm
96 to rotate counterclockwise under the influence of the spring 100
until the flange 146 fits within the cut-out portion 106.
As further seen in FIG. 10, the arm 96 is provided with an
upstanding cylindrical abutment 148 which fits within a
corresponding opening 150 formed in the left-hand side of the plate
80. Thus, as the arm 96 rotates counterclockwise, the similar
movement of the abutment 148 forces the frame 80 to slide to the
right at which time the wall of the opening 140 engages the
latching element 132 eventually moving same to the right, in turn,
releasing the latching element 132 from the opening 142 in the
platform 128. At this juncture, the platform 128 rotates abruptly
counterclockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The boxer that has
been struck a predetermined number of times -21- thus falls
backwardly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, signalling the end of the
match. It is to be noted that each player by watching the rotation
of the control knob 146 is kept advised as to the number of times
his boxer has been struck.
As will be further apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the base 10 is
provided with openings within which practice punching bags 152 may
be positioned. This permits the usual warming up exercise, if
desired.
* * * * *