US3046015A - Electric football game - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1962 G. L. SCHUH ET AL ELECTRIC FOOTBALL GAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed June 17, 1960 INVENTORS mm m mn m m m M l l |.I -l |1 |I I. I- Q mm mW nu HH HH nu uu o mm lum mm mm mm nu un s o mul mm Ihm mm mm mm mm o 2 l1 In HH Hu HH nu Hu o. 5 HH HH HH. HH HH HH HH 5 1 HH nu n|l un HH Hu un 2 o nu nu H H nu nu un o 3 nu un uw nu H Hll Unl HH. I|U HH HH HH 5 s |.n In nu un H.: nu un a o I. HH nu Hu un H nu o nu HH nu HH nu Hu Hu 4 .l nu un nu nu nu un s 4 nu lh H H un H HH 4 n HH un. HH nu nu nu IJ c s In un nu. un. nu h.. nu S .HU HH ln HU HH UH. HH 5 4 un un u HH HH nu HU 4 a nu lh nu nu un Hu HH o 4 nu nu un nu nu. nu nu 4 nu HH un nu un nu nu u i I i I i Gr HH un HU HH HU HU HH O 3 'I Il Il |l Il s nu n... nu nu nu un nu s 2 HH un nu nu un un Hu u HH. HU I'U HH HH Un HH 2 HH nu nu nu un s |.H nu. M u un nu un nu -U 7. u u nu nu nu n un n L nu nu nu n n un H nu 1H .H nu .B -I 1| l un E un u u n u lillhll" i Althia July 24, 1962 G. SCHUH E-r AL ELECTRIC FOOTBALL GAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 17, 1960 July 24, 1962 G. 1 SCHUH ET AL ELECTRIC FOOTBALL. GAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 S V w., w T s www w L r w Lp EN w, w G m Filed June 17, 1960 July 24, 1962 G. L. SCHUH ET Filed June 17, 1960 ELECTRIC FOOTBALL GAME 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR nite Etats This invention relates to game apparatus, and more particularly to an electrically operated game apparatus simulating the `game of football.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved electrically operated game apparatus for simulating the game `of football and for enabling two players to compete in the movement iof a game piece Ion a simulated football field according :to the rules of football yand to employ strategy similar to that employed in an actual football game.

A further object `of the invention is to provide an improved garne apparatus for simulating the game of foot ball, the apparatus involving relatively simple compoh nents, being easy to operate, and enabling two opposing players to use their skill and knowledge of .the game of football in analyzing situations resembling those occurring in an actual game and in attempting strategic maneuvers similar to those which would be attempted under actual playing conditions.

A still further object of the invention is :to provide an improved electrically operated game apparatus arranged to allow two opposing players to compete in a simulated football gaine, the apparatus being relatively compact in size, being durable in construction, and providing la high degree of entertainment by accurately simulating actual situations which might arise in a `game of football, including unexpected strategic actions on the part of the opposing teams, the imposition of penalties, and the occurrence of various other events which might conceivably occur in an actual game of football and which ordinarily would call for suitable tactics on the part of one or the other yof the opposing teams. l

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved game apparatus for playing a simulated football game, fthe apparatus being completely portable, being easy to set up for use, and enabling Itwo opposing players to test their knowledge of the game of football and their ability to successfully select and employ suitable tactics in accordance with various situations similar to those which might arise in actual football game.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and `from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fl-SURE l is I.a top plan view of an improved electrically operated football game apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one end portion of the apparatus of FIGURE l, showing one of the hidden play-selecting switches forming a part of the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the playing piece employed in lthe apparatus of FIGURE l, said playing piece simulating a football.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational View taken on the line 4--4 of FIGURE l and showing the ten-yard marker employed with the simulated football field yof the game apparatus.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan View of the game apparatus of FIGURE l with the top cover of the housing portion thereof removed.

FIGURE 6` is a fragmentary transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

arent FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical cross sectional view taken substantially on ythe line 7--7 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a longitudinal vertical cross sectional View taken on the line 3 8 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is -a fragmentary horizontal cross sectional View taken substantially on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 7, with the play-selecting switches in non-corresponding positions, whereby to provide a successful play indication on the apparatus.

FIGURE l0 is an enlarged vertical cross sectional detail view taken substantially -on the line 10-10 of FIG- URE 5.

FIGURE ll is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 1li- 11 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical connections of the game apparatus of FIGURES 1 to 1l.

Referring to the drawings, the game apparatus is designated generally at 13 and comprises a game board 14 on one end portion of which is provided a generally rectangular housing l5 having the horizontal top cover 16. The remainder of the game board i4, namely, the portion other than that contained in the housing 15 is inscribed with la simulated football eld 17.

The simulated football eld 17 comprises the grid-like markings comprising the transverse yardage lines 18 spaced apart by even intervals representing iive yard increments in yardage, and is further inscribed with the longitudinally extending parallel lines 19t spaced apart by even distances representing intervals between the respective opposite side lines Ztl and 2l. A simulated football 22 is mounted on a supporting base 23 which is adapted to be moved over the simulated football field 17 to simulate .the movement of the football in an actual football game, the base 23 being provided at the intermediate portions of its opposite side edges with `opposing index marks Z4 enabling the playing piece to be accurately positioned on the simulated football field 17 in accordance with its lactual position as determined by the apparatus in a manner presently to be described.

A long'tudinally extending rod-like bracket member 25 is mounted adjacent one `of the side lines 2t) at the marginal portion `of the game board, and slidably mounted on the rod-like member 25 is a simulated. ten-yard marker 26, which comprises a plate-like member 2.7 substantially equal in length to the distance defined by two simulated tive-yard intervals on the simulated football playing field 17, the member 26 being provided with upstanding supporting lugs 28, 28 at its outer corner portions which are slid-ably engaged on the rod-like support member 25. An outwardly extending operating tab 29 is formed on the outer edge of the member 26 to facilitate the movement of the member along the rod 25.

As will be readily understood, the member 26 is ernployed to establish the required forward distance which a player must gain in the four downs allowed when the player obtains possession of the ball.

The cover lmember 16 of housing '15 is provided with respective scoring indicators, comprising a yardage-indicating disc Sil which is rotatably mounted adjacent the lower right hand corner of the cover 16, fand which is disposed subjacent the bottom surface ofI the cover, being provided with an upstanding operating knob 31 extending above the top surface of the cover member 16. A viewing window 32 is provided in the cover, and the disc 3u is inscribed with respective indicia, corresponding to the required number of yards to be gained by a team in possession of the ball, whereby the disc 30` may be set after each play to indicate this required yardage. Respective score-indicating pairs of disc members 33, 33

3 and 34, 34 are similarly rotatably mounted adjacent the upper opposite corners of the `cover member 16, the disc members 33 and 34 being provided with numerals which may be positioned beneath respective pairs of viewing windows 35, 35 and 316, 36 provided in the cover member 16, the respective pairs of discs 33, 33 `and 34, 34 being manually settable to indicate the scores of the respective opponents. As in the case of the yardageindicating disc 30, the score-indicating discs 33, 33 and 34, 34 are provided with upstanding knob members 37 for manually setting the score-indicating discs, as required.

Designated generally at 39 is a variable play indicator comprising a drum 40 which is rotatably mounted at its ends on a pair of upstanding bracket members 41 and 42, the bracket members 41 `and 42 having vertical supporting portions extending transversely, whereby the drum member 40 is mounted for rotation on a longitudinal horizontal axis by its shaft elements 43, 43. The surface of the drum member 46 is inscribed with ten columns of indicia designated at 41 to 5t) representing various play results for different respective `football play situations, namely,.kickofr`, no gain, punt, end run, kick and punt return, pass, field goal, line buc quick kick, and point after touchdown. The top cover 16 is formed with an elongated longitudinal slot 51 which overlies the top portion of the surface of the drum 40 and which exposes the top portions of the indicia columns 41 to 50, except that respective pivoted covers 52 to 56 are provided at one side margin of the slot 51, transversely overlying the slot, and normally covering the portions of the indicia columns 41, 43, 45, 49 and 50. Thus, the pivoted covers 52 to 56 normally cover the play result information with respect to kick-off, punt, kick and punt return, field goal, quick kick, and point after touchdown. The pivoted covers: 52 to 56 are provided with upwardly land rearwardly inclined tab elements 57 which may be manually depressed to raise the main body portions of the covers and to expose the subjacent play result-indicating columns to View.

VDesignated at S is an electric motor which is mounted on the horizontal bottom wall 59 of housing 15 adjacent one end ofthe drum 49 and which is gearingly coupled to the drum by a pinion gear 69 mounted on its shaft which meshes with a gear 61 secured to the end of the drum 40. Energization `of motor 58 therefore rotates the drum 40.

" Designated atA 62 is 'a penalty-indicating drum which is rotatably mounted rearwardly adjacent the drum 40 on the upstanding brackets 42 and 64, the top cover 16 being provided with a viewing slot 65 located immediately above the top portion of the peripheral surface of the drum 62.v Drum 62 is provided with two columns of indicia, shown at 66 and 67, arranged in side-by-side relationship and being readable through the viewing slot 65. The indicia columns 66 and 67 provide information with regard to the nature and the amount of penalties, and whether the penalties-are offensive or defensive.

As will be readily understood, the penalty drum 62 rotates simultaneously with the main play result-indicating drum 40, but the information thereon is not used unless the penalty indicating lamp 66, located adjacent the drum 62, becomes energized.

Designated respectively at 69, 70, 71 and 72 are playin-dicating signal lamps whichare mounted on suitable brackets located in the forward portion of the housing 15, the brackets being provided with sockets supporting the lamps 69 to 72, and the top cover 16 being apertured to expose the upper portionsof said lamps. The top portion of the cover 16 is likewise apertured to expose the upper portion of the penalty lamp 68, previously mentioned.

The lamps 69 to 72 are respectively associated with certain delinite play situations, namely, no gain or loss, end run, pass, and line buck. In general, the signal lamp 69'is associated with an unsuccessful play on the part of an offensive player, so that when the lamp 69 becomes energized, the play result is read from the column 42 of drum 40. The remaining signal lamps 70, 71 and 72 are associated with successful play attempts on the part of an opposing player, and energization of these lamps, in a manner presently to be described, indicates that the play result will be determined from corresponding information columns on the drum 4t).

As Vwill be presently described, manually operated selecting switch means is provided for each of the opposing players to prepare circuits for energization of one of the lamps 69 to 72 simultaneously with the energization of the motor 58, in accordance with different relative settings of the manual switch-operating means.

It will be understood that theoffensive player attempts to energize a selected one of the lamps 70, 71 or 72, to indicate favorable travel of the ball vfor his team, whereas the defensive player attempts to anticipate the play selected by the oiensive player |and attempts to position his manually operated switch in the same relative position as that of the offensive player, thereby preventing energization'of the lamps 70, 71 and 72 and instead causing the no gain lamp 69 to become energized.

Slidably mounted on the bottom wall 59 in the rear portion of the housing 15 are a pair of longitudinally extending, longitudinally movable, parallel, ladj-acent barV members 73 arid '74 of insulating material, and being formed with longitudinal slots 75 through which extend vertical guide pins 76 which guide the bar members for longitudinal movement. An operating lever 77 is pivoted at 78 to bottom wall 59 and has a handle portion 79 extending through a horizontal slot 39 formed in the right end wall 81 of housing 15. The lever 77 is provided with an inner arm formed at its end with a generally circular cam element 82 which engages in a generally circular notch 63 formed in the right end portion of the bar 74, whereby said bar rnay be moved longitudinally responsive to rotation `of the lever 77 by a player operating the exposed handle portion 79.

At the left end of the device, a similar operating lever v84 is provided which has an exposed handle portion 85 and which is provided with `an inner arm having a generally circular cam portion 86 which engages in a generally circular notch 37 formed in the left end portion of the bar 73, `whereby Ia player may move the bar 73 longitudinally by moving the exposed handle portion 85. Since the handle portions 79 and 75 extend through opposed end walls of the housing, said handle portions are substantially shielded from eachother, so that one opposing player lordinarily cannot see the setting of the other players play-selecting handle portion.

The end walls of the housing are provided with spaced indicia located over the slots Si), indicating three different plays which may be selected by a player, selection being made by movement of the associated handle portion 79 orA to a position aligned with the specific selected play, as will be apparent from FIGURE 2, wherein, for example, the handle portion 79 is in `a vcentered position directly subjacent the indicia pass, indicating that this is the play selected.

Designated at S8 is a spring contact arm which is secured to the intermediate portion Vof the bar member 74 and which extends over the bar member 73. The contact arm S8 is selectively engageable with any one of tive diiferent spaced contact members 89 to 93 secured on the bar member 73, and being selectively engageable therewith in accordance with the live diiierent relative positions which can be established for the bar members 73 and 74 in accordance with the tive different relative settings which can be obtained `of their associated operating handles 79 and 85.

It will be noted that the contacts 89, 90, 92 and 93 are electrically connected to a common wire 94, and that' one terminal of each of the lamps 70, 71 and 72 is connected to said wire 94. The remaining contact, namely the contact 91, is connected by a wire 95 to one terminal of the no gain lamp 69.

Designated at 96 is a switch arm which is pivotally mounted on a supporting bolt 97 secured in the rear Wall 93 ot' housing 15 at the intermediate portion thereof. rhe lever 96 extends upwardly through a generally T- shaped aperture 19 formed in the cover 16, said aperture including the central notch 161i through which lthe upstanding portion of the lever 96 is at times movable. The switch ann @o is biased rearwardly by a coiled spring 191 mounted on the bolt 97 and bearing between the intermediate portion of the arm 96 and a bearing nut 1&2 provided on the forward portion of the bolt. Therefore, the switch arm 96 is biased lto a vertical position in alignment with the opposite end portions or" the slot 99. When the switch arm 96 is in its centered, vertical upstanding position, it may be rotated forwardly against the biasing force of the spring 1411 to engage with a yieldable contact arm 103 suitably mounted on the upper portion `of the rear wall 93, being oset in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 7 to allow contact therewith to be established responsive to the counterclockwise rotation of the switch arm 96, as viewed in FGURE 7. Contact arm 103 is connected by a wire 16d to one terminal of the motor S8. The opposite terminal of motor 53 is connected by a wire 105 to the positive terminal of a ilashlight battery assembly 1115 mounted in the housing' 15. The negative terminal of the flashlight battery assembly 1% is connected by a wire `1117 to the bolt member 97, whereby the motor 58 becomes energized responsive to the engagement of the conductor switch arm 96 with the contact arm 103.

The contact `arm S3, carried by the bar member 'M is connected to the positive battery wire `1de, as shown in FIGURE 12.

A pair of spring contact `arms 11@ and 111 are mounted on lthe rear wall 93 in positions to be engaged responsive to opposite rotation of the switch arm 96. Thus, when the switch arm 96 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE l2, it is engageable with the contact member 11d, whereas when it is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 12, it is engageable with the stationary contact member 111.

Transversely extending spaced bridging contact members 113, 114 and 115 are secured to the bottom wall 59 of housing subjacent the adjacent longitudinal margins of the bar members 73 and 74, extending beneath said margins and being selectively engageable by respective depending contact elements 116 and 117 secured to said bar members. Since the bridging contact members 113, 114, and 11S extend transversely, bridging contact between the contact elements 116 and 117 is established only when the bar members 73 and 7d have been moved into corresponding, namely, similar play-indicating, positions by their associated operating handles 79 and b5. When the bar members 74 and 73 are not in corresponding, or similar play-indicating, positions, the contact elements 117 and 116 will engage different ones of the three transversely extending stationary bridging contact members 113, 114i and 115.

As shown in FGURE 12, the stationary switch contact element 11b is connected to the depending contact element 1.17 by a wire 118, and the opposing stationary switch Contact element 111 is connected to the depending contact element 11e by a wire 119.

As previously stated, one terminal of each of the lamps 7i?, 71 and 72 is connected to the wire @4. rhe remaining terminal of the lamp "itl is connected by a wire 1Z0 to the bridging contact 113. The remaining contact of the lamp 71 is connected by a wire 121 to the bridging contact 114i. The remaining contact of the lamp 72 is connected by a wire l122 to the bridging contact 116.

As previously mentioned, one terminal of the no gain lamp 69 is connected by the -wire 95 to the Contact ele- 65 ment 91 on the bar member 73, said Contact element 911 being engageable by the resilient contact arm Sd when the bar members 73 and 74 are in positions corresponding to the same selected position of the operating handles '79 and S5. The remaining terminal of the no gain lamp 69 is connected by a wire 123 to a pair of opposite contacts v12d` and 125 mounted on the rear wall 9d and arranged to be engaged by the lower portion of the switch arm 96 responsive to rotation of said switch arm in either direction, namely, in a direction to engage either the contact or the contact As will be seen from FEGURE 12, when the bar members 73 and 74 are in corresponding positions, namely, positions corresponding to the same settings of the operating han dies 79 and 85, the no'gain lamp 169 will be energized when the switch arm 96 is rotated from its centered position to a position engaging either the contact or the contact by a circuit comprising the positive terminal of the battery assembly 1%, the wire 1de", the contact element Sd, contact member 91, wire 95, the lamp 69, the wire 123, either of the contacts .12dl or 125, the switch arm 96, the wire 11157, and the negative terminal of the battery assembly 1Go. Under these circumsances, none of the successful play-indicating lamps 7b, 7,1 and 72, can be energized, since none of the contacts S9, 9i?, 902 or 193 is engaged by the contact arm SS. However, when the play-selecting arms 79 and 35 are in different positions, .the Contact arm b3 engages one of the Contact lernents gli, @2 or EP3, and allows one of the playindicating signal lamps 7b, 71 or 72 to be energized. The energizing circuit for the lamp 7d would thus include the wire 12d, the bridging contacts `113, and either contact element or 1116, depending upon whether the switch arm was moved into engagement with contact 11b or contact 111, namely, as to which player was the offensive player at 4that time. The circuit ytor the lamp `7b `would thus comprise the positive terminal of the battery assembly 1116, the wire 1915, the contact element SS, one of the contact elements 8'? or t), the wire 9d, the lamp 71B, the wire 121i, the bridging contact 113, and either of the contact elements 117 or 116, connected to contact elements 11d or I111 and engaged by the switch arm 96 which is in turn connected to the negative lterminal of the battery assembly 1116 by the wire 197. The other successful play-indicating lamp 71 or '72 will be energized `in a similar manner, depending upon the setting of the operating handle of the selecting switch by the offensive player.

It will be understood that when a play is selected by the odensive player, the defensive player attempts to guess the selected play and set his operating handle to a position calculated to match that of the setting of the selecting switch operating handle of the offensive player. if the defensive player is successful, he succeeds in ener-- gizing the no gain lamp 59 when the switch arm 96 is rotated by `the offensive player subsequent to the spinning of the drum dit. l'f the defensive player is unsuccessful in matching the play selected by the difensive player, one of the successfui play-indicating lamps 79, 71 or "i2 becomes illuminated, in accordance with the selection of the offensive player, when the offensive player operates the switch arm 96 following the spinning of the indicating drum 4d.

Secured on the shaft of the motor 53 is a disc 13b carrying a contact element 131 which is engageable in a predetermined position of the shaft with a stationary contact i132 mounted on and suitably insulated from the upstanding bracket 42. Disc 13d is connected to the wire 105, for example, by a contact brush 131i which slidably engages the periphery of the disc, the brush 131i being suitably mounted on the top portion of the upstanding bracket member 42, in the manner illustrated in FGURE 5.

As shown in FIGURE l2, one terminal of the penalty lamp 68 is connected to the wire 123i. rthe remaining terminal of lamp d8 is connected by a wire 1d@ to the contact element 132. Thus, when the contact element 131 engages the stationary contact element llSZ, a circuit is completed which will enable the penalty lamp 68 to become energized responsive to the movement of the switch arm 96 into engagement with either of the contacts E24 or 125. This circuit comprises the negative terminal of the battery assembly 1%, the wire ld?, the switch arm 96, either contact 124 or lZS, the wire 123, the penalty lamp 68, the wire 140, the contact 132, the contact element ll3l, the brush 134, the wire 105, and the positive terminal of the battery assembly litio.

In using the device, the opposing players are located at opposite sides thereof, one player being located on the side containing the operating handle '79 and the other player being located on the side containing the operating handle 85. The general procedure is the same as that in the actual game of football, the iirst player energizing the motor S8 by first moving the switch arm 96 forwardly against Ithe force of the biasing spring lill, as above described, whereby the drum itl is rotated, and whereby the penalty drum 62 is likewise rotated. This first operation represents kick-off, and the results of this play may be determined by lifting the cover member 52. The other player then takes possession of the ball, the ball being placed at the position indicated by the information obtained from the column 41. The ten-yard marker 26 is properly positioned to indicate the required ten yard gain to be made in a series of four downs by the offensive player, similar to the manner in which such a marker is employed in the actual game of football. The offensive player is then allowed to undertake a series of plays to attempt to make the required yardage, as in the actual game of football, the offensive player setting his operating handle 79 or 85 in accordance with a selected play which he desires to use, and the defensive player attempts to anticipate said selection by setting his operating handle to a position calculated to match that of the operating handle of the offensive player. The offensive player then rotates the switch arm 96 forwardly to spin the drums 40 and 62, after which the switch arm 96 is allowed to resume its vertical position and the offensive player then rotates the switch arm laterally, namely, in its own plane to engage either the contact lll or 1li). This will energize either the no gain lamp 69, or one of the successful play-indicating lamps 70, 71 or 72, depending upon the relative position of the bar members 74 and '73, as above explained. 'llhe specific `detailed information with regard to play results will -be obtained from the drum 4i), and this information will depend upon whether the play was successful or whether it failed. Failure is indicated by the energization of the no gain lamp 69, and the resultant progress of the ball will be indicated by the information on the column 42 of the drum et). Such information may consist of no gain, or an actual loss in yardage, which requires that the playing piece 22 be moved rearwardly. n the other hand, if the success of the player is lindicated by energization of one of the lamps '70, 71 or 72, the specific yardage information is obtainable from the corresponding column on the drum 40, whereby the oifensive player will move the playing piece 22 in accordance with the information thus received.

It will be noted that the information on the drum not only provides for forward and rearward movement of the playing piece 22, but also for lateral movement, resulting at times in an out-of-bounds situation whose significance is similar to that occurring in an actual game of football and which is treated accordingly.

If the penalty lamp 68 becomes energized by engagement of contact element 131 with the stationary contact 132,. as above described, a penalty is indicated, and the penalty may be either against the oifensive or the defensive player, in accordance with the exposed information proobtained by merely first energizing the motor 5S by rotatling the switch arm forwardly, in the manner above described, after which said switch arm is released, and the corresponding cover element 52 to 56 is raised to show the results of such a play.

It will be noted that the -simulated playing field on the board f4 is provided with respective alphabetical indicia A and B on the opposite sides adjacent the side lines 20 and 2l. These designations are employed in establishing lateral movements of the playing piece, the information provided on the drum itl including designations of such lateral movements. Thus, for example, the column 44 which gives the play results for end runs contains designations such as 4 A-6 Yards indicating a movement of four internals or columns toward the A side line as well as a forward movement of six yards.

The fact that the ball moves towards the sidelines on successful or unsuccessful plays adds an element of strat-v egy and presents a definite mental challenge to players. It is obviously advantageous to the offensive player to keep the ball in the center of the playing field to prevent going out of bounds on gains accomplished, so that the position of the ball on the field is a factor to be considered before choosing a play, since pass, end run and line buc gains have different amounts of lateral movement. Specifically, the pass gains have no lateral movement and the line buck average lateral movement is less than that of the end run.

Where the results of a play carry the simulated football playing piece 22 outside of the side lines 21 or 20, an out-of-bounds situation -is present, Iand is treated in the same manner as in the actual game of football.

While a specific embodiment of an improved electric football game has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electric football game, a game board simulating a :football playing i'ield, a movable playing piece, a support adjacent said game board, a variable play result indicator mounted on said support, a plurality of playindicating signal lamps, a pair of manually movable play- `selecting members :at opposite ends of the support, each having a similar series of predetermined play-selecting settings, cooperating movable switch members mechanically connected respectively to said play-selecting members, and means to energize different lamps in accordance with Idifferent relative positions of said switch members, as established by selected play-selecting settings of the movable play-selecting members.

2. In an electric football game, a support, a play result indicator having markings simultaneously indicating play results of diiferent types of plays `in terms of forward and lateral movement of a football, a plurality of play-indicating signal lamps, a pair yof manually movable play-selecting members at opposite remote ylocations on the support, each having a similar series of predetermined play-selecting settings, cooperating movable switch members mechanically connected respectively to said play-selecting members, and means to energize `different lamps in accordance with different relative positions of said switch members, as established by selected play-selecting settings `of the movable play-selecting members.

3. In an electric football game, a support, a variable play result indicator on said support having markings Simultaneously indicating play results of different types of plays, respective signal lamps associated with diiferent types of plays, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members at opposite remote locations on said Support, each having a similar series of predetermined playselecting settings, cooperating movable switch members mechanically connected respectively to said play-selecting members, means to energize different lamps in accordance with diierent relative positions of said switch members, as established by selected play-selecting settings f the movable play-selecting members, and means to energize a common signal lamp when the play-selecting members are at similar settings.

4. In an electric football game, a support, a variable play result indicator on said support having markings s1- multaneously indicating play results of different types of plays, a penalty indicator, a penalty lamp, respective signal lamps associated with the diiferent types of plays, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members at opposite remote locations on said support, each having a similar series of predetermined play-selecting settings, cooperating movable switch members mechanically connected respectively to said play-selecting members, means to energize different lamps in accordance with different relative positions of said switch members, as established by selected play-selecting settings of the movable playselecting members, means to energize a common signal lamp when the play-selecting mem-bers are at similar set tings, and means to at times connect said penalty lamp to said source simultaneously with the energization of a play-indicating signal lamp.

5. ln an electric football game, a support, a variable play result indicator on said support having markings simultaneously indicating play results of -ditlerent types of plays, a changeable penalty indicator, a plurality of signal lamps, each signal lamp being associated with a difterent type `ot play, a penalty lamp, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members at opposite remote locations on the support, each having a similar series of predetermined play-selecting settings, `cooperating movable switch members mechanically connected respectively to said play-selecting members, means to energize different lamps in accordance with diilerent relative positions of said switch members, as established by selected play-selecting settings of the movable play-selecting members, means to energize a common signal lamp when the play-selecting members are at similar settings, and means to at times connect said penalty lamp to said source simultaneously with the energization of a play-indicating signal lamp.

6. ln an electric football game, a support, an electrically operated variable play result indicator on said support having markings simultaneously indicating play results of ditierent types of plays, respective signal lamps mounted on the support and associated with the different types of plays, a pair of parallel spaced multiple contact switch bars slidably mounted on said support, stationary contact means on the support engageable with the `contacts on said switch bars, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members mounted at remotely opposite locations on said support and having a series `of similar play-selecting settings, means mechanically coupling said play-selecting members to the respective switch bars, means to energize any one of a selected group of signal lamps through said switch bars and stationary contact means in accordance Iwith diierent relative positions of said switch bars as established by ditlerent play-selecting settings of the play-selecting members, and means to energize a `common further signal lamp through the contacts of the switch bars when the play-selecting members are at corresponding settings.

7. In an electric football game, a support having vertical opposite ends, an electrically operated variable play result indicator on said support having markings simultaneously indicating play results of `different types of plays, respective signal lamps mounted on the support and associated with the different types of plays, a pair of parallel spaced multiple contact switch bars slidably mounted on said support, stationary Contact means on the support engageable with the contacts on said switch bars, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members mounted respectively at said vertical opposite ends of said support and having a series of similar play-selecting settings, means mechanically coupling said play-selecting members to the respective switch bars, means to energize any one of a selected group of signal lamps through said switch =bars and stationary contact means in accordance with different relative positions lof said switch bars as established by diierent play-selecting settings of the playselecting members, and means to energize a common further signal lamp through the contacts of the switch bars when the play-selecting members are at corresponding settings.

8. in an electric football game, a support, an electrically operated variable play result indicator on said support having markings simultaneously indicating play results of diierent types of plays, respective signal lamps mounted on the support and associated with the dierent types of plays, a pair of parallel spaced multiple contact switch bars slidably mounted on said support, stationary contact means on the support engageable with the contacts on the switch bars, a pair of manually movable playselecting members mounted at remotely opposite locations on said support and having a series of similar playselecting settings, means mechanically coupling said playselecting members to the respective switch bars, means to simultaneously energize said variable play result indicator and to energize any one of a selected group of signal lamps through said switch bars and stationary contact means in accordance with different relative positions of said switch bars as established by dierent play-select ing settings of the play-selecting members, means to energize a common further signal lamp through the contacts of the switch bars when the play-selecting members are at corresponding settings, an electrically operated changeable penalty indicator mounted on the support, and means to at times energize seid penalty indicator responsive to the euergization of said variable play result indicator.

9. in an electric football game, a support having vertical opposite ends, an electrically operated variable play result indicator on said support having markings simultaneously indicating play results of diierent types of plays, respective signal lamps mounted on the support and associated with the diierent types of plays, a pair of parallel spaced multiple contact switch bars slidably mounted on said support, stationary contact means on the support engageable with the contacts on the switch bars, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members mounted respectively at said vertical opposite ends of said support and having a series of similar play-selecting settings, means mechanically coupling said play-selecting members to the respective switch bars, means to simultaneously energize said variable play result indicator and to energize any one of a selected group of signal lamps through said switch bars and stationary contact means in accordance with different relative positions of said switch bars as established by diierent play-selecting settings of the play-selecting members, and to simultaneously energize said variable play result indicator, means to energize a common further signal lamp through the contact of the switch bars when the play-selecting members are at corresponding settings, an electrically operated changeable penalty indicator mounted on the support, and means to at times energize said penalty indicator responsive to the energization of said variable play result indicator.

lO. In an electric football game, a support, an electrically operated variable play result indicator on said sup- -port having marking simultaneously indicating play results of ditferent types of plays, respective signal lamps mounted on the support and associated with the different types of plays, a pair of parallel spaced multiple contact switch bars slidably mounted on said support, stationary contact means on the support engageable with certain contacts on said switch bars, a pair of manually movable play-selecting members mounted at remotely opposite locations on said support and having a series of similar play-selecting settings, means mechanically coupling said playeselecting members to the respective switch bars,

aoaaoie References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Burmester et al Oct. 5, 1943 Ryan Feb. 5, 1957 Siegel Feb. 17, 1959 Kerwin Feb. 24, 1959

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