Ball game apparatus and resetting device for applying therein

Abstract

A ball game apparatus comprising a delivery lane ( 3 ) for allowing a ball path between a delivery area and a target area ( 2 ). In the target area there is disposed at least one target element ( 10 ) to be struck by a game ball. A resetting device ( 1 ) is provided to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from the target area. On the resetting device is a message generator ( 40 ) which is able and adapted to present a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation.

1 . Ball game apparatus comprising a delivery lane for allowing a ball path between a delivery area and a target area, wherein in the target area at least one target element is disposed, at least during operation, to be struck by a game ball, and wherein a resetting device is provided to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from the target area, characterized in that a message generator is coupled to the resetting device which is able and adapted to generate a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation.  
   
   
       2 . Ball game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the message generator is coupled to an image display device which is able and adapted to generate the message to the player in at least visual form.  
   
   
       3 . Ball game apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the resetting device comprises a sweeping device which is provided with a displaceable sweep board and which comprises the image display device on a side directed toward the player.  
   
   
       4 . Ball game apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the image display device comprises an image display panel built up of solid-state pixels, in particular a liquid crystal panel or a plasma panel.  
   
   
       5 . Ball game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the message generator is coupled to an electronic, at least readable memory which is able to store an optionally fixed set of messages, and that the message generator is able to present one or more messages from the set to the player.  
   
   
       6 . Ball game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that detection means are provided which are able and adapted to determine a number of target elements struck following a delivery or set of deliveries, and to generate this as information signal to the message generator, wherein the message generator generates a message on the basis thereof.  
   
   
       7 . Ball game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a user console is coupled to the message generator to receive a message from a user and generate it to the message generator.  
   
   
       8 . Resetting device for application in a ball game apparatus in order to place one or more target elements in a starting position or remove them from a target area,  
     characterized in that there is coupled thereto a message generator which is able and adapted to present a message to a player in association with the resetting device coming into operation.