US2495620A - Game device with electrical scoring means - Google Patents

Description

Jaum, 24, A. E. WERLE ET AL 2,495,620

GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Filed April 20, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet l BY RUDOLPH V. MHCK m/WW THEIR ATTORNEY Juan.. 4, I5@

A, E. WERLE ET AL GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, l1948 INVENTORS ARMAND E. WERLE THEIR ATTORNEY wm n@ A. E. WERLE ET A1. 2,495,620

GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Filed April 20, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 PITCIJ SELEUUR :wlrcH Mm, m, uw@ A. E. WERLE ET'AL 2,495,620

GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Filed April 20, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 HIT SELECTOR wlrm V) m z L' Ct i Y y n M W' s s# 5 E INVENToR. LD s V7 Sz? ARMAND E. WERLE o g BY RUDOLPH v. MHCK um, =`r v; Y 5

2 MKV/WW 7 THDR ATTRNEY Jim1. 24, H95@ A. E. WERLE ET AL 2,495,620

GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Filed April 20, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 .EK mmm n TEM f Nw N E R Viv m, m @C m H M TP/m l@ mw R mmmzzam mmf@ Mm n Ru H AR T lAm/M l l l llmmw lll- Il l ///\W%OO W mmm :mm 9am wm@ .Nm ma@ .Mmm mm Jam. my w50 A. E. WERLE ET AL 2,495,620

GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Filed April 20, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 TO SCOREBOARD i A I l@ a Tll T2 T3 T4 TS T6 T7 CUTS SWlTCH O L l Q I- 7 BR 9 BRHV BR 8 BR D un @ma TO SCO RE BOARD BALLS 69 SWITCH v @a Bala INVENTOR. ARMAND E. WERLE HG. 7 RUDOLPH v. MHCK THFJR ATTORNEY Jn. Mr, W5@ A. E. WERLE ET AL v 2,495,620

GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Filed April 2o, 1948 7 sheets-sheet 7 TO SCOREBOARD s'rames W Swn'cH Q3 BR m FIG.

To SCOREBOARD Rl RZRSNLRSMNTM RUNS awww 57 INVENTOR.

ARMAND' a. www. RuDoLPH v. Mum

THEHR ATTORNEY oriented Jan. 24,A 1950 NITED STATES PATENT CFFICE GAME DEVICE WITH ELECTRICAL SCORING MEANS Armand E. Werle, Oakland, and Rudolph V. Miick, San Leandro, Calif.

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a game device to be played by two or more persons or by two or more groups of persons organized into teams, the game device being constructed to simulate an actual game, e. g., an athletic contest played by teams, such a-s baseball, football, or the like, wherein definite plays and/or playing situations occur. More particularly, the invention relates to a game device 'wherein each player or side is provided with one or more independently operable selectors having indicia representing different plays and/or playing situations encountered in actual games, and the game device is provided with an electrical scoring or result-indicating means which may be permanently energized or may be brought into operation intermittentlythrough an indicator control switch after the players have made their selections on the selectors, the indicator control switch being operated either by one of the players, or by a neutral person acting as umpire or referee, or automatically, as by a relay, upon completion of the selections or after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

The game device is constructed to indicate results which are dependent upon the settings of A the selectors, and the results are such as would occur in an actual game, that is to say, they depend both upon chance and skill. Because the plays, decisions or playing situations indicated on the selectors correspond closely to those encountered in actual games, the game device is useful as an educational device for teaching strategy in the actual game represented; for this purpose the scoring or result indicating unit is preferably constructed so as to indicate thereon only results which are likely to follow from the selected situations and plays. The element of chance is introduced by providing a plurality of different results for a given combination ofv settings of two selectors, all of such alternate results being, preferably, likely to occur when plays selected by the selectors are made in an actual game.

Although the invention may be embodied in various forms to simulate or represent various athletic or sporting contests, it will be described herein as applied to a game of baseball, since this game affords an excellent diversity of plays and results, and, further, illustrates how the results may be controlled not only by the settings of the selectors but also by the score registered thereon.

It should be understood that we do not thereby restrict the invention to the game of baseball.

It is an object of the invention to provide a make selections of plays and/or tactics and/or playing situations, and the results or score will .,.berindicated such results conformingto the probable results in the actual game in which the selected plays, tactics or situations occur.

It is a further object to provide a game device of the type described wherein the indicated result or score may be registered and displayed, the registering unit being interconnected with the score or result-indicating unit to influence the indicated result or score.

Still another object is to provide a game device of the type described having an electrical score or result-indicating unit provided with discriminator circuits for preventing indication of results which are impossible in the actual game because of the rules of the game and the playing or score situation prevailing in such game, e. g., in a baseball game to prevent the indication of a double play when two outs have been registered, or to prevent a caught off base or out stealing result to be indicated when there are no runners on base; or, in a football game, to prevent a eld goal from being scored by a team not having the ball or having the ball in its own territory.

Another object is to provide an interesting game device which will hold the interest o f the players and wherein they player-s play against each other and not against the game. f

K Still another object is to provide a game which may be embodied either as a unit for use in homes, clubs, or the like, or as a commercial, coin-'controlled appliance.

A specific object is to provide a game device representing a baseball game having a miniature representation of a playing eld, wherein the status of the game, e. g., the number of men on bases, the pitch and hits, are indicated by lights located at the appropriate bases, in the pitchers mound and in the batters box, respectively. Ancillary thereto, it is an object to provide an attractive game device alTording spatial as well as mathematical similarity to the actual game by providing a miniature baseball diamond or field whereon results vare indicated by lights located at points thereon where plays and results of the type indicated may occur, e. g., by providing foul ball lights outside of the fair ball eld, and by locating stolen base indicating lights near the bases, and infield single base hit lights within the ineld.

' Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description, which is to be taken in connection with the attached drawings forming a part of this specification and illustrating one preferred specific embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Fig. l is a developed-plan view of the game device, showing, in addition to the horizontal top, the four vertical sides as they would appear if bent upwardly;

i Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the power supply circuit, control switches, and the main component parts of the game device;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram of the pitch selector and batter switches;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of the hit selector and hit defense switches;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the base runners switch;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the outs switch;

Fig. 7 is a wiring diagram of the balls switch;

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of the strikes switch; and

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of the runs switch.

Briefly, according to the present invention we provide a pair of multi-position selector switches to be operated by opposed players, each switch being preferably only visible to the player or team'operating the same and the switches having indicia indicating plays of the game represented by the game device. According to one common embodiment, wherein one defensive play is provided for each offensive play, one of the selector switches is a single circuit, multi-position switch of the non-snorting type (establishing only one connection for any position thereof) and the second selector has one circuit o1' movable contact arm corresponding to each position of the first switch, and has an equal number of positions. In such a combination the second switch has contacts equal in number to the square of the number of positions to which such second switch can be set, and one and only one contact is, at any one combination of settings, connected to and energized directly by the movable arm of the first switch, which may be connected through a control switch to a source of electrical power. By interconnecting selected contacts the number of different output circuits may be reduced to any desired number. The frequency or probability of any particular output circuits being energized during a succession of random settings of the selectors is proportional to the number of contacts connected to such circuit. We may, however, modify the devicev by employing shorting type switches for establishing simultaneously connection to more than one output circuit to indicate results which may occur simultaneously. Moreover, we do not in every case have to provide the same number of positions for the two selector switches of the pair; in other words, we may represent a greater or a lesser number of offensive plays than defensive plays.

Some or all of the output circuits are connected to indicator lights, having appropriate indicia. These results are dependent upon the correlation between the settings of the two selector switches. Thus, when the first selector switch permits selection of a type of defensive play, e. g., a kind of .pitch to be thrown by the pitcher, and the second lselector switch permits selection of a kind of action expected by the player on the offensive, e. g., the kind of pitch expected by the batter, .the circuits are arranged to yield results favorable to the player operating the rst switch if the .opponent expects and selects a play differing fgreatly in kind from that selected by the former, and vice versa.

A further feature of the invention is the pro- -vision of one or more secondary pairs of selector switches to be operated by the opposed players (or by other members of the opposed teams) interconnected similarly to the first pair of selector switches but bearing indicia relating to different types of plays or strategy in the game, e. g.,

the type of hit to be batted by the man at bat.

v46 to 53, inclusive,y can' be selectively illuminated,

Although these switches may be arranged in various ways, we prefer to arrange a second pair of selector switches so thatv the player charged with predicting the play of his opponent when the first pair of switches is set, makes a decision which must be met or predicted by his opponent when the second pair of switches is set. For example, in baseball, the second pair of switches would enable the team at bat to select a type of hit, and the team in the field would select a type of hit to be expected and prepared for. In the specific case described the second pair of selector switches is energized only when the result of the combination of settings of the first pair of selectors is favorable to the player charged with predicting his oppenents play therein, e. g., when a hit is obtained by the batter; in other games, however, the secondary switches may come into play also when the results of the first pair of switches is not favorable to such player, e. g., in football a penalty may be applied against either side regardless of which one has the ball and regardless of whether a gain is made.

The game device is further provided with other switches for varying the results as a function of the score or situation, e. g., in baseball, depending upon the number of men on base, the number of strikes and outs, and in football, depending upon the downs and the proximity to the goal line, etc. Also, there may be a switch for indicating the score. These added features are, however, optional insofar as the general concept of the invention is concerned.

The game device will be better understood by referring to the drawings. In Fig. 1 we have shown a box having an upper, outer face providing a table I0, and vertical side walls IIa, IIb, I Ic and I Id. The table has indicia thereon representing a baseball diamond and lights I2, I3 and I4 representing first, second and third bases. All other lights have indicia associated therewith as follows: Hit light I5 in the batters box; Caught off base light I6; Double play light I1; Out stealing light I8; Triple play light I9; three Strikes lights 20, 2l and 22; three Outs lights 23, 24 and 25; two "Foul ball lights 26 and 21; Hit by pitch light 28; Wild pitch light 29; overthrown light 30; Error-1 base light 3I; Fielders choice light 32; Stolen base light 33; Double steal light 34; Outrunners advance light 35; infield Single light 36; two outeld Single lights 3'I and 38; Double light 39; Triple light 40; Home run light 4I; four Balls lights 42, 43, 44 and 45; eight Runs lights 46 to 53, inclusive; and a Pitch light 54 in the pitchers box. These lights may be of contrasting colors t0 indicate kinds of results; thus, we may use red for lights I2 to 25; yellow for lights 26 to 3|; white for lights 32 to 35; green for lights 36 to 53, all inclusive; and orange or red for light 54. Any small, low voltage bulb, such as peanut or flashlight lamps, may be used. We prefer to install lights brighter than the others for lights 22, 25, 4I and 45, to indicate a strike-out, retirement of the side, a home run and a walk, respectively.

The lights are energized by electric power supplied through an electric cord attached to a receptable 55 in the rear wall I Id, through circuits to be described. A main switch 56 may be provided to control all circuits, but may be omitted because power can be cut off by disconnecting the cord, When switch 56 is closed the runs lights lights t2 to 45, inclusive, may be illuminated cumulatively through a balls switch 59 in front wall IIb (Figs. 1, 2 and 7); strikes lights 20, 2I and 22 may be cumulatively illuminated through a strikes switch BI] in left side wall IIa (Figs. 1, 2 and 8); and outs lights 23, 24 and 25 may be cumulatively illuminated through an outs switch 5I in left side wall lla (Figs. 1, 2 and 6). Although switches 59 to 6I, inclusive, are, like switches 5l and 58, directly connected to the transformer for power, they do not illuminate the lights 22, 25 and I5 `directly but merely connect these lights to other circuit elements energized by the selector switches, to be described. Switches 58 to SI also control discriminator circuits, as will become evident hereafter.

The left side IIa is further provided with a normally open, spring return index Pitch switch 52 (Figs. 1 and 2); a Pitch selector switch 63 (Figs. l, 2 and 3); and a Hit defense switch 5t (Figs. 1, 2 and 4). The front wall IIb further carries a Batter switch 66 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) and a Hit selector switch 65 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4). The switches 63 and 56 constitute a pair of correlated selector switches, and switches 64 and 55 another pair of correlated selector switches. The game device is arranged so that the player or players in the eld is/are on the left side for operating switches 6I] to 64, inclusive, while the player or players at bat is/are at the front for operating switches 57, 58, 59, 65 and 66. Neither player can see the opponents switches.

Referring to Fig. 2, the circuit comprises a transformer 5l, e. g., one receiving 11() v., A. C. from receptacle 55 and delivering 2.5 v. in the secondary, one side of which is grounded at 68. One side of all lights is similarly grounded, so that only onempower circuit need be described. All points marked 69 are interconnected and energized when the switch 56 is closed. The live side of the secondary transformer coil is further connected to one side of the pitch switch 62, the controlled side of which is connected to the movable arm of the pitch selector switch E3 by wire 'I9 and also to the Pitch light 54 at the pitchers mound by a wire PM. The scoreboard shown in Fig. 2 represents, in its entirety, the table I@ and the indicia and lights thereon. It will be seen that A the light 5d is illuminated each time the switch 62 is closed, to indicate a pitch or throw to a baseman.

Switch 63, shown in Figs. 3, is a single-circuit, eleven-position switch. Eleven wires PI to PI I, inclusive, leading from diierent contacts, are connected to the eleven separate contact arms of eleven-circuit, eleven-position switch 6.6, such as a gang switch indicated in the drawing. While the latter has 121 contact points, these are interconnected to provide only twelve separate output circuits Qi to QIE, inclusive.

Circuit Q I, which u is energized when a hit is registered, is branched and connected both to the Hit light I5 and t0 the movable arm of the hit selector switch 65. Circuits Q2 and Q3 are connected to the balls switch 59 and strikes switch 59, respectively; five wires, Qd to Q8, inclusive, are connected to lights on the scoreboard asindicated in Table I, below; y and four wires, Q9 -to QI 2, inclusive,are connectedwo.

`6 to the base runners switch 58. The designations of the wires are as follows:

TABLE I Flelfggy Designahon Connection 27 Hit Hit5 light 15 and switch 6 39 Ball Switch 59. 26 Strike Switch 60. 5 Foul ball #1 Light 26 9 Foul ball #2....` Light 27 1 Hit by pitch. Light 28 1 Wild pitch Light 29. 1 Error-1 base Light 31. 2 Stolen base #1 Switch 58. 2 Stolen base #2-.. Do. 2 Caught off base. Do. 6 Out-stealing- Do.

The relative frequency, given in the second column of Table I, indicates the relative frequency at which any stated output circuit would be energized, assuming a succession of random settings of the switches S3 and 66. These numbers correspond to the number of output contacts of switch 66 connected to the respective circuit. The probability of energizing any circuit may be obtained by dividing its relative frequency by 121, the total number of contacts.

Switch 65, shown in Fig. 4, is a single-circuit, nine-position switch. Nine wires HI to H9, inclusive, leading from different contacts, are connected to the nine separate contact arms of ninecircuit, nine-position switch 64, such as a gang switch, having 81 contacts, some of which are interconnected to provide eleven output circuits KI to KI I, inclusive, as shown in Table II:

TABLE II Flggy Designation Connection 9 Infield single base hit Light 36. 10 Double base hit Light 39. 3 Triple base hit Light 4!) 2 Home run Light 4l. l Single base hit and Lights 30 and 38.

overthrow. 1l Otield single base Light 37.

1 K7 9 Out-runners advance Switch 58. K8 7 Double play- Do. K9 2 Do. K10 9 Do. K11 18 Switch 6l.

58. Similarly, since it is desired to illuminate light 23, 24 or 25 if there are no, one or two previous outs in the inning, respectively, circuit KI I is fed to switch 6 I. Switch 58, shown in Fig. 5, is an eleven-circuit, eight-position switch.: The rst, three circuits are -..energized continuously from source 69 and energize output circuits BRI, BRZ and BRS'; the next four circuits, comprising separate moving contact arms, are energized by circuits KI to KID, inclusive, and selectively energize one of thirty-two contacts, which are interconnected to provide five output circuits BR8 to BRI2, inclusive; the last four circuits, also comprising separate contact arms, are energized bycircuits Qtc- QI2, inclusiva-and selectively..energizegthirty-two con- 8 tacts, which are interconnected to provide six Theballs switch 59, shown in Fig. 7, is a fouroutput circuits, BRI! to BR'I, inclusive, BRI3 and circuit, four-position switch, the rst movable BRM. These output circuits are as follows: contact arm of which is connected to circuits Q2 TABLE III and BRI3, and the other three arms of which are constantly energized from source 69. These arms output No of make contact with sixteen different contacts, Circuit Contacts Desgnatlm Connecto some of which are interconnected to provide four output circuits as follows:

4 girst lae igli 12. 4 econ ase ig 13. 4 Third base L1g11214. 10 TABLE V 10 Caught off base. Light 16. 10 gut-stealing-. ligt S.

7 to en ase ig 3. l Double Steal Light 34. Output Circuit Desgination Connection 5 Fielders choice Switch 61. 6 Out-runners ad- Do. First bau Light 42 Second ball Light 43. 1g 113g Third bail Lig? 4g. 4 switch1,v1uc1rcu1tk11. Fourth baum Lg t4 1 Switch 59, via circuit Q2. 3 Switch 60, via circuit Q3.

20 The strikes switch 60, shown in Fig. 8; is a three-circuit, three-position switch, the first movable contact arm of which is connected to crcuits Q3 and BRM, and the remaining two arms of which are constantly energized from source G9. These arms make contact with nine contacts, some of which are interconnected to provide three output circuits as follows:

Circuit BRI2 energizes the out circuit in the same manner as an out over circuit KI I. The results according to circuits BRB to BRIE), inclusive, are modified in the outs switch 6I through dis-- criminator circuits so as to indicate a simple out when there are already two outs in the inning; and to change a triple play into a double play When there is already one out, etc.

The switch 6I, shown in Fig. 6, is a seven-circuit, three-position switch, of which the first mov- TABLE V1 able contact arm is connected to circuits KI I and 3 BRI2, as also to output circuit T8 by an nternal connection; the second and third movable contact arms are constantly supplied with power from source 69. These rst three arms make contact selectively with nine contacts, which are interconnected to provide three output circuits TI, T2 and T3. The remaining four movable Output Circuit Designation Connection First strike Light 20. Second strike Light 21. Third strike. Light 22.

arms are connected to circuits BRS to BRI I, re- The runs switch l51, Shown in Fig 9, is a simple SDGCtVely, and selectivelyl energize tWelVe C011- 40 single-circuit, nine-position switch the movable tactS, some of which are mterconnected to p1 0 arm of which is constantly energized from source Vide four external Output ClYClllfS '1:4 t0 T7, 111- 69. It has an open position and eight contacts elusive, and one internal output c1rcu1t T8. These Connected, respectively, to circuits RI to R8, inoutput circuits are as follows: elusive, which are connected to lights 46 to 53, TABLE 1V 4,.) respectively, for illuminating one flight at a time. The connections to the various contacts of the Output rst three of these, viz., the switches shown in Circuit Dcslgnatm Connecton Figs. 3, 4 and 5, are diiicult to follow, and to present more readily understandable indication T1 Firstuut igw. 50 of the circuits established by various settings, lg t24 the following three tables are presented. In T4 Lj h Sr. these tables, the circuit indicated at the inter- TII lgliblrgyrfs. f1 Lihg 131 section of any horizontal row and vertical column T7 Tup1epiay iightl. t t r t represents the output circuit established when 18 one out ngbloncllg? arm if 55 the circuits described at the left are energized sameswitcmvia K11. and the switch is set to the position shown at the top:

TABLE VII Circuits established by pitch selector and batter switches Eleven Positions of Batter Switch Eleven Positions 4 of Pitch Selector l 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Switch Ball Ohgg Df Cross-tire. Screwball Curve lg' Slider Sinker 33 Steal 1 screwbau Q2 Q2 Qsv Q1 Q3 Q2 Q3 Q1 Q1 Q5 9 2 Q1 Qs Q1 Q2 Q2 Q7 Q2 Q5 Q1 12 3 Q3 Q2 Q2 Q1 Q1 Q3 Q5 Q2 Q3 Q12 4 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2 Q12 5 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q12 c. Q3 Q1 Q3 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q5 Q10 7 Q3 Q3 Q3 Q1 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q3 Q2 Q12 s Q2 Q2 Q3 Q2 Q3 Q1 QJ Q1 Q1 oc 9 Q1 Q4 Q2 Q6 Q5 Q3 Q3 Q11 Q2 Q11 1o Q1 Qs Q1 Q5 Qs Q5 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q12 11 Q5 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q5 v Q1 Qa Q2 Qs Q10 TABLE VIII Circuits established by hit selector and hit defense switches Nine Positions of Hit Defense Switch Nine Positions of Selector 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Switch Ht d Sl H 1 an ow ot Texas Run Sacnce Bunt Line Drive Home Run Long Fly R 011er Gmnder Leaguer 1 Long Fly K6 K3 K2 K7 K11 K8 K10 K2 K11 2 Home Run-. K6 K10 K4 K11 K8 K11 K6 K2 K7 3 Hit and Run K9 K11 K6 K11 K2 K7 K3 K6 K6 4 Line Drive.- K11 K2 K6 K9 K10 K7 K2 K11 K4 5 Sacriiice.. K1 K8 K11 K2 K1 K7 K10 K1 K11 6 Bunt K11 K7 K8 K10 KI K1 KI() K11 K1 7 Texas Leaguer K6 K2 K6 K11 K7 K11 K6 K10 K8 8 Hot Grounder K11 K3 K10 K5 K7 K2 K11 K8 K6 9 Slow Roller K10 K11 K11 K1 K1 K2 K8 K7 K1 TABLE IX Circuits established by base runners switch Eight Positions of Base Runners Switch Eleven Input Circuits 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1st and 2d 1st and 3d 2d and All None 1st Base 2d Base 3d Base Bases Bases 3d Bases Bases (a) Constantly E n c r gi z e d from Transformer: I.. NC BRI NO NC BRI BRI NC BRI NC NC BR2 NC BR2 NC BR2 BR2 3.. NC NC NC BR3 NC BRS BB3 BRS (b) From Hit Defense Switch:

4. K7 Out-Runners Ad- Vance BR12 BR9 BRQ BRQ BRIO BRI) BRQ BR9 5. K8 Double Play. BR12 BRIO BRIO BRIO BRI() BRIO BRIO BRIO 6. K9 Triple Play BRI2 BRIO BRIO BRI() BRII BRIO BRIO BRII 7. K10 Fieldcrs Choice. BR12 BRS BRS BRS BRI() BR8 BRS BRIO (c) From Batters Switch:

8. Q9 Stolen Base No. 1.... BR14 BRG BR5 BRG BRG BR5 BR5 BRE 9. Q10 Stolen Base No. 2... BRM BR BRG BR4 BR? BRG BR4 BH4 l0. Q11 Caught Ofi Base.-. BR14 BR4 BR4 BR4 BR4 BR4 BR4 BR4 11. Q12 Out Stealing BR13 BR5 BR5 BR5 BR5 BR5 BR5 BR5 NOTE.-NC indicates no contact connection.

Von the wiring diagram of Fig. 3, wherein the circuit is: wire 'lil-movable arm of switch (i3- seventh stationary contact of switch (i3-circuit wire Pil-seventh movable arm of switch 66- ninth stationary contact of the seventh section 1 of switch dclrcut Q3. As is shown in Figs. 2 and 8, circuit Q3 is connected to the strikes switch 63, and causes the lowest numbered, unilluminated strikes light 20, 2| or 22 to be i1- luminated. The indicated result of the play is,

therefore, a strike; this result for circuit Q3 is, further, given in Table I. It should be noted that with this result the switches Gli and 65 are not energized, and it is immaterial how they were positioned.

If, in the example of the preceding paragraph, the second player had moved his batters switch 66 to its sixth position (indicating that he expected a roundhouse to be pitched), the result would have been a hit instead of a strike. Thus, in this event, the closing of the pitch switch 62 causes the output circuit QI instead of output circuit Q3 to be energized. This result is similarly tabulated in Table VII, and can 'likewise be traced in Fig. 3 as follows: wire 'III- movable arm of switch 63-seventh stationary contact of switch (i3-circuit wire P'I-seventh movable arm of switch E56- sixth stationary contact of the seventh section of switch Sii-circuit QI. As is indicated in Table I, circuit QI represents a hit, and, as shown in Fig. 2, a branch of circuit QI leads to the scoreboard, Where it energizes the hit light I5. Another branch of circuit QI energizes the hit selector switch 65, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

When a hit is obtained, eleven different results are possible, as tabulated in Table II. Which of these results will occur depends upon the positions of the hit selector switch 65 and the hit defense switch 64. For example, if in the situation of the example of the immediately preceding paragraph the second player had moved his hit selector switch 55 to its fourth position (indicating that he intended to hit a line drive) and the rst player had moved his hit defense switch 64 to its second position (indieating that he expected the batter to hit a sacrifice), the subsequent closing of the switch 62 and energization of circuit QI would have resulted in the energization of output circuit K2 which, according-to Table II, is a double base hit, and is connectedto the double base hit light 39 on the scoreboard. The connection of circuit K2 to the scoreboard is shown in Fig.V 2. The above-stated result of these two positions of the switches 64 and 6'5 is indicated in Table VIII, and may, moreover, be traced on the wiring diagram of Fig. 4, wherein the circuit is: circuit wire .QI- movable arm of switch -fourth stationary contact of switch (i5-circuit wire III-fourth v'persons familiar with such devices.

contact of the fourth section of switch -64-output circuit K2.

When the switches 64 and 65 are positioned to result in the energization of one of the circuits K1 to Kl!) when a hit is obtained, the resulting signal passes through the base runners switch 58, by one of the four wires shown on Fig, 2. For example, if the switches 63, 64 and .66 are positioned as described in the -two preceding paragraphs, but the first player positions his hit defense switch 64 to its fourth position (indicating that he expects a line drive to be hit) the K6 circuit is energized instead of the K2 circuit. This result is tabulated in Table VIII vand may be traced in Fig. 4 as follows: circuit wire QI-movable arm of switch (i5-'fourth stationary `contact of switch {i5-circuit wire Hit-fourth movable arm of switch (i4-fourth stationary contact of the fourth section of switch (ill-output circuit K9. As shown in Table II, the K9 circuit corresponds to a triple play. Circuit K9 Ais not, however, connected directly to the triple play light I9, because a 'triple play is possible only when there are at least two men on bases and, in addition, there are no outs in the inning. To

take care of situations wherein these conditions are not satisfied we provide discriminator circuits, which are rdescribed more completely hereinafter.

As will be apparent from the wiring diagrams, the H and K circuits, and those energized thereby (including circuits BRS to BRI2, inclusive) are energized only when circuit Qi, representing a hit, is energized; this occurs on an average of 22.3% of the times that the switches 63 and 66 are set, assuming random settings. In these instances circuits Q2 to QIZ are not energized. Itv

follows that the paix` of selector switches 65 and 64 establish energized circuits only when a hit is indicated by the first pair of selector switches 63'and'66.

According to one simplified embodiment, we may omit switches 64 and 65 and the circuits controlled thereby, and use only a single pair of selector switches. In this simplified form, the Qi circuit may be sub-'divided into several separate sub-circuits connected to different groups of contacts on switch 6B to indicate various types of hits on different lights, as will be evident to However, by providing two pairs of selector switches the game is made far more interesting and comes closer to Asimulating an actual game. Moreover, this permits four players to `participate and introduces the element of trying to outguess the opponent into both sides; thus, not only must the batter select a pitch similar to that to be thrown by the pitcher, but the pitcher (or his partner) must select a type of hit corresponding to that to -be batted by the batter.

While we have, in this description and drawings, made reference to well-understood multiposition switches with movable contact arms, we desire it understood that the switches may take other forms more readily adapted for mass production, e. g., cam actuated reciprocating switches, etc.

PLAYING THE GAME Playing the game proceeds by following the steps followed in an actual major league basel2 referred to as the rst player) facing the left side Ha, and the player representing the side at bat (herein called the second p1ayer) facing the front Hb.

The switch 56 being closed, switches 51 to 16| being set to their rst positions (to darken all lights) and switch 62 being open, the first player selects a pitch and :a hit defense on switches .63 `and 64, while the second player selects an expected pitch and -a hit on switches 66 and 65, respectively. The first player then dcpresses switch lever 62, thereby energizing circuits 10 and PM to illuminate light 54 in the pitcherls mound, and, in addition, a score or result light, depending upon the output circuit energized by the selector switches and, in the case of output circuits Q2, Q3, Q9 to Q12, inclusive, and K1 to KI I, inclusive, depending also upon the playing situation registered by the switches 58, 59, 60 or 6L The switch '62 is then released to permit it to open, and the previously indicated result is registered by manual operation of one of the registering devices, i. e., by turning the pointer of one or more of the switches 51-6L Thus, if the result was a strike or an out (which would be indicated by the illumination of light 20 or 23, respectively) the rst player operates switch 60 or 6l, respectively, to its second position. If the result was a ball lor a base hit (which would be indicated by the illumination of light 42, or one of the other lights, such as Sli-4l, respectively, the second player operates switch 59 to its second position, or switch 58 to the proper position. Runs are registered by operating switch 51.

After the result has been registered the players make new selections and the play continues until the second player has three outs, according to the well understood rules of baseball.

As `indicated on the drawing, the selections which can vbe made on switches 63 and 66 are those listed in Table VII, while those which can be made on switches 64 and 65 are those listed in Table VIII. These selections have names well `understood in baseball, but may, of course, be varied to -provide different types of plays to conform to local terminology. It is believed to be vnecessary herein lto'explain the meanings of only a few of the less universally known expressions:

A roundhouse is 'an exaggerated curve, normally away from the batter, a ball that does not have the sharp break of a true curve ball.

A crossre is similar to a roundhouse but curves toward the batter.

A slider is thrown so that it breaks or curves toward the batter as it crosses the plate.

A sinker is thrown so that it breaks or drops toward the ground as it crosses the plate.

A -screwball is thrown so that it appears to corkscrew at is approaches the batter.

A ball is lthrown intentionally slightly wide of the plate to induce 'the batter to swing and miss; if not swung at it is a ball. In contrast, a pitch out is thrown intentionally wide of the plate to walk a batter orto .enable the catcher to catch the ball quickly rand catch a runner off base.

A Texas leaguer is a fly ball that is hit just too far for an inflelder to catch but not far enough to reach the outelders.

A hit and run is made when the runner is about to start running as the pitcher starts his pitch, and the batter must hit to protect the frunn'er.

It is often used when the runner is at first and, Lif properly executed, gets the runner DISCRIMINATOR CIRCUITS It should be noted that the electrical scoring and result-indicating circuits passing through switches 58, 59, 50 or 6I are provided with discriminator features. For example, when a ball has been registered on balls switch 59, the first ball light 42 remains continuously illuminated and when the selector switches are set to indicate the next ball this result will be indicated by the illumination of the next lowest numbered unilluminated ball light I3 when the switch 62 is closed. Similarly, the strikes and outs are indicated by illuminating the light next to the `pre-` viously illuminated light.

The discriminator action of the base runners switch 58 and the outs switch 6I in changing some of the results in circuits Q9 to QIZ and K1 to KI!) was previously referred to. For example, the elders choice circuit KI i] is not connected directly to elders choice light 32 and circuit TI 0, but to the movable contact arm of the seventh section of the base runners switch 58 (Fig. 5) where circuit KI is connected to one of three different output circuits:

(a) When there are runners on any one base or on first and third bases, or on second and third bases, all movable contact arms of switch 58 are either in their second, third, fourth, sixth or seventh positions (as is evident from the indicia on Fig. 1 opposite the pointer of switch 58). It is evident from Fig. that, in this position, the circuit KID is connected through the seventh movable contact arm to the output circuit BRS, and the signal will remain a fielders choice." This output circuit goes to the out switch 6I, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6, where it energizes the movable contact arm of the fourth section. If no out or if only one out has been registered on switch 5I, all of its movable contact arms are in their rst or second positions; in either of these positions the circuit BRB will be connected to the output circuit Td and lielders choice light 32. Only in with these combinations of settings of switches 58 and 6I does the signal in circuit KIQ remain a elders choice. If two outs were previously registered on the out switch a flelders choice is an inappropriate indication and the discrimination action of switch 6I prevents such an indication. Thus, when two outs are registered on this switch, all of its movable contact arms are on their third contacts, and the circuit BRB will be connected through the fourth movable contact arm and internal circuit TS to the rst movable contact arm of the same switch and, through the latter, to output circuit T3 and the third out light 25, whereby the ielders choice is changed into an out (b) When there are no runners on bases a elders choice is obviously impossible, and to avoid an indication the signal is changed to an out by the base runners switch 58. Thus, with no runners on bases, the movable contact arms of switch 58 are on their iirst contact points (in the positions illustrated in the drawing) whereby the circuit KI is connected to the output circuits BRI2 and KI I, changing the signal to an out Circuits BRI2 and KII are connected to the first movable contact arm of out switch 6I, through which one of the three outs circuits TI, T2 or T3 is energized, depending upon the number of outs registered for the current inning. This will cause the next lowest out light 23, 24 or 25 on the scorrerst movable contact arm of the same switch and,through the latter, to output circuit T3. and "the third out light 25, whereby the signal is board to be illuminated, these connections being tabulated in Table IV.

" (c) When there are runners on first and second bases, or if there are runners on all bases, the movable contact arms of switch 58 are in their fifth or eighth positions, respectively; hence, as Ais evident from Fig. 5, in either of these situations the seventh section of this switch will connect the circuit K I II Vto the output circuit BRI 8, thereby changing the "elders choice into a double play. This output circuit goes to the sixth movable contact arm of the out switch 6I. If no out, or if only one out has been registered on switch 6I, circuit BRIII is connected to output circuit T6, energizing double play light I 1. However, when two outs were previously registered, a double play is obviously impossible; in this situation the switch is in its third position and the circuit BRIO is connected through the fourth movable contact arm-and the internal circuit T8 to the changed into an out The out-runners advance circuit K1 similarly goes to the fourth movable contact arm of l.the base runners switch where it will change to an out through circuits BRI2 and KII unless there is at least one runner on the bases. If there are runners on rst and second bases, it will change to the double play circuit BRIO lwhich is further controlled in the out switch as described in the foregoing paragraph; in all other situations it will remain out-runners advance v BRIZ and KI I unless there is at least one runner on the bases. If there are any runners on the bases, it will remain a double play, energizing circuit BRIE), going to the out switch 5I where the signal is further conditioned by the number of outs registered as described above.

The triple play circuit K9 is connected to the sixth movable arm of the base runners switch 58 and is thereby changed to an out through circuits BRIE and KII unless there are at least two runners on the bases. If there is only one runner on the bases, or if there are runners on second and third bases, or on rst and third bases, it will change to a double play, energizing circuit BRIIL which is further controlled Vin the out switch as described above. If there are runners on iirst and second bases, or if the bases are full, it will remain a triple play, energizing circuit BRI I to the out switch 6 I. At the out switch the triple play is changed to an out through internal circuit T3 if there are already two outs registered; if there is one out, it will change to a double pla-y, energizing circuit T5 and Vdouble play light I'I; and if there are no .previous'outs it will remain a triple play, energizing circuit T1 and triple play light I9.

The caught oi base" circuit QII is changed to a strike by the tenth movable contact arm of the -base runners switch, energizing circuit BRM to strikes switch 60, unless there is at least i3 one runner on the bases. When there is atleast one runner on the bases it will remain caught off base and energize circuit BR4 and caught oil? base light I6.

The out stealing circuit QIZ first goes to the eleventh movable contact arm of the base runners switch, where it will change to a balL energizing circuit BRIS to balls switch 59, unless there is at least one runner on the bases. With any runners on the bases it will remain out e stealing and energize circuit BR5 and out stealing light I8.

The stolen base #P circuit Q9 is changed by the eighth movable contact arm in the base runners switch to a strike, energizing Ycircuit BRM; to strikes switch 60, unless there is at least one runner on the bases. If there are runners on second base, or on first and third bases, or on second and third bases, it will change to out stealing, energizing circuit BRE and out stealing light i8. If there are runners on rst base, or on third base, or on iirst and second bases, or on all bases, it will become a stolen base and energize circuit BRG and stolen base light 33.

The stolen base #2 circuit QIO is changed by the ninth movable contact arm in the base runners switch to a strikef energizing circuit BRM to strikes switch 60, unless there is at least one runner on the bases. If there are runners on third base, or on second and third bases, or on all bases, it will change to caught oi base and energize circuit BRIS and caught oi base light I6. If there are runners on first and second bases, -it will change to a double steal" and energize cir'- cuit BR'l1 and double steal light 34. If there are runners on iirst base or second base, or on first and third bases, it will become a stolen base and energize circuit BRE and stolen 'base light 33.

Certain ground rules must be agreed upon before playing the game. Such rules may, for example, provide that when a elders choice is indicated the most advanced base runner is always put out. Similar rules may be made to cover situations arising from double play, caught off base, out stealing, stolen base, double steal, single and overthrow, hit by pitch, wild pitch, infield singles, and outiield single indications. Since such rules may be formulated as desired, they need not be presented herein. We may, however, provide additional discrimlnator circuits, of the type described above, to cover any or all of the situations covered by the ground rules; conversely, we may eliminate some of the discriminator circuits and arrange for conflicting or doubtful situations by ground rules, it being possible to construct our game device to any degree of complexity desired.

We claim as our invention:

1. A game device representing a game played by two or more sides comprising a source of electric power, a plurality of independently operable selector switches having a multiplicity of selectable points of contact and connected to said source of power, an electrical network connected to said switches and providing a plurality of output circuits, each switch being located to be operated by one of several opposed players out of view of opposing players to energize said output circuits selectively, indicia for said selector switches indicating plays in said game, a plurality of lights connected to said output circuits for indicating different results in said game consequent upon the plays indicated on said indicia at least one of said lights indicating a potentially irnpossible result which, under the rules of the game,

is impossible in certain playing situations, a multi-position registering device having a multiposition switch positioned thereby and indicia for indicating a plurality of playing situations in said game including said playing situations, and a discriminator circuit connected to and selectively conditioned by said last-named switch and interposed between said light indicating a potentially impossible result and its output circuit for disconnecting said output circuit from said light and connecting it instead to another light indicating a result which is possible with the playing situation registered by said registering de- Vice.

2. In combination with the device according to claim 1, a normally open switch for normally disconnecting said source of power.

3. A game device representing a baseball game comprising a source of electric power, a pitch selector switch, a batter selector switch, said switches having a multiplicity of selectable points of contact and being connected to said source of power, an electrical network connected to said switches and providing a plurality of output circuits, said switches being adapted to be operated independently by opposed players, each switch being visible only to the player operating the same to energize said output circuits selectively, indicia for said selector switches indicating different 'kinds of pitches, a plurality of result-indicating lights connected to said output circuits for indicating results consequent upon a kind of pitch selected on the pitch selector switch being thrown to a batter expecting a pitch of the kind selected on the batter selector switch, indicia for said lights indicating the said results at least one of said lights indicating a potentially impossible result which, under baseball rules, is impossible in certain playing situations, a multi-position registering device having a multi-position switch positioned thereby and indicia for indicating a plurality of playing situations in said game including said playing situations, and a discriminator circuit connected to and selectively conditioned by said last-named switch and interposed between said light indicating a potentially impossible result and its output circuit for disconnecting said output circuit from said light and connecting it instead to another light indicating a result which is possible with the playing situation registered by said registering device.

4. In combination with the game device according to claim 3, a table having indicia representing in miniature, a baseball playing field, at least some of said result-indicating lights being mounted on said table.

5. A game device representing a baseball game comprising a source of electric power, a hit selector switch, a hit defense selector switch, said switches having a multiplicity of selectable contact points and being connected to said source of power, an electrical network connected to said switches and providing a plurality of output circuits, said switches being adapted to be operated independently by opposed players to energize said circuits selectively, indicia for said selector -switches indicating diilerent kinds of hits, a plurality of result-indicating lights connected to said output circuits for indicating results consequent upon a hit of the kind selected on the hit selector switch being batted when the players in the eld expect a hit of the kind selected on the hit defense selector switch, indicia for said lights indicating the said results, at least one of said lights indicating a potentially impossible result which is, under baseball rules, impossible when a minimum number of runners is on bases, a multi-position base runner-registering device having a multi-position switch and indicia for indicating the runners on bases, and a discriminator circuit controlled by said last-named switch and interposed between said result-indicating light and its output circuit for disconnecting said output circuit from said light and connecting it instead to another light indicating a result which is possible with the number of runners on base registered by said base runnereregistering device.

6. A gaine device representing a baseball game comprising a source of electric power, a hit selector switch, a hit defense selector switch, said switches having a multiplicity of selectable contact points and being connected to said source of power, an electrical network connected to said switches and providing a plurality of output circuits, said switches being adapted to be operated independently by opposed players to energize said circuits selectively, indicia for said selector switches indicating different kinds of hits, a plurality of result-indicating lights connected to said output circuits for indicating results consequent upon a hit of the kind select-ed on the hit selector switch being batted when the players in the field expect a hit of the kind selected on the hit defense selector switch, indicia for said lights indicating the said results, at least one of said lights indicating a potentially impossible result which is, under baseball rules, possible only when not more than a maximum number of outs have occurred in an inning, a multi-position out-registering device having a multi-position switch and indicia for indicating the number of outs, and a discriminator circuit controlled by said lastnamed switch and interposed between said result-indicating light and its output circuit for disconnecting said output circuit from said light and connecting it instead to another light indicating a result which is possible with the number of outs registered by said outs-registering device.

7. A game device representing a game played by two or more sides comprising a source of electrical power, two pairs of independently operable, multi-position selector switches, one switch of each pair being disposed to be operated by one of two opposed players and the other switch of each pair being disposed to be operated .by the other player, each switch being visible only to 'the player operating the saine, indicia for the rst pair of switches indicating a first Set of plays in said gaine, indicia for the second pair of switches indicating a second set of plays in said gaine, a plurality of electrical first output circuits selectively energized jointly by the rst pair oi switches representing results consequent upon plays selected by the opposed players and set on said rst pair of switches, at least one of said first output circuits being connected to said second pair of switches, a plurality of electrical second output circuits selectively energized jointly by the second pair of selector switches upon energization of said one iirst output circuit by the first pair of switches representing results consequent upon plays selected by the opposed players and set on said second pair of switches in conjunction with the result corresponding to the said one first output circuit, result-indicating lights for said first output circuits and resulteindicating lights for said second output circuits for indicating results represented by said output circuits.

8. A game device representing a two-sided gaine comprising two pairs of independently operable,

selector switches having a multiplicity of selectable points of contact, one switch of each pair being adapted to be operated by one of two opposed players and the other switch of each pair being disposed to be operated by the other player, indicia for the switches of the rst pair indicating a first set of plays in said game, indicia for the switches of the second pair indicating a second set of plays in said game, each pair of switches being interconnected to establish an electrical connection from an input circuit selectively to several output circuits representing results consequent upon plays selected by the opposed players and set on the respective pairs of switches, a source of electrical energy for the input circuit oi said first pair of switches, the input circuit of said second pair of switches being connected to at least one output circuit from said first pair of switches, a plurality of resultindicating lights connected to at least some of the output circuits of each of said pairs of switches, and indicia for said lights indicating results corisequent upon the selected plays by opposed players.

9. In combination with the game device according to claim 8, a fifth selector switch having a multiplicity of points of contact operable to register a situation in the game, and a discriminator circuit connected to and selectively conditioned by said iifth switch and interconnected between at least some of said output circuits and said result-indicating lights for disconnecting said lights from their respective output circuits and connecting other lights to said output circuits in accordance with the situation in the game.

10. In combination with the game device according to claim 9, a sixth selector switch having a multiplicity of points of contact operable to register a different type of situation in the game, and a second discriminator circuit connected to and selectively conditioned by said sixth switch and interconnected between the discriminator circuit of said fifth switch and at least some of the result-indicating lights for disconnecting said discriminator circuits of the iifth switch from said last-named lights and connecting them instead to other lights in accordance with the said oliierent type of situation in the game.

il. A game device representing a two-sided game comprising a pair of independently operable, multi-position selector switches adapted to be operated by opposed players, indicia for said selectors indicating plays in the game, a plurality of output circuits jointly controlled by said selector switches, a plurality of result-indicating lights, for indicating results consequent upon the selected plays by opposed players in said game, a separate multi-position switch operable to register a situation in the gaine, and a discriminator circuit connected to and selectively conditioned by said separate switch and interconnected between at least some of said output circuits and said lights for connecting different ones of said lights to said output circuits for indicating results in accordance with the situation of the game.

l2. A game device representing a baseball game comprising (l) a multi-position pitch selector switch, (2) a multi-position batter switch, (3) a multi-position hit selector switch and (4) a multiposition hit defense switch, said switches being independently operable disposed relatively so that the rst and fourth named switches are operable by a first player and the second and third named switches are operable by a second player, indicia for the rst and second switches representing 19 types of pitches, indicia for the third and fourth switches representing types of hits, a source of electrical energy, said first and second switches being interconnected to establish an electrical connection from Said source of electrical energy selectively to several rst output circuits, said third and fourth switches being interconnected to establish an electrical connection from at least one oi said rst output circuits selectively to several second output circuits, a plurality of resultindicating lights for indicating results consequent upon the selected pitches and hits being made yand expected by the opposed players connected to said iirst and second output circuits.

13. In combination with the game device according to claim l2, a .base runners switch having indicia for registering runners on bases, and a discriminator circuit controlled by said base runners switch and interconnected between at least some of said output circuits and said result-indicating lights for connecting different resultindicating lights to said output circuits for indicating results in accordance with the men on bases.

14. In combination with the game according to claim 12, an outs switch having indicia for registering outs, and a discriminator circuit controlled by said out switch and interconnected between at least some of said output circuits and said result-indicating lights for connecting different result-indicating lights to said output circuits for indicating results in accordance with the outs.

15. In combination with the game device according to claim 14, a plurality of lights indicating outs, and a circuit controlled by said outs switch for cumulatively energizing said lights.

16. A game device representing a baseball game comprising a table having indicia thereon representing a baseball playing eld, a plurality of lights thereon representing base runners, a base runner switch for selectively connecting said lights to a source of electric power, a iirst series of lights indicating balls, a second series of lights indicating strikes, a third series of lights indicating outs, switches for selectively connecting the lights of said series to a source of electric power, two pairs of independently operable, multi-position selector switches, one selector switch of each pair being disposed to be operated by one of two players and the other switch of each pair being disposed to be operated by the other player, each switch being visible only to the player operating the same, indicia for the first pair of switches indicating kinds of pitches, indicia for the second pair of switches indicating kinds of hits, resultindicating lights on said table for indicating results consequent upon the pitches selected on a switch on the first pair being made when a pitch of the kind selected on the other switch of the first pair is expected and consequent upon a hit of the kind selected on one switch of the second pair being made when a hit of the kind selected on the other switch of the second pair is expected, and a plurality of output circuits from said selector switches controlled jointly by said pairs of switches for connecting said result-indicating lights selectively to a source of power.

17. In combination with the game device according to claim 16, a rst discriminator circuit interposed between at least some of said resultindicating lights and some of said output circuits and controlled by said base runner switch for changing the indicated result in accordance with the men on base, and a second discriminator circuit interposed between said rst discriminator circuit and at least some of said result-indicating lights and controlled by the switch which controls the third series of lights ior changing the indicated results in accordance with the number of outs.

ARMAND E. WERLE. RUDOLPH V. MIICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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