US3044778A - Coin-operated game - Google Patents

Coin-operated game Download PDF

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Publication number
US3044778A
US3044778A US727407A US72740758A US3044778A US 3044778 A US3044778 A US 3044778A US 727407 A US727407 A US 727407A US 72740758 A US72740758 A US 72740758A US 3044778 A US3044778 A US 3044778A
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Prior art keywords
ball
secured
balls
switch
shutter
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Expired - Lifetime
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US727407A
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Joseph E Beck
Binks Melvin
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Individual
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Individual
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286Type of games
    • G07F17/3297Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
    • 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
    • A63F7/0058Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks electric
    • 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
    • A63F2007/308Means for detecting misuse or errors, e.g. giving audible or visible warning; Preventing misuse
    • A63F2007/3085Tilting
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2250/00Miscellaneous game characteristics
    • A63F2250/14Coin operated
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/00003Types of board games
    • A63F3/00094Ticktacktoe
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/06Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
    • A63F3/062Bingo games, e.g. Bingo card games

Definitions

  • Our invention relates generally to a coin-operated game and, in its described embodiment, to a free ball game of that general type commonly known as the S-in-line game.
  • the S-in-line game is one wherein balls or other objects are delivered to a playing surface to fall into pockets therein, the intention being to drop the balls into pockets which register on a scoring panel as being on a line.
  • the game is closely analogous in its scoring to Bingo and in the described embodiment is presented exactly like a Bingo board.
  • a pocket array consisting of a square of twenty-five numbered holes is provided on a table surface and a square showing a similar arrangement of numbers is shown on a scoring panel.
  • the balls are delivered to the table to drop into the pockets, the corresponding squares in the scoring board are illuminated and, upon the completion of a straight line of five filled holes or five lighted signals, a win is declared.
  • the free ball feature of the described embodiment refers to a game which is not wholly under glass as in the commonly known pin ball type games. As our game is described, the balls are delivered directly into the hands of the player for his personal and direct manipulation.
  • Our game includes a playing table which is approachable by a player from all sides thereof, so that, by the exercise of skill, a player may direct his ball substantially directly into any pocket Without substantial interference from multiple obstacles, balls already played or empty pockets.
  • Our invention likewise, contemplates the use of ball-receiving pockets in a playing table which are situated at different discrete levels, which imparts an element of difliculty and interest to the game.
  • the provision of different pocket levels is achieved by the use of certain portions of the pocket array forming pockets floors and carrying switches for other portions of the pocket array.
  • a free ball game imposes substantial problems in itself, in that complete enclosure of the playing table is not possible.
  • Technques may be devised to cheat the game, one of which may be guiding the balls from the open portion of the playing surface.
  • Another feature of our invention is the provision of a mechanism to prevent cheating of this sort.
  • Another method of cheating lies in the introduction of an extra ball into the I game from some outside source.
  • Our invention incorporates means for counting the number of balls played in the event of a recorded win and throwing the machine on TILT in the event that a ball not purchased is sensed in the playing surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective of a device embodying our invention
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the scoring board
  • FIG. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the device of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the underside of the cover of the device, taken substantially from the line 44 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 5 is a section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 6 is a section taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 10 is a partial plan section of the pocket array of my invention illustrating one of the flaps associated therewith and may be considered as being taken along theline 1010 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 11 is a view' similar to FIG. 10, showing, however, a modified form of flap; 7
  • FIG. 12 is a section taken substantially along the line 1212 of FIG. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the door-operating mechanism
  • FIG. 14 is atop plan view taken substantially along the line 14--14 of FIG. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 15 is a front elevation taken substantially from the line 1515 of FIG. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 16 is a section taken substantially along the line 16-16 of FIG. 14, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the door-operating mechanism shown, however, in a different relation of the parts;
  • FIG. 18 is an enlarged top plan view of the ball-release mechanism
  • FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the ball-release mechanism taken substantially from the line 1919 of FIG. 18, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 20 is a partial side elevation of the ball-release mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 19 showing, however, a different relation of the parts;
  • FIG. 21 is an enlarged side elevation of the shutter-operating mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 22 is a top plan View of the shutter-operating mechanism taken substantially from the line 22--22 of FIG. 21, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 23 is an enlarged elevation of the face of the scoring ball counter step-up unit as illustrated in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 24 is a side elevation of the scoring ball counter step-up unit as illustrated in FIG. 23 and may be regarded as being taken from the right-hand side of the unit as illustrated in FIG. 23;
  • FIG. 25 is an elevation of the back side of FIG. 23 and may be regarded as being taken from the line 2525 of FIG. 24, looking in the direction of the arrows;
  • FIG. 26 is a partial front elevation of the played ball counter step-up unit
  • FIG. 27 is an elevation of the face of the extra ball stepup unit as illustrated in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 28 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the extra ball step-up unit taken from the right side of the unit as illustrated in FIG. 27;
  • FIG. 29 is an enlarged elevation of the face of the scoring ball counter motor unit as illustrated in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 30 is a side elevation of the scoring ball counter unit, viewing the unit of FIG. 29 from the right side;
  • FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the extra ball motor assembly
  • FIG. 32 is a side elevation of one of the cams carried by the extra ball motor mechanism and is taken substan- Description
  • a machine incorporating our invention. It includes a boxlike base 35 mounted on legs 36 and having inside a playing table 37.
  • the playing table is surrounded by a rim 38 having a billiard-table type rail with rubber bumper strips 39 thereabout. It may have a pair of coin slots 40 and 41, one being for a new game and the other being for extra balls. It likewise includes an open ball delivery box 42 extending out from the front of the base.
  • the table has a playing line 43 marked on the table surface behind which balls are to be struck by a cue.
  • the portion of the table to the front of the playing line is open. Rearwardly of the playing line, however, the table is covered by an inclined transparent window 44 suitably supported in frame members 45.
  • a scoring square or pocket array 46 is situated toward the rear of the table under the window 44 and consists of twenty-five pockets 47.
  • a vertical transverse transparent baffle with billiard table rails at the bottom thereof 48 is situated immediately in front of the scoring square to prevent balls being shot directly into the scoring square and to force the players to bank the balls ofi the rails 39 to make a score.
  • Lights 59 are secured to the underside top of the frame member 61' to illuminate the pocket array 46.
  • the device includes a vertical box 49 standing up from the rear end ofthe machine and having the scoring face 50 thereon.
  • the scoring face includes a representation 51 of the square of pockets hereinafter referred to as the score. It likewise includes a tilt signal 52, a won game signal 53, and ball signals 54, indicating the number of balls used in the event that more than five balls are employed.
  • the pocket array or scoring square 46 consists of a square hole 55 formed in the surface of the playing table 37 and is surrounded by inwardly sloping surfaces 56 to direct the balls into the pockets 47.
  • Wooden flaps 57 are secured to the underside of the sloped portion 56 of the playing table to extend inwardly of the sloped surfaces 56.
  • the flaps 57 are rectangular members bevelled at a 45 angle at their inner corners as at 58. In the illustrated embodiment,
  • the flaps have three holes 60 therein constituting pockets 47 proportioned to pass a playing ball 62.
  • a semi-circular notch 64 is formed which, together with the next adjacent flap, constitutes the pocket 47.
  • FIG. 6 The attachment of the flaps to the playing table is best illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • Two spacers 66 are secured to the top side of the flaps adjacent the outer edge thereof and bores 68'are formed vertically through the flap and spacer.
  • a screw 7 0 having a shank substantially smaller than the bores 68 passes through the bores into the underside of the table 37.
  • a spring 72 is interposed between the head of screw 70 and the underside of the flap 57 to urge the flap 57 and spacer 72 against the underside of the playing table 37.
  • Each flap is secured at two points to the underside of the playing table parallel to the associated edge of the hole 55. The effect of this mounting is to permit the inner edge of the flap to swing downwardly under the weight of a ball.
  • a switch-actuating arm 74 is secured to the outer edge of the flap to extend outwardly therefrom.
  • flaps which together provide an inner frame for the scoring square and afford the sixteen peripheral pockets 47 for the square, the corner pockets being defined by the semi-circular notches 64 in adjoining flaps.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative, metal flap 76.
  • the flap 76 is identical with the formerly described flaps in plan.
  • the outer portion 78 of the fiaps which underlies the inclined surfaces 56 is horizontal.
  • the metal extends vertically upward as at 80 to the plane established by the surface 56 and then slopes inwardly and downwardly 82 in that same plane.
  • the flap terminates in a vertical downward extension 84.
  • the inwardly and downwardly sloping surface 82 has the three full holes 86 and the semi-circular notches 88 in the same form and position as in the first described form of flap.
  • the horizontal portion 78 is secured at its outer edge at two points 94 in pivotal relation to the underside of the playing table 37 through a spacer 96 attached to the underside of the playing table.
  • the attachment 94 permits pivotal movement of the flap.
  • the flap is also secured 98 adjacent the inner edge of the square hole 55 with the same loose-fitting screw 100 and spring 162 arrangement as in the first described form, whereby the flap may move up and down on the screws 100.
  • This modification likewise has a switch operating arm 104 extending outwardly therefrom.
  • a pair of mounting boards 186 are secured to the underside of the playing table 37 on either of the lateral sides of the scoring square 46 to extend vertically downward therefrom.
  • the boards are apertured as at 108 to permit the actuating switch arms 74 to make connection with the movable blade 110 of a switch 112 secured to the underside of table 37 outside the board 106.
  • the mounting boards have a pair of horizontal rails 114 spaced apart on the facing surfaces to define a guide for a movable shutter 116.
  • the shutter 116 is a square board having its side edges between the rails 114. Its edges underlie the sloping surface 56 and the exposed portion of the flaps 57 and it has a set of nine holes 118 in the center thereof.
  • the holes 118 in the shutter and holes 60, 64 in the flaps define the scoring square of twenty-five pockets 47.
  • the shutter has a normal playing position which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. This is that position which the shutter occupies during the time the player of the game is shooting balls into the scoring square.
  • the shutter has normally upstanding, switch-actuating points 120 mounted therein which are centered under the pockets 47 in the flaps 57 when the shutter is in its normal playing position.
  • the underside of the shutter has a plurality of normally open multiple circuit switches 122 adapted to be actuated by the points 128.
  • the point When a ball is lodged in one of the pockets 47 of the flaps 57, the point is depressed, thereby closing the circiuts through the switch 122.
  • the shutter has a bracket 124 secured to its forward edge.
  • An arm 126 is secured at one end to the bracket and at the other end to a crank disk 128.
  • a ball-retaining board 130 is secured by screws 132 bottom for the pockets 47 defined by the center holes to the bottom edges of the mounting boards 106.
  • ball-retaining board has normally upstanding switch points 132 situated centrally under the nine holes 118 in the center of the shutter.
  • switches 134- are secured to the underside of the ball-retaining board to be actuated upon depression of the points 132.
  • the ball-retaining board has a row of seven slots 138 oriented front to back and extending transversely across the back part thereof. The center five of these slots are aligned with the vertical or front to back rows of pockets 47. The forward end of these slots are generally vertically aligned with the holes 60* in the back flaps.
  • the ballretaining board has a series of three holes 140 in longitudinal alignment with the second and sixth slots 138 so as to be vertically aligned with the three full holes 60 formed in the side flaps 57 and another slot 142 in alignment with the holes or pockets formed by the semi-circular notches 64 in side flaps and the front flap.
  • the ball-retaining board has a series of two holes 144, and an elongated slot 146 in longitudinal alignment with the third, fourth and fifth slots 138.
  • the switches 1134 referred to above are situated in the bridges 148 between these holes and slots 168, 144, 146. It will thus be evident that the holes and slots 144, 146, will be out of register with the holes 1 18 in the shutter when the shutter is in its normal playing position and the bridges 148 will lie directly under the holes 11 8 as may be best seen in FIG. 8.
  • the slots 146 extend from their visible edge in the fourth row of holes forwardly (FIG. 8) to underlie the forward row of holes 68 in the front flap 57 and extend somewhat forwardly thereof.
  • the holes 61?, 64 in the flaps have bottoms supplied by the shutter 116 in playing position, and the playing holes 118 in the shutter have bottoms supplied by the ball-retaining board 1131).
  • the shutter carries the switches 122 which underlie the holes in the flaps 57 and the ball-retaining board 131? carries the switches 134 which underlie the playing holes 118 in the shutter.
  • a ball-release shutter motor drives the crank disk 128 through 360 which moves the shutter, by means of arm 126, forwardly in the tracks defined by the rails 11 4, so as to discharge balls from the scoring square, and then moves the shutter back again to playing position.
  • the holes 123 in the shutter are aligned with the forward four holes in the side shutters.
  • the holes 140 and the slots 142 are in permanent alignment with these pockets in the side flaps, and the balls thus may fall straight down through the ball-retaining board 1311.
  • the back edge of the shutter surface is the floor for the pockets 17 in the back flap.
  • Forward movement of the shutter draws the back edge of the shutter out from under the holes 61 in the flap.
  • Slots 138 are in permanent alignment with the holes 611 in the back flap. The balls in the back flap are permitted to fall through slots 13 8 in the ball-retaining board.
  • the bridges i148 normally constitute the 118 of the shutter. As the shutter, therefore, is drawn forward, the holes 118 move into alignment with the holes 144 and slots 1 46 in the ball-retaining board, and balls in the center nine pockets are thus permitted to fall through the ball-retaining board 136.
  • the front flap pockets 60 are in permanent alignment with slots 146. Balls in these pockets are discharged by moving the front three pockets of the shutter pockets 1118 into alignment with the front flap pockets 60.
  • the first and seventh slots of slots 138 are provided to accommodate balls that may get back of the shutter and in a corner by virtue of a tilting of the machine, etc.
  • the balls thus fall through the shutter and the ball-retaining board to the inclined floor board 148, sloping toward the front of the machine.
  • the ball-release shutter motor assembly 147 is best illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22.
  • a motor 149 is supported in a frame 151 which, in turn, is secured to the underside of the playing table 37.
  • the motor assembly includes a set of reducing gears 153 which drive an output shaft 155.
  • the output shaft extends through the frame 151 and has the crank disk 128 secured thereto.
  • the output shaft also extends out of the frame on the other side and has four cams 157, 159, 161 and 163 operating respectively the four switches 165, 167, 169, and 171. These cams and switches will be described later in conjunction with the electrical circuit.
  • a bracket 156 is secured to one side edge of the door, and a link 158 is rotatably connected at one end to the bracket 156, extends downwardly through the table 37 in a slot 161) in the edge of the table and is rotatably connected at its other end to a crank arm 1 62.
  • the door-operating mechanism is illustrated particularly in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
  • a door motor 164 is mounted by means of a frame :166 to the underside of the table 37.
  • the motor includes reduction gearing 163 and an output shaft 178 extending at one end through the frame 166.
  • a kidney-shaped cam 172 is secured on that end of the shaft 170 which extends out of the frame 166.
  • a stud 174 is secured to the frame remote from the shaft 170 to extend outward from the frame on the opposite side thereof from the motor 164.
  • the crank arm 162 is rotatably mounted on stud 174 to lie in a plane outside cam 172.
  • a second switch control arm 176 is likewise mounted for rotation on stud 174, spaced inside the crank arm 162 so as to ride against cam 172.
  • a second stud 178 extends outward from frame 1.66 below the two arms, and coil springs 181), 182 are connected at one end to the stud 178 and at the other end to each of the arms to urge the arms normally downwardly.
  • the switch control arm has an L-shaped member 184 secured to the face thereof, one arm of the member extending outwardly from the arm 176 and constituting a tongue 186.
  • the tongue 186 underlies the crank arm 162.
  • a second L- shaped member 188 is also secured to the face of arm 176 and extends upwardly above the arm; It terminates at its upper end in a bent over portion 190 also extending outwardly.
  • a normally closed switch 192 is secured to the crank arm 162 to rotate therewith.
  • the contacts 194 are situated on blades 196, 198, the upper 198 of which extends beyond the contacts to overlie at its end the bent over portion 1% of the L-shaped member 188.
  • the other end of shaft 178 also carries a Cam 1%.
  • the cam is circular and has a notch 198 in the periphery thereof.
  • a normally open switch 280 has a cam follower 282 which lies in the notch 198 at index position of the shaft 170.
  • a second switch 284 has a cam follower 206 riding elsewhere on the periphery of the cam 196 so as to be closed at index but opening momentarily in a cycle of the cam 196.
  • the anticheat door mechanism operates as follows: When a ball is struck to the scoring end of the table and falls on one of the flaps 57, the flap switch 112 is closed, which energizes the door motor 164 to drive shaft 170 through a full cycle. At this point, the door 150 is open as illustrated in the full lines in FIG. 13 to permit the balls to pass thereunder.
  • the high side of cam 172 is hearing against arm 156 and the tongue 186 engages crank arm 162 to hold it in a position parallel with arm 156.
  • cam 172 rotates to permit arm 176 to fall under the influence of spring 182. Arm 162 follows arm 176 by virtue of its bearing against tongue 186. Since the arms move together, and since switch 192 is normally held open by the bent over portion 190 of L- shaped member 188, the switch will be held open through the full cycle of movement as illustrated in FIG. 13.
  • the cam 172 continues its full cycle to the dotted line position of FIG. 13 and raises both arms back to the starting position of the full lines.
  • Extra Ball Mechanism when the shutter is operated to release the balls for a new game, they fall onto the inclined fioor board 148 which slopes toward the front of the machine.
  • a sloping wall 208 is mounted on the floor board to direct the balls into the entry end 210 of a ball trough 212.
  • the ball trough is formed by two rails 214, 215, spaced a balls Width apart on the floor 217 of the base 35, and by two strips spaced apart and secured to rails 214, 215, defining centrally slotted trough fioor 216.
  • the trough slopes downwardly from its entry end 210 to its exit end 218 and leads to a forwardly sloping passageway 220 leading to the open, ball delivery box 42.
  • a third rail 222 is also secured to the floor 217 of the base on the opposite side of rail 215.
  • Rails 215 and 222 support three solenoid-operated ballrelease fingers 224, 226 and 228.
  • FIGS. l8, l9 and 20 illustrate the first ball-release mechanism 224.
  • This mechanism includes a base plate 230 secured at its ends to rails 215 and 222.
  • a solenoid 232 is secured to the rear of the plate 230 and an armature 234 extends forwardly therefrom.
  • the armature has an arm 236 pivotally secured thereto by pin 238 for movement in a vertical plane.
  • the finger 240 proper may be considered as being about a 60 segment of a disk having a point 242 extending from the lower straight edge thereof and following the circular periphery of the disk. To be possibly more descriptive, it resembles a bent finger, wherein the tip of the finger, represented by the point 242, is movable down into the ball trough to block passage of the balls and out of the trough to permit the balls to run past.
  • the finger 241i is mounted vertically at the center of curvature thereof to a bracket 244 for pivotal movement.
  • the bracket 244 is, in turn, secured to the forward edge of the base plate 230.
  • the free end of arm 236 is secured by bolt 246 above the point of pivotal attachment of the finger to the bracket 244.
  • the finger has a switch-operating shaft 248 extending laterally therefrom.
  • a normally open switch 250 is secured to the base plate 230 beside the finger and has a switch blade 252 extending up into the path of movement of the shaft 248.
  • FIGS. 19 and 20 The movement of the finger is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.
  • the solenoid 232 When the finger is in ball-blocking position (FIG. 19), the solenoid 232 is de-energized.
  • the finger tip 242 extends down into the trough to bar the passage of the balls and the shaft 248 is removed from switch blade 252 so that the contacts 254 of the switch stand open.
  • Energization of the solenoid retracts the finger to ball-releasing position as illustrated in FIG. 20 and the shaft 248 is brought to bear against the switch blade 252 to close switch 250.
  • the second ball release 226 is constructed in identical fashion with the first ball release 224 and the third ball release 228 is likewise similar except that it lacks the switch and switch-operating shaft of the first ball release 224.
  • the second ball-release switch is identified by 256.
  • a normally open switch 258 is secured to the underside of the trough fioor 216.
  • Switch 258 has a switch-operating finger 260 extending up in the slot 262 in the trough floor defined by the two spaced strips which constitute the trough fioor.
  • finger 260 occupies a position to be depressed by the fifth ball to close switch 258.
  • a second, normally open switch 264 is also secured to the underside of the trough floor and has a finger 266 extending up through the slot in the fioor positioned to be depressed to switch-closing position by the eighth ball.
  • FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 illustrate the scoring ball step-up unit 268. It includes a support 281 secured to brackets 278 which, in turn, is secured to the underside of table 37 by screws 276. A face 270 is secured to the support 289 in spaced relation therefrom. by brackets 282. The face has, in the illustrated embodiment, ten terminals 272, numbered 0 through 9 mounted in an arc thereon. At the center of the are a conducting contact finger 274 is mounted on a shaft 284 which extends through the support 280, and a ratchet wheel 286 is secured to the shaft 284 on the other side of the support 280.
  • a return spring 288 is wrapped around the shaft 284 and secured thereto at one end and anchored at its other end to a pin 290 secured to the support to stand outward therefrom. The tendency of the spring is to rotate the finger 274 in a clockwise direction or toward the zero terminal as illustrated in FIG. 23.
  • the ratchet wheel has a switch-operating stud 292 secured thereto.
  • Switch 294 is secured to the support 280.
  • Switch 294 has a long central blade 296 extending into the path of movement of stud 292.
  • Blade 296 is normally biased to make contact with the lower blade 298 of the switch.
  • finger 274 occupies its illustrated position ('FIG. 23) on the Zero terminal stud 292 carries switch blade 296 away from blade 293 and into contact with the upper blade 380.
  • Blade 296 likewise constitutes a stop for return movement of the ratchet wheel under the infiuence of return spring 283.
  • a step-up coil 302 is also secured to support 280 and has a notched armature 384.
  • An arm 306 is pivotally secured to support 280 as at 303.
  • One end 310 of the arm is engaged in the notch in the armature 304.
  • the other end has a ratchet-operating finger 314 pivotally secured thereto by rivet 312 which bears against the periphery of the ratchet wheel 286.
  • the operating ratchet finger also includes an extension 316 continuing out beyond the operating end of the finger but spaced away from the ratchet wheel 286.
  • a ratchet holding finger 318 is pivotally secured to pin 290 and likewise bears against

Description

July 17, 1962 J. E. BECK ETAL COIN-OPERATED GAME 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1958 luv/anions?" "32 33 Q 271 Z S WQ W LE m mm M M W July 17, 1962 BECK ETAL 3,044,778
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COIN-OPERATED GAME Filed April 9, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 J28 J J55 B flab/2'72 ,Bznks I a 431.4044 WM July 17, 1962 J. E. BECK ETAL 3,044,778
COIN-OPERATED GAME Filed April 9, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 In 2/6 72 ions: d/oagpk E eck Auk- 0 July 17, 1962 J. E. BECK ETAL 3,044,778
COIN-OPERATED GAME Filed April 9, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet 13 July 17, 1962 J. E. BECK ETAL 3,044,778
COIN-OPERATED GAME Filed April 9, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet 14 j MXQ Z Z/Z'n $132k? M Y W United States Patent F 3,044,778 COIN-OPERATED GAME Joseph E. Beck, Mitchell Novelty Co., 3506 W. Na-
tional Ave, Milwaukee 4, Wis., and Melvin Binks, 3859 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Filed Apr. 9, 1958, Ser. No. 727,407 16 tllairns. (Cl. 273-125) Our invention relates generally to a coin-operated game and, in its described embodiment, to a free ball game of that general type commonly known as the S-in-line game.
The S-in-line game is one wherein balls or other objects are delivered to a playing surface to fall into pockets therein, the intention being to drop the balls into pockets which register on a scoring panel as being on a line. The game is closely analogous in its scoring to Bingo and in the described embodiment is presented exactly like a Bingo board. A pocket array consisting of a square of twenty-five numbered holes is provided on a table surface and a square showing a similar arrangement of numbers is shown on a scoring panel. As the balls are delivered to the table to drop into the pockets, the corresponding squares in the scoring board are illuminated and, upon the completion of a straight line of five filled holes or five lighted signals, a win is declared. Although we have described our invention in terms of a game of this character, it will be apparent that there need be no necessary correlation between the pocket array and the arrangement of the scoring panel, that the pockets need not be set up in the form of asquare, that any arbitrary series of scoring lines can be established and that it is not essential that five aligned signals be established to constitute the win. Balls may be dropped, for instance, in three holes to register a predetermined alignment of three scoring squares to constitute a win.
The free ball feature of the described embodiment refers to a game which is not wholly under glass as in the commonly known pin ball type games. As our game is described, the balls are delivered directly into the hands of the player for his personal and direct manipulation.
Our invention, as will be evident from the described embodiment, has several features which as far as we know are significantly novel, inventive and useful in the art, and the attainment of these features may be regarded as the object of our invention.
Our game includes a playing table which is approachable by a player from all sides thereof, so that, by the exercise of skill, a player may direct his ball substantially directly into any pocket Without substantial interference from multiple obstacles, balls already played or empty pockets. Our invention, likewise, contemplates the use of ball-receiving pockets in a playing table which are situated at different discrete levels, which imparts an element of difliculty and interest to the game. The provision of different pocket levelsis achieved by the use of certain portions of the pocket array forming pockets floors and carrying switches for other portions of the pocket array.
A free ball game imposes substantial problems in itself, in that complete enclosure of the playing table is not possible. Technques may be devised to cheat the game, one of which may be guiding the balls from the open portion of the playing surface. Another feature of our invention, therefore, is the provision of a mechanism to prevent cheating of this sort. Another method of cheating lies in the introduction of an extra ball into the I game from some outside source. Our invention incorporates means for counting the number of balls played in the event of a recorded win and throwing the machine on TILT in the event that a ball not purchased is sensed in the playing surface.
It will often occur that a player having used his five 3,044,778 Patented July 17, 1962 balls, for instance, which he gets'on his initial deposit of a coin, will have completed a scoring line, but forone pocket. Our game incorporates a provision whereby other balls may be purchased individually so as to give the player an opportunity to complete the line. Our mechanism for achieving both the initial quantity purchase of balls and the subsequent individual purchase of balls is a feature unknown in the art, so far as we are aware. As a still further feature of novelty, this mechanism is integrated with the mechanism which can detect the existence of introduced balls so that, whenever the number of balls present in the pocket array exceeds the number of balls purchased, the win will be thrown out and the game go on TILT.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective of a device embodying our invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the scoring board;
FIG. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the underside of the cover of the device, taken substantially from the line 44 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 5 is a section taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 6 is a section taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 10 is a partial plan section of the pocket array of my invention illustrating one of the flaps associated therewith and may be considered as being taken along theline 1010 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows; FIG. 11 is a view' similar to FIG. 10, showing, however, a modified form of flap; 7
FIG. 12 is a section taken substantially along the line 1212 of FIG. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the door-operating mechanism;
FIG. 14 is atop plan view taken substantially along the line 14--14 of FIG. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 15 is a front elevation taken substantially from the line 1515 of FIG. 13 looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 16 is a section taken substantially along the line 16-16 of FIG. 14, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the door-operating mechanism shown, however, in a different relation of the parts;
FIG. 18 is an enlarged top plan view of the ball-release mechanism;
FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the ball-release mechanism taken substantially from the line 1919 of FIG. 18, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 20 is a partial side elevation of the ball-release mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 19 showing, however, a different relation of the parts;
FIG. 21 is an enlarged side elevation of the shutter-operating mechanism as illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 22 is a top plan View of the shutter-operating mechanism taken substantially from the line 22--22 of FIG. 21, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 23 is an enlarged elevation of the face of the scoring ball counter step-up unit as illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 24 is a side elevation of the scoring ball counter step-up unit as illustrated in FIG. 23 and may be regarded as being taken from the right-hand side of the unit as illustrated in FIG. 23;
FIG. 25 is an elevation of the back side of FIG. 23 and may be regarded as being taken from the line 2525 of FIG. 24, looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 26 is a partial front elevation of the played ball counter step-up unit;
FIG. 27 is an elevation of the face of the extra ball stepup unit as illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 28 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the extra ball step-up unit taken from the right side of the unit as illustrated in FIG. 27;
FIG. 29 is an enlarged elevation of the face of the scoring ball counter motor unit as illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 30 is a side elevation of the scoring ball counter unit, viewing the unit of FIG. 29 from the right side;
FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the extra ball motor assembly;
FIG. 32 is a side elevation of one of the cams carried by the extra ball motor mechanism and is taken substan- Description In FIG. 1 is illustrated a machine incorporating our invention. It includes a boxlike base 35 mounted on legs 36 and having inside a playing table 37. The playing table is surrounded by a rim 38 having a billiard-table type rail with rubber bumper strips 39 thereabout. It may have a pair of coin slots 40 and 41, one being for a new game and the other being for extra balls. It likewise includes an open ball delivery box 42 extending out from the front of the base. The table has a playing line 43 marked on the table surface behind which balls are to be struck by a cue.
The portion of the table to the front of the playing line is open. Rearwardly of the playing line, however, the table is covered by an inclined transparent window 44 suitably supported in frame members 45. A scoring square or pocket array 46 is situated toward the rear of the table under the window 44 and consists of twenty-five pockets 47. A vertical transverse transparent baffle with billiard table rails at the bottom thereof 48 is situated immediately in front of the scoring square to prevent balls being shot directly into the scoring square and to force the players to bank the balls ofi the rails 39 to make a score.
Lights 59 are secured to the underside top of the frame member 61' to illuminate the pocket array 46.
The device includes a vertical box 49 standing up from the rear end ofthe machine and having the scoring face 50 thereon. The scoring face includes a representation 51 of the square of pockets hereinafter referred to as the score. It likewise includes a tilt signal 52, a won game signal 53, and ball signals 54, indicating the number of balls used in the event that more than five balls are employed.
Pocket Array Referring particularly to FIGS. 312, the pocket array or scoring square 46 consists of a square hole 55 formed in the surface of the playing table 37 and is surrounded by inwardly sloping surfaces 56 to direct the balls into the pockets 47. Wooden flaps 57 are secured to the underside of the sloped portion 56 of the playing table to extend inwardly of the sloped surfaces 56. The flaps 57 are rectangular members bevelled at a 45 angle at their inner corners as at 58. In the illustrated embodiment,
the flaps have three holes 60 therein constituting pockets 47 proportioned to pass a playing ball 62. On the bevelled edges, a semi-circular notch 64 is formed which, together with the next adjacent flap, constitutes the pocket 47.
The attachment of the flaps to the playing table is best illustrated in FIG. 6. Two spacers 66 are secured to the top side of the flaps adjacent the outer edge thereof and bores 68'are formed vertically through the flap and spacer. A screw 7 0 having a shank substantially smaller than the bores 68 passes through the bores into the underside of the table 37. A spring 72 is interposed between the head of screw 70 and the underside of the flap 57 to urge the flap 57 and spacer 72 against the underside of the playing table 37. Each flap is secured at two points to the underside of the playing table parallel to the associated edge of the hole 55. The effect of this mounting is to permit the inner edge of the flap to swing downwardly under the weight of a ball.
A switch-actuating arm 74 is secured to the outer edge of the flap to extend outwardly therefrom.
Four flaps are employed which together provide an inner frame for the scoring square and afford the sixteen peripheral pockets 47 for the square, the corner pockets being defined by the semi-circular notches 64 in adjoining flaps.
FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative, metal flap 76. In this case, the flap 76 is identical with the formerly described flaps in plan. In section, the outer portion 78 of the fiaps which underlies the inclined surfaces 56 is horizontal. On the line where the flap emerges inwardly from the surface 56, the metal extends vertically upward as at 80 to the plane established by the surface 56 and then slopes inwardly and downwardly 82 in that same plane. The flap terminates in a vertical downward extension 84. The inwardly and downwardly sloping surface 82 has the three full holes 86 and the semi-circular notches 88 in the same form and position as in the first described form of flap.
Since the metal flap lacks thickness, we provide L- shaped members 99 secured to the horizontal portion 78 of the flap and extending downward at their inner ends 92 to provide a back for the pocket to hold the ball exactly centered in the pocket.
In this modification, the horizontal portion 78 is secured at its outer edge at two points 94 in pivotal relation to the underside of the playing table 37 through a spacer 96 attached to the underside of the playing table. The attachment 94 permits pivotal movement of the flap. The flap is also secured 98 adjacent the inner edge of the square hole 55 with the same loose-fitting screw 100 and spring 162 arrangement as in the first described form, whereby the flap may move up and down on the screws 100. This modification likewise has a switch operating arm 104 extending outwardly therefrom.
A pair of mounting boards 186 are secured to the underside of the playing table 37 on either of the lateral sides of the scoring square 46 to extend vertically downward therefrom. The boards are apertured as at 108 to permit the actuating switch arms 74 to make connection with the movable blade 110 of a switch 112 secured to the underside of table 37 outside the board 106. The mounting boards have a pair of horizontal rails 114 spaced apart on the facing surfaces to define a guide for a movable shutter 116.
The shutter 116 is a square board having its side edges between the rails 114. Its edges underlie the sloping surface 56 and the exposed portion of the flaps 57 and it has a set of nine holes 118 in the center thereof. The holes 118 in the shutter and holes 60, 64 in the flaps define the scoring square of twenty-five pockets 47.
The shutter has a normal playing position which is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. This is that position which the shutter occupies during the time the player of the game is shooting balls into the scoring square.
The shutter has normally upstanding, switch-actuating points 120 mounted therein which are centered under the pockets 47 in the flaps 57 when the shutter is in its normal playing position. The underside of the shutter has a plurality of normally open multiple circuit switches 122 adapted to be actuated by the points 128. When a ball is lodged in one of the pockets 47 of the flaps 57, the point is depressed, thereby closing the circiuts through the switch 122. Between the five switch points 120 which underlie the lateral pockets 47 and the side flaps 57 are four holes 123 larger than the playing balls. The shutter has a bracket 124 secured to its forward edge. An arm 126 is secured at one end to the bracket and at the other end to a crank disk 128.
A ball-retaining board 130 is secured by screws 132 bottom for the pockets 47 defined by the center holes to the bottom edges of the mounting boards 106. The
ball-retaining board has normally upstanding switch points 132 situated centrally under the nine holes 118 in the center of the shutter. Here again, multiple switches 134- are secured to the underside of the ball-retaining board to be actuated upon depression of the points 132.
The ball-retaining board has a row of seven slots 138 oriented front to back and extending transversely across the back part thereof. The center five of these slots are aligned with the vertical or front to back rows of pockets 47. The forward end of these slots are generally vertically aligned with the holes 60* in the back flaps. Progressing forwardly from the row of the seven slots 138, the ballretaining board has a series of three holes 140 in longitudinal alignment with the second and sixth slots 138 so as to be vertically aligned with the three full holes 60 formed in the side flaps 57 and another slot 142 in alignment with the holes or pockets formed by the semi-circular notches 64 in side flaps and the front flap.
Again progressing to the front from the row of slots 138, the ball-retaining board has a series of two holes 144, and an elongated slot 146 in longitudinal alignment with the third, fourth and fifth slots 138. The switches 1134 referred to above are situated in the bridges 148 between these holes and slots 168, 144, 146. It will thus be evident that the holes and slots 144, 146, will be out of register with the holes 1 18 in the shutter when the shutter is in its normal playing position and the bridges 148 will lie directly under the holes 11 8 as may be best seen in FIG. 8. The slots 146 extend from their visible edge in the fourth row of holes forwardly (FIG. 8) to underlie the forward row of holes 68 in the front flap 57 and extend somewhat forwardly thereof.
To restate this arrangement of holes whereby the pockets 47' are defined, the holes 61?, 64 in the flaps have bottoms supplied by the shutter 116 in playing position, and the playing holes 118 in the shutter have bottoms supplied by the ball-retaining board 1131). The shutter carries the switches 122 which underlie the holes in the flaps 57 and the ball-retaining board 131? carries the switches 134 which underlie the playing holes 118 in the shutter. As will be subsequently brought out, when a cycle of operation of the machine is started, a ball-release shutter motor drives the crank disk 128 through 360 which moves the shutter, by means of arm 126, forwardly in the tracks defined by the rails 11 4, so as to discharge balls from the scoring square, and then moves the shutter back again to playing position.
During the course of forward movement of the shutter the holes 123 in the shutter are aligned with the forward four holes in the side shutters. The holes 140 and the slots 142 are in permanent alignment with these pockets in the side flaps, and the balls thus may fall straight down through the ball-retaining board 1311. The back edge of the shutter surface is the floor for the pockets 17 in the back flap. Forward movement of the shutter draws the back edge of the shutter out from under the holes 61 in the flap. Slots 138 are in permanent alignment with the holes 611 in the back flap. The balls in the back flap are permitted to fall through slots 13 8 in the ball-retaining board.
As stated, the bridges i148 normally constitute the 118 of the shutter. As the shutter, therefore, is drawn forward, the holes 118 move into alignment with the holes 144 and slots 1 46 in the ball-retaining board, and balls in the center nine pockets are thus permitted to fall through the ball-retaining board 136.
The front flap pockets 60 are in permanent alignment with slots 146. Balls in these pockets are discharged by moving the front three pockets of the shutter pockets 1118 into alignment with the front flap pockets 60. The first and seventh slots of slots 138 are provided to accommodate balls that may get back of the shutter and in a corner by virtue of a tilting of the machine, etc.
The balls thus fall through the shutter and the ball-retaining board to the inclined floor board 148, sloping toward the front of the machine.
The ball-release shutter motor assembly 147 is best illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. A motor 149 is supported in a frame 151 which, in turn, is secured to the underside of the playing table 37. The motor assembly includes a set of reducing gears 153 which drive an output shaft 155. The output shaft extends through the frame 151 and has the crank disk 128 secured thereto. The output shaft also extends out of the frame on the other side and has four cams 157, 159, 161 and 163 operating respectively the four switches 165, 167, 169, and 171. These cams and switches will be described later in conjunction with the electrical circuit.
Anti-Cheat Door tween the frame members 45 and, when situated vertical- 1y, to miss narrowly the surface of the table 37. A bracket 156 is secured to one side edge of the door, and a link 158 is rotatably connected at one end to the bracket 156, extends downwardly through the table 37 in a slot 161) in the edge of the table and is rotatably connected at its other end to a crank arm 1 62.
The door-operating mechanism is illustrated particularly in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. A door motor 164 is mounted by means of a frame :166 to the underside of the table 37. The motor includes reduction gearing 163 and an output shaft 178 extending at one end through the frame 166. On that end of the shaft 170 which extends out of the frame 166, a kidney-shaped cam 172 is secured.
A stud 174 is secured to the frame remote from the shaft 170 to extend outward from the frame on the opposite side thereof from the motor 164. The crank arm 162 is rotatably mounted on stud 174 to lie in a plane outside cam 172. A second switch control arm 176, very like the crank arm 162 in configuration, is likewise mounted for rotation on stud 174, spaced inside the crank arm 162 so as to ride against cam 172. A second stud 178 extends outward from frame 1.66 below the two arms, and coil springs 181), 182 are connected at one end to the stud 178 and at the other end to each of the arms to urge the arms normally downwardly.
The switch control arm has an L-shaped member 184 secured to the face thereof, one arm of the member extending outwardly from the arm 176 and constituting a tongue 186. The tongue 186 underlies the crank arm 162. A second L- shaped member 188 is also secured to the face of arm 176 and extends upwardly above the arm; It terminates at its upper end in a bent over portion 190 also extending outwardly.
A normally closed switch 192 is secured to the crank arm 162 to rotate therewith. The contacts 194 are situated on blades 196, 198, the upper 198 of which extends beyond the contacts to overlie at its end the bent over portion 1% of the L-shaped member 188.
The other end of shaft 178 also carries a Cam 1%. The cam is circular and has a notch 198 in the periphery thereof. A normally open switch 280 has a cam follower 282 which lies in the notch 198 at index position of the shaft 170. A second switch 284 has a cam follower 206 riding elsewhere on the periphery of the cam 196 so as to be closed at index but opening momentarily in a cycle of the cam 196.
The anticheat door mechanism operates as follows: When a ball is struck to the scoring end of the table and falls on one of the flaps 57, the flap switch 112 is closed, which energizes the door motor 164 to drive shaft 170 through a full cycle. At this point, the door 150 is open as illustrated in the full lines in FIG. 13 to permit the balls to pass thereunder. The high side of cam 172 is hearing against arm 156 and the tongue 186 engages crank arm 162 to hold it in a position parallel with arm 156. When the motor starts, cam 172 rotates to permit arm 176 to fall under the influence of spring 182. Arm 162 follows arm 176 by virtue of its bearing against tongue 186. Since the arms move together, and since switch 192 is normally held open by the bent over portion 190 of L- shaped member 188, the switch will be held open through the full cycle of movement as illustrated in FIG. 13.
The cam 172 continues its full cycle to the dotted line position of FIG. 13 and raises both arms back to the starting position of the full lines.
Should a player, however, attempt to guide the ball with his cue 207 by sliding it under the door 150 as illustrated in FIG. 17, the ball depressing the flap 57 will energize the motor 164 as before and rotate the cam 172. The cue, however, extending under the door 150 as shown in FIG. 17, will hold the door 150 open and prevent arm 162 from following arm 176. Under this circumstance, the bent over portion 196 of L-shaped member 188 drops away from its position against switch blade 198 and permits the contacts 194 to close. Closure of these contacts will register a TILT on the machine and the game will be discontinued as will be subsequently described when the wiring diagram is discussed.
Extra Ball Mechanism Referring particularly to FIGS. 5, 7, 18, 19 and 20 as stated above, when the shutter is operated to release the balls for a new game, they fall onto the inclined fioor board 148 which slopes toward the front of the machine. A sloping wall 208 is mounted on the floor board to direct the balls into the entry end 210 of a ball trough 212. The ball trough is formed by two rails 214, 215, spaced a balls Width apart on the floor 217 of the base 35, and by two strips spaced apart and secured to rails 214, 215, defining centrally slotted trough fioor 216. The trough slopes downwardly from its entry end 210 to its exit end 218 and leads to a forwardly sloping passageway 220 leading to the open, ball delivery box 42.
A third rail 222 is also secured to the floor 217 of the base on the opposite side of rail 215. Rails 215 and 222 support three solenoid-operated ballrelease fingers 224, 226 and 228.
FIGS. l8, l9 and 20 illustrate the first ball-release mechanism 224. This mechanism includes a base plate 230 secured at its ends to rails 215 and 222. A solenoid 232 is secured to the rear of the plate 230 and an armature 234 extends forwardly therefrom. The armature has an arm 236 pivotally secured thereto by pin 238 for movement in a vertical plane.
The finger 240 proper may be considered as being about a 60 segment of a disk having a point 242 extending from the lower straight edge thereof and following the circular periphery of the disk. To be possibly more descriptive, it resembles a bent finger, wherein the tip of the finger, represented by the point 242, is movable down into the ball trough to block passage of the balls and out of the trough to permit the balls to run past. The finger 241i is mounted vertically at the center of curvature thereof to a bracket 244 for pivotal movement. The bracket 244 is, in turn, secured to the forward edge of the base plate 230. The free end of arm 236 is secured by bolt 246 above the point of pivotal attachment of the finger to the bracket 244. The finger has a switch-operating shaft 248 extending laterally therefrom.
A normally open switch 250 is secured to the base plate 230 beside the finger and has a switch blade 252 extending up into the path of movement of the shaft 248.
The movement of the finger is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. When the finger is in ball-blocking position (FIG. 19), the solenoid 232 is de-energized. The finger tip 242 extends down into the trough to bar the passage of the balls and the shaft 248 is removed from switch blade 252 so that the contacts 254 of the switch stand open. Energization of the solenoid retracts the finger to ball-releasing position as illustrated in FIG. 20 and the shaft 248 is brought to bear against the switch blade 252 to close switch 250.
The second ball release 226 is constructed in identical fashion with the first ball release 224 and the third ball release 228 is likewise similar except that it lacks the switch and switch-operating shaft of the first ball release 224. The second ball-release switch is identified by 256.
In the illustrated embodiment of our game, eight balls will be employed. A normally open switch 258 is secured to the underside of the trough fioor 216. Switch 258 has a switch-operating finger 260 extending up in the slot 262 in the trough floor defined by the two spaced strips which constitute the trough fioor. As the eight balls line up in the ball trough 210 behind the first ball-release finger 240 (FIG. 7), finger 260 occupies a position to be depressed by the fifth ball to close switch 258. A second, normally open switch 264 is also secured to the underside of the trough floor and has a finger 266 extending up through the slot in the fioor positioned to be depressed to switch-closing position by the eighth ball.
FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 illustrate the scoring ball step-up unit 268. It includes a support 281 secured to brackets 278 which, in turn, is secured to the underside of table 37 by screws 276. A face 270 is secured to the support 289 in spaced relation therefrom. by brackets 282. The face has, in the illustrated embodiment, ten terminals 272, numbered 0 through 9 mounted in an arc thereon. At the center of the are a conducting contact finger 274 is mounted on a shaft 284 which extends through the support 280, and a ratchet wheel 286 is secured to the shaft 284 on the other side of the support 280. A return spring 288 is wrapped around the shaft 284 and secured thereto at one end and anchored at its other end to a pin 290 secured to the support to stand outward therefrom. The tendency of the spring is to rotate the finger 274 in a clockwise direction or toward the zero terminal as illustrated in FIG. 23. The ratchet wheel has a switch-operating stud 292 secured thereto.
A two-way switch 294 is secured to the support 280. Switch 294 has a long central blade 296 extending into the path of movement of stud 292. Blade 296 is normally biased to make contact with the lower blade 298 of the switch. However, when finger 274 occupies its illustrated position ('FIG. 23) on the Zero terminal, stud 292 carries switch blade 296 away from blade 293 and into contact with the upper blade 380. Blade 296 likewise constitutes a stop for return movement of the ratchet wheel under the infiuence of return spring 283.
A step-up coil 302 is also secured to support 280 and has a notched armature 384. An arm 306 is pivotally secured to support 280 as at 303. One end 310 of the arm is engaged in the notch in the armature 304. The other end has a ratchet-operating finger 314 pivotally secured thereto by rivet 312 which bears against the periphery of the ratchet wheel 286. The operating ratchet finger also includes an extension 316 continuing out beyond the operating end of the finger but spaced away from the ratchet wheel 286. A ratchet holding finger 318 is pivotally secured to pin 290 and likewise bears against
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US3778062A (en) * 1971-12-30 1973-12-11 Kae Tee Dev Corp Game apparatus
US4017085A (en) * 1976-02-27 1977-04-12 Charles Stephen Maxwell Golf game
DE3104317A1 (en) * 1981-02-07 1982-09-23 Paul 4992 Espelkamp Gauselmann Coin-operated gambling machine for games of skill
US4805917A (en) * 1987-08-13 1989-02-21 Pop-A-Shot, Inc. Basketball game
US5014988A (en) * 1989-12-15 1991-05-14 Sms Manufacturing Corporation Poker roll game
DE4112304A1 (en) * 1991-04-15 1992-10-22 Nsm Ag PLAYER
WO1998007483A2 (en) * 1996-08-16 1998-02-26 Showcase Projects Limited Game-playing apparatus
WO1998007483A3 (en) * 1996-08-16 1998-03-26 Showcase Projects Limited Game-playing apparatus
US9782648B2 (en) 2014-04-25 2017-10-10 Christopher DeCarlo Athletic training, data collection, dynamic, and personified sporting method, apparatus, system, and computer program product

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