[go: up one dir, main page]

EP0778059B1 - Machine amelioree de jeux de competition et de loisir par actionnement d'une fiche flottante - Google Patents

Machine amelioree de jeux de competition et de loisir par actionnement d'une fiche flottante Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0778059B1
EP0778059B1 EP96904871A EP96904871A EP0778059B1 EP 0778059 B1 EP0778059 B1 EP 0778059B1 EP 96904871 A EP96904871 A EP 96904871A EP 96904871 A EP96904871 A EP 96904871A EP 0778059 B1 EP0778059 B1 EP 0778059B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chip
machine
game board
goal
air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96904871A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0778059A1 (fr
Inventor
Jose Antonio Carames
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CARAMES, JOSE ANTONIO
Original Assignee
Carames Jose Antonio
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carames Jose Antonio filed Critical Carames Jose Antonio
Publication of EP0778059A1 publication Critical patent/EP0778059A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0778059B1 publication Critical patent/EP0778059B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/36Constructional details not covered by groups A63F7/24 - A63F7/34, i.e. constructional details of rolling boards, rims or play tables, e.g. frame, game boards, guide tracks
    • A63F7/3603Rolling boards with special surface, e.g. air cushion boards
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/22Accessories; Details
    • A63F7/30Details of the playing surface, e.g. obstacles; Goal posts; Targets; Scoring or pocketing devices; Playing-body-actuated sensors, e.g. switches; Tilt indicators; Means for detecting misuse or errors
    • A63F7/305Goal posts; Winning posts for rolling-balls
    • A63F7/3065Electric
    • A63F7/3075Electric imparting energy to the ball, e.g. bumper-kickers, reprojectors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2401Detail of input, input devices
    • A63F2009/2436Characteristics of the input
    • A63F2009/2442Sensors or detectors
    • A63F2009/2444Light detector
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F7/00Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
    • A63F7/06Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football
    • A63F7/066Games simulating outdoor ball games, e.g. hockey or football the playing bodies being projected by means of compressed air

Definitions

  • the object of the invention is a machine for a competition and leisure game by moving a floating chip.
  • a game machine is known from WO-A-95/24247, which has been published after the priority data of the present application.
  • Another game system is known from US-A-3.910.580. It has been especially conceived to allow the game to be played by two participants, one on either side of the gameboard,shooting a discoid chip which floats over the gameboard on a cushion of air.When one of the participants is unable to stop the chip from crossing his goal line by use of his special controls, the chip enters the goal area and a goal is scored, the chip being stored in the interior of the machine.
  • the floating chip is stopped or repelled by activating the control units which, depending on how they are operated, either cause the control centre to emit an order for the automatic repulsion of the chip which has been detected by the presence sensors that send information to the aforementioned centre, or, by another operation, provoke the voluntary action of the electromagnetic elements independently of the presence or absence of the chip in the detection area of the sensors.
  • the invention centres on the way the orders to the electromagnetic elements are carried out following the action of the control units and the data supplied by the presence sensors, the positioning of these sensors and their situation in relation to the goal area, as well as the composition of this area and that of the generating system of the closed circuit of air pressures.
  • the newly-invented machine differs from the previous machine as described in WO-A-95/24247 (PCT ES 94/00024) in that it uses a new system which creates different air pressures using a closed circuit system in order to avoid breakdown due to dust and dirt.
  • the repulsion of the chip as laid out in the invention is also carried out in a different manner: through the movement, of a new system of mobile controls fitted with a set of repulsion devices which, with capacity to cause automatic repulsion and using far fewer sensors and repulsion devices than used by the previous model, move directly, together with the control system, which can detain the chip and with which it is possible, by moving the controls, to produce, at will, either automatic repulsion or the voluntary action of the repulsion devices independently of the presence or absence of the chip in the detection area.
  • the registering of a goal against is also produced differently; not by detection of the chip in a detector area where repulsion capacity has not been activated by positioning the controls, but by detection of the chip's presence inside the goal areas where it will have physically situated itself if the player has been unable to stop its path.
  • the chip will be stored there until the player provokes its launch and brings it into play.
  • the invention is centred, on a new configuration of improved machine for competition and leisure game by moving a chip which floats on a cushion of air.
  • the floating is achieved by the use of a closed circuit with different air pressures which produce high pressure in an area underneath a gameboard with orifices through which air is blown.
  • the gameboard is also equipped with special goal areas fitted with an enclosure for storing the gamechip and an expulsion system or "serve" of the chip after the goal is scored.
  • This machine is closed to the exterior except for the systems for holding and moving the specific new control systems.
  • the chip's access to the goal area can be protected and, according to the player's choice, the chip can be automatically repulsed if it enters their area of action, or their repulsion devices can act voluntarily independently of the presence or absence of the chip in their area of movement.
  • the new machine according to the invention proves to be a better product, in that the new design, on being able to improve the toughness of its structure, the easiness of understanding the working of the game and its lower maintenance costs results in a more useful product, both here and abroad.
  • each of the two control units is made up of a mobile device or carrier part which slides from side to side along a guide-rail or bar to which it is attached by means of sliding devices.
  • a control device with a revolving ball which is for the player to hold in order to place the control in the desired position within its longitudinal space, and on the other, situated so as to allow a tilting movement along a turning axis, a platform containing a set of sensors and impulse devices is fixed in such a way that it keeps them fixed at a predetermined height above the surface of the gameboard whatever their longitudinal position may be in relation to the goal line.
  • Each control unit incorporates push-buttons on the left and right sides of the mobile control device.
  • the purpose of these push-buttons is to control the action of the impulsers that the control itself contains by selecting, through their occasional or continuous operation, either the action of the impulsers independently of the presence or absence of a chip in their field of action, or their automatic action with detection by presence sensors in their field of action.
  • Figure 1 a simplified view gives us an outline of the machine like that described here, with a gameboard showing the two control units which contain the sets of impulsers that operate the aforementioned gameboard. Also shown are the orifices in the board for blowing out pressurized air and the goal area enclosures behind the lines defended by the sets of impulsers.
  • Figure 2 a longitudinal section of the machine is shown, in which the structure of the closed circuit of air pressures can be appreciated.
  • FIG. 3 a drawing shows a detail from the structure of the control unit with impulse system, in which coils with impulsers, detection sensors, push-buttons governing the movement of the whole and the sliding linear control are indicated.
  • Figure 4 an outline is shown of the goal-area system for reception of the chip, detection of it for the purpose of registering the goal,and expulsion of it towards the field of play on carrying out the serve.
  • Figure 5 is a diagram of the connection of the different devices of the machine to the electronic control system.
  • the machine for competition which is the object of invention will, as can be appreciated in Figure 1, be a machine with a gameboard(1.1) and control unit(1.2)in which a closed circuit of air pressures has been created which,as can be seen in Figure 2, is made up of a high pressure chamber(2.1) which is produced by a turbine(2.2), a low pressure chamber(2.3) which is generated by air intake by the turbine itself and a compensation area(2.4) where the pressurized air blown out through the orifices on the gameboard(1.1) is received and from where the low pressure chamber takes in air, thus closing the circuit with clean air without having to take in air from the exterior which could contain grease or dust.
  • a machine is constructed with main body dimensions of 1300 by 700 by 200, which gives us an air pressure body with a capacity of 95 litres and the equivalent of 56 square centimetres of air blowing out given the sum of the 1240 orifices for blowing out air situated on the gameboard, each of 1.8mm in diameter, with the aim of optimizing the performance of the air pressures system, the air passing from the compensation chamber(2.4) to the low pressure chamber(2.3) total a transit section of 900 square centimetres which do not have any significant influence as transit resistance.
  • control units On both sides of the gameboard are the control units(1.2.1 and 1.2.2) which as can be seen in Figure 3 are composed, in this case, of a sliding carriage(3.1) with four ball bearings which slide it from side to side along the guide rail(3.2) which in this case is made of a steel bar with an H-shaped profile which allows the ball bearings to roll along the indented parts of the profile without being able to leave their transverse position in relation to the guide rail.
  • the aforementioned carriage is fitted with a tilting body(3.3) where the group of impulsers are attached(3.4).In this case there are two of them and they are not shown fully to keep the diagrams simple and also as they are known in the trade.
  • the carriage also has a fastening device(3.5) which in this case incorporates a ball which makes it possible to cause it to move along the rail that guides the carriage and which exits to the exterior through a linear joint with a minimal loss of pressure.
  • Each set of controls is also in this case fitted with two push-buttons(3.6.1 and 3.6.2) one on either side, left and right of the goal area located on the outside of the machine construction.
  • the goal area systems ( Figure 4) which are composed of a reception area with detectors(4.1) to recognise the presence of the chip in order to register the goal that has been scored on the chip's entry, storage areas(4.2) where the chip is held until ejected onto the gameboard by activation of an impulser governed in this case by the simple, relevant push-button.
  • the dotted lines in Figure 5 indicate the direction of the different signals emitted and received by the different devices, such as push-buttons(5.1),sensors(5.2), electrorepulsion devices(5.3) and visualization displays(5.4) towards a conventional control circuit formed by a microprocessor and peripherals.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Machine perfectionnée pour la compétition et le divertissement par action sur fiche flottante, caracterisée comme étant du genre où deux participants développent un jeu, un de chaque côté de la table, se lançant l'un à l'autre une fiche discoidale, jusqu'à ce que la fiche ne puisse plus être détenue ou rejetée au moyen d'éléments repoussants activés depuis un circuit de contrôle qui reçoit des signaux de présence de senseurs qui détectent la fiche et des signaux d'action envoyés par une commande, se caractérise parce que le groupe d'éléments repoussants agit selon la façon de manipuler les touches de son groupe de commandes, et se déplace de façon solidaire à un corps principal qui, limité dans sa movilité à un mouvement longitudinal est doté d'un élément de soutien pour son actionnement manuel, au moyen duquel il peut produire le mouvement du corps principal et par conséquent du groupe d'éléments repoussants, déterminant une ligne d'action desdits éléments, passé cette ligne la fiche pénétre dans le but dans le cas où son passage n'a pas été empêché par le groupe d'éléments repoussants et un point est marqué.
  2. Machine perfectionnée pour la compétition et le divertissement par action sur fiche flottante, caractérisée suivant revendication antérieure parce que le groupe d'éléments repoussants peut agir selon la façon dont il se contrôle depuis les commandes ou bien de forme automatique en détectant grâce aux senseurs la présence de fiche dans sa zone de jeu ou bien de manière discretionnelle agissant indépendamment de la présence ou absence de fiche selon la volonté du joueur.
  3. Machine perfectionnée pour la compétition et le divertissement par action sur fiche flottante, caractérisée selon les reventications antérieures parce que le but est doté de détecteurs pour contrôler les points obtenus et de logements pour la fiche qui sont dotés d'éléments d'expultion de telle manière qu'en pénétrant, la fiche reste dans le logement de façon permanente, jusqu'à ce grâce à l'action externe provoque l'activation des eléments expulseurs qui lancent la fiche vers la table de jeu.
  4. Machine perfectionnée pour la compétition et le divertissement par action sur fiche flottante selon les antérieures revendications caractérisée parce que l'air comprimé qui sort des orifices de la table de jeu afin de maintenir la fiche en flotaison, s'obtient par l'utilisation d'un système à circuit fermé de circulation d'air dans des compartiments de différentes pressions d'air, ce système, grâce à l'action d'une turbine qui impulse l'air vers un compartiment situé sous la table de jeu maintient une pression haute qui provoque la sortie de l'air comprimé par les orifices de la table, l'aspiration de cette turbine provoque la dépression dans un autre compartiment situé sous le compartiment à haute pression et ce compartiment de dépression aspire l'air de la chambre de compensation qui se situe sur la table de jeu duquel il reçoit de l'air et qui communique avec le compartiment de dépression qu'il alimente en air.
  5. Machine perfectionnée pour la compétition et le divertissement par action sur fiche flottante selon les antérieures revendications caractérisée parce que tous les systèmes qu'elle utilise pour que le jeu puisse se dérouler, la piste de jeu, les chambres des différentes pressions d'air, le but et ses logements de fichent sont totalement fermés à l'extérieur, restant accessibles de l'exterieur uniquement les pièces d'action des commandes et restant visible la piste de jeu à travers une surface couverte transparente.
  6. Machine perfectionnée pour la compétition et le divertissement par action sur fiche flottante comprenant :
    une table de jeu
    une puce discoidale, ladite puce étant mobile par rapport à la surface de la table de jeu :
    une table de jeu comprenant des orifices par lesquels l'air comprimé est soufflé pour faciliter le mouvement,
    un groupe d'éléments repoussants ayant une mobilité longitudinale, lesdits éléments repoussants étant capables de retenir ou repousser la fiche
    une unité de contrôle capable d'activer les éléments repoussants et permettant le mouvement desdits éléments repoussants, se caractérise par ce que l'unité de contrôle comprend en plus un groupe d'eléments aspirants,
    une zone de but, située derrière les impulseurs et définie par une ligne d'action qui s'étend de part en part de la surface de jeu, et une puce détectant le senseur situé dans les limites de la zone de but, ledit senseur étant capable de signaler les fiches qui pénètrent dans le but.
  7. Une machine selon la revendication 6, où les dispositifs repoussants peuvent être activés manuellement en appuyant sur des touches situées dans l'unité de contrôle ou activés automatiquement sur détection de la puce par le détecteur de puce.
  8. Une machine selon la revendiation 6 ou la zone de but comprend en plus une zone de stockage pour les fiches qui sont entrées dans le but, ladite zone de stockage comprend en plus un dispositif repoussant, capable de lancer la fiche vers la table de jeu par une activation externe.
  9. Une machine selon la revendication 6 où un sytème de circuit fermé de circulation d'air comprend des compartiments avec différentes pressions d'air et une turbine pour aspirer l'air d'un compartiment à l'autre.
  10. Une machine selon la revendication 6, où la table de jeu, les compartiments avec les différentes pressions d'air, la zone de but et la zone de stockage pour les fiches sont entourés par un couvercle transparent et où le contrôle de l'action est accessible par l'extérieur du couvercle.
EP96904871A 1995-03-15 1996-03-14 Machine amelioree de jeux de competition et de loisir par actionnement d'une fiche flottante Expired - Lifetime EP0778059B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES9500518 1995-03-15
ES9500051 1995-03-15
ES9500518 1995-03-15
PCT/ES1996/000054 WO1996028229A1 (fr) 1995-03-15 1996-03-14 Machine amelioree de jeux de competition et de loisir par actionnement d'une fiche flottante

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0778059A1 EP0778059A1 (fr) 1997-06-11
EP0778059B1 true EP0778059B1 (fr) 2002-01-02

Family

ID=8289785

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96904871A Expired - Lifetime EP0778059B1 (fr) 1995-03-15 1996-03-14 Machine amelioree de jeux de competition et de loisir par actionnement d'une fiche flottante

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0778059B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE211404T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU4881096A (fr)
DE (1) DE69618327D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996028229A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2136512B1 (es) * 1996-09-04 2000-07-01 Carames Jimenez Jose Antonio Maquina para competicion y entretenimiento por accion impulsora sobre objeto con libertad de movimiento tridimensional.

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2345558A1 (de) * 1973-09-10 1975-03-20 Xaver Leonhart Tischballspiel
US4017078A (en) * 1975-12-15 1977-04-12 Goldfarb Adolph E Air table handball game apparatus
US4173341A (en) * 1976-07-22 1979-11-06 George H. Gerstman Amusement device using perforated board
US4431188A (en) * 1981-05-18 1984-02-14 Bally Manufacturing Corporation Ball type game apparatus with laterally movable ball striking mechanism and control therefor
AU4262393A (en) * 1992-04-30 1993-11-29 Jose Antonio Carames Jimenez System and device for the repulsion of a test ball or chip in competition and entertainment machines
AU6208794A (en) * 1994-03-09 1995-09-25 Jose Antonio Carames Jimenez Competition and leisure game machine actuated by repulsion devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1996028229A1 (fr) 1996-09-19
ATE211404T1 (de) 2002-01-15
AU4881096A (en) 1996-10-02
DE69618327D1 (de) 2002-02-07
EP0778059A1 (fr) 1997-06-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5417423A (en) Multiple kicker ramp for a pinball game
US6105960A (en) Machine for competition and leisure game by moving a floating chip
US3773325A (en) Air cushion table game
US5785592A (en) Interactive target game system
CA1186353A (fr) Machine de jeu a billes, et configuration de son plan de jeu
CA2300160A1 (fr) Ensemble roulette et disposition de table
US4173341A (en) Amusement device using perforated board
US3887187A (en) Air cushion table game
US5573243A (en) Water driven rotating figurine amusement games
EP0778059B1 (fr) Machine amelioree de jeux de competition et de loisir par actionnement d'une fiche flottante
US3927885A (en) Puck and bat for an air cushion table game
US3871585A (en) Air bed
US5480148A (en) Water driven roller coaster game
US4132411A (en) Game with chance shot dictating pieces
EP0867211B1 (fr) Machine de jeu de competition et loisir fonctionnant par action impulsive sur un objet avec liberte de mouvement tridimensionnel
US4438928A (en) Pinball game with ganged kicker mechanisms
US5375829A (en) Magnetic ball flipper for a rolling ball game
US4380335A (en) Pinball game apparatus
US4424970A (en) Panic post for pinball games
US4529207A (en) Toy having interchangeable game modules
US6734833B1 (en) Dynamic illuminated display
US5992848A (en) Vertically displaceable ramp
US5332217A (en) Pinball game with moveable track mechanism
US5697828A (en) Toy coin bank with audio signal
EP0458854B1 (fr) Robot pour tennis de table

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19970314

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT DE ES FR GB IT NL

RAP3 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: CARAMES, JOSE ANTONIO

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990324

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT DE ES FR GB IT NL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020102

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20020102

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020102

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020102

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 211404

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 20020115

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69618327

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20020207

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020403

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20020531

Year of fee payment: 7

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20020730

EN Fr: translation not filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030314

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20030314