Patent Application
20080303213
The present invention relates to a game designed to capture the fun and spirit of soccer in a table top format. Prior art table top soccer games are generally based simply on an opponent's ability to make a goal in a miniaturized setting. Thus prior art table top soccer games tend to lack complexity or variation of game play. The present invention provides an innovative and novel table top soccer game that allows for variety and chance to game play.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,457 teaches a table top game comprising an enclosed housing with figurines representing soccer players and a spring-loaded means to propel a marble representing a soccer ball. The outcome of the game is based on a player's ability to propel the marble in an opponent's goal and the mode of play is similar to that of conventional pinball games.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,397 teaches a table top soccer game comprising figures that come into contact with a representative soccer ball and players attempt to propel the “soccer ball” into an opponent's goal. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,397 Patent, figures come into contact with a representative soccer ball through propelled motion accomplished when players form a squeezing motion between the thumb and index finger.
The present invention provides a novel table top soccer game that provides more complexity and variety compared to prior art table top soccer games. Players attempt to propel a representative soccer ball into an opponent's goal, being careful to avoid placement of the ball in an out of bounds areas. In the event a player lodges the ball in the out of bounds area, the opposing team gains possession of the ball and may shoot on his opponent's goal. The invention further provides alternative modes of play, incorporating the optional use of playing cards, to provide variety to game play.
The present invention relates to a table top soccer game for use by 2 to 4 players. Soccer competitors are represented by 12 individual figurines, divided into two groups of six per team. The figurines rest on top of a game board, with markings on the game board imitating a standard soccer field. Four of the six figurines to a team are attached to the game board and fixed in position. Two of the six figurines can be freely manipulated and controlled by the players. A marble or other spherical unit is used to represent a soccer ball. The soccer ball is also unattached to the game board and can be moved and controlled when a player grasps a detached figurine and makes impact with the ball.
Playing cards can also be incorporated in game play, providing variety to game outcome based on chance, rather than technical ability alone.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a table top soccer game.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a table top soccer game that allows for 2 or 4 players to play at the same time.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a table top soccer game that allows for the option of using specialized playing cards that allow for variety in game outcome and play.
The game board comprises two goal areas 4, located at opposite ends of the board. The game board further comprises out of bounds areas 6 and field of play areas 5. When attempting to shoot on an opponent's goal, the shooting team must avoid having the ball rest within the out of bounds areas. Areas falling out of bounds 6 are indicated through separate and distinct markings or color when compared to the field of play.
The object of the game is to propel a marble or other spherical unit representing a soccer ball 20, into an opponent's goal. The two teams alternate turns as either a shooting team or a blocking team. The players flip a coin to determine who serves as the shooting team first. The team that wins the coin toss gets to serve as the shooting team first, and the losing team will serve as the blocking team. There are multiple designated in-field shooting spots 7 within the field of play that may be indicated through distinct markings or fixtures. These in-field shooting spots are positions from which a shooting team may place the ball for shooting on a blocking team's goal. The in-field shooting spots are well indicated on the playing board for easy location.
When two players total are playing the game, one player must manipulate both the blocker and striker for his team. With four players playing at once, all rules are the same and differ only in that the blocker and striker figurines may be manipulated by two separate players on a team.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, specialized cards are incorporated, providing surprise and chance to game play. The game is played in the same manner described above, except when a shooting team lodges a ball in the out of bounds area, instead of the blocking team automatically gaining possession of the ball, the blocking team instead draws a card. The blocking team proceeds to follow directions given on the drawn card.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention there are 20 cards for each team and 7 different varieties of instructions within the 20 cards. The 7 different instructions on the cards and number of each of the card varieties are as follows:
Similar to play without cards, the first player to score seven goals wins the game.
