Target game apparatus

• US 5,437,463 A
• Filed: 02/14/1994
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wayne G. Fromm
• Original Assignee: Wayne G. Fromm
• Inventors: Fromm, Wayne G.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US08/195,389
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 273/310-312, 434/21, 434/22, 434/20
• US Class Current: 463/5
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10

Abstract

A game apparatus which resembles a shooting gallery, the apparatus including a gun (10) for projecting an electromagnetic beam such as an infrared light beam (22) and a target assembly (12) which includes a plurality of targets (82). Normally the targets are not visible, being concealed behind a two-way mirror (80), but during the operation of the game first one and then another target will become visible for a brief period of time as each target is illuminated by an illumination device (84), there being one illuminating device for each target. Each target has associated with it a beam receiver (86). If the electromagnetic beam strikes a target when it is illuminated, the associated beam receiver will cause a score to be registered due to the operation of additional electronics associated with the target assembly. The target assembly includes a case which has a base portion (46) and a movable portion (48) hinged to the base, the movable portion supporting the plurality of targets, and the base portion capable of being supported on a table top or the like so that a player P may play the game when either sitting or standing.

Claims

1. A target game apparatus comprising the combination of:

a device for projecting an electromagnetic beam; and

a target assembly having

a case the case including a base portion and a movable portion hinged to the base, and the base portion capable of being supported on a table top or the like so that a player may play the game when either standing or sitting;

a target panel supported by the movable portion of the case, the panel having a front generally planar surface and a back surface,

a plurality of targets supported on or behind the back surface of the target panel,

illumination means for illuminating an associated target to cause the associated target to be visible, the target not being visible when the illumination means is not operated,

first timer means for initiating operation of the target assembly for a first time period,

first switching means for initiating the operation of selected illumination means during operation of the target assembly, the selected illumination means being operated for a time interval less than the first time period, receiving means associated with each target, each receiving means initiating a signal during operation of the associated illumination means when the receiving means is struck by the electromagnetic beam projected by the device, and

scoring means carried by the target assembly for displaying a score in response to signals received from each receiver.

2. A target game apparatus comprising the combination of:

a device for projecting an electromagnetic beam; and

a target assembly having

a target panel having a front generally planar surface and a back surface,

a plurality of targets supported on or behind the back surface of the target panel,

illumination means for illuminating an associated target to cause the associated target to be visible, the target not being visible when the illumination means is not operated,

a two-way mirror positioned in front of each of the targets, the two-way mirror concealing the target except when the associated illumination means is caused to be operated,

first timer means for initiating operation of the target assembly for a first time period,

first switching means for initiating the operation of selected illumination means during operation of the target assembly, the selected illumination means being operated for a time interval less than the first time period,

receiving means associated with each target, each receiving means initiating a signal during operation of the associated illumination means when the receiving means is struck by the electromagnetic beam projected by the device, and

scoring means carried by the target assembly for displaying a score in response to signals received from each receiver.

3. The target game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the target panel is formed from a single acrylic sheet, the back side of which is covered with the two-way mirror.

4. The target game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the target panel is formed from a board having a plurality of cut-outs, lenses being mounted in each of the cut-outs, the back side of each lens being covered with a portion of the two-way mirror, and one of the targets being associated with each of the lenses.

5. The target game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of the lenses is supported by a reflector housing, and wherein an illumination means and a receiving means is mounted within each reflector housing.

6. A target game apparatus comprising the combination of:

a device for projecting an electromagnetic beam; and

a target assembly having

a case,

a target panel having a front generally planar surface and a back surface,

a plurality of targets supported on or behind the back surface of the target panel, the target panel being on the front of the case, the case further including a back,

a plurality of reflector housings carried by the back,

illumination means for illuminating an associated target to cause the associated target to be visible, the target not being visible when the illumination means is not operated,

first timer means for initiating operation of the target assembly for a first time period,

first switching means for initiating the operation of selected illumination means during operation of the target assembly, the selected illumination means being operated for a time interval less than the first time period,

receiving means associated with each target, each receiving means initiating a signal during operation of the associated illumination means when the receiving means is struck by the electromagnetic beam projected by the device,

wherein the illumination means and the receiving means for each target is mounted within the reflector housing, and

scoring means carried by the target assembly for displaying a score in response to signals received from each receiver.

7. The target game apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein each reflector housing including a lens and target behind the lens.

8. A target game apparatus comprising the combination of:

a device for projecting an electromagnetic beam; and

a target assembly having

a target panel having a front generally planar surface and a back surface,

a plurality of targets supported on or behind the back surface of the target panel,

illumination means for illuminating an associated target to cause the associated target to be visible, the target not being visible when the illumination means is not operated,

first timer means for initiating operation of the target assembly for a first time period,

first switching means for initiating the operation of selected illumination means during operation of the target assembly, the selected illumination means being operated for a time interval less than the first time period, the switching means being capable of operating the illumination means either individually or sometimes in pairs,

receiving means associated with each target, each receiving means initiating a signal during operation of the associated illumination means when the receiving means is struck by the electromagnetic beam protected by the device, and

scoring means carried by the target assembly for displaying a score in response to signals received from each receiver.