Game Apparatus For One Or More Persons

Abstract

The invention relates to a game apparatus for one or more persons. The game apparatus is characterized in that it comprises an enclosed game surface; at least one game unit that can be moved over the enclosed game surface, on which unit, at least, one player can take place and means designed for reducing the friction between the game surface and the game unit moveable over it. The game unit may be an air cushion vehicle and the enclosed game surface may comprise interaction means similar to a pinball machine. RFID may be used to identify the game units. The action of the interaction means may be dependent on the game unit identification.

1 . A game apparatus for one or more persons, comprising an enclosed game surface; at least one game unit movable over the enclosed game surface, on which unit at least one player can be seated; and means for reducing the friction between the game surface and the game unit moveable over it, wherein friction reducing means comprise a plurality of regularly spaced openings in the game surface, and pressure means for feeding a pressurized medium through the openings, wherein the openings are each closable by a spherical element, wherein in the closed position the spherical element extends above the game surface and wherein the at least one game unit comprises a flat supporting plate which is adapted to contact the spherical elements. 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . A game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the game apparatus is designed for having the medium flow through the openings to the game surface. 
   
   
       4 . A game apparatus according to  claim 1 , under the game surface, at least one pressure space is present, that can be pressurized by the pressure means with the aid of the medium. 
   
   
       5 . A game apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the game surface is composed of several sections that can be coupled to each other, while each section is built up from a partial game surface with one or more partial pressure spaces extending therebeneath. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the game apparatus is provided per opening with closing means for closing off and releasing the openings again under the influence of a game unit while the medium can flow through the opening if a closing means associated with the opening releases the opening. 
   
   
       8 . A game apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein an opening is closed off by the closing means unless a game unit is present above the opening. 
   
   
       9 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A game apparatus according to at least  claim 1 , wherein on the supporting plate, at least one seat for at least one player is secured. 
   
   
       15 - 24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A game apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the game apparatus comprises interaction means that can be arranged in the enclosed game surface, which interaction means are designed for influencing the movement of the game unit over the game surface. 
   
   
       26 - 32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . A game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the game apparatus is provided with at least one interaction means arranged on or above the game surface and which is designed for influencing, in a controllable manner, the movement of the at least one game unit through application of a force to the at least one game unit. 
   
   
       34 . A game apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the at least one game unit is provided with operating means for having a player of the game unit control at least one first interaction means. 
   
   
       35 . A game apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein the game apparatus is designed such that at least the first interaction means can be operated by a player of the at least one game unit only when the at least one game unit is present in a predetermined area of the game surface and wherein the first interaction means is present in the predetermined area. 
   
   
       36 - 48 . (canceled) 
   
   
       49 . A game apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one interaction means is provided with a contact element, a movement of which relative to the game surface can be controlled, when the contact element is in contact with the at least one game unit, through movement of the contact element relative to the game surface, for applying a force to the at least one game unit. 
   
   
       50 - 55 . (canceled) 
   
   
       56 . A game apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the enclosed game surface is at an angle of inclination to the horizontal. 
   
   
       57 . (canceled) 
   
   
       58 . A game unit for use in a game apparatus according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       59 . An interaction means for use in a game apparatus according to  claim 1 .