US3464693A - Toy bank - Google Patents

Description

p 1969 R. B. BAILEY 3,464,693

TOY BANK Filed March 16. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ravine-1:5

p 1969 R. B. BAILEY 3,464,693

TOY BANK Filed March 16. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 flaw/yep 15? 3/7/10 Jay/4;, I

p 59 B. BAILEY 3,464,693

TOY BANK Filed March 16, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 A 777? vii:

United States Fatent O 3,464,693 TDY BANK Richard B. Bailey, 9333 Sophia St., Sepulveda, Calif. 9134-3 Filed Mar. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 534,856 Int. Cl. A631? 9/00; A63b 67/00 US. Cl. 2731 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a toy bank and more specifically to a personal savings bank which incorporates a fascinating game structure that is entertaining and thereby provides an incentive for saving coins.

A wide variety of small personal savings banks have been previously proposed and are in widespread use for containing a gradual accumulation of saved coins that is periodically removed to provide a substantial sum of money. Some savings banks as previously proposed have incorporated features to provide some entertainment to the saver upon depositing a coin. However, in general, such prior devices have been effectively entertaining for only a short period of time after which the apparatus becomes tiresome. Therefore, a need exists for a savings bank which has enduring entertainment capability that provides an incentive to deposit coins therein.

By requiring an element of skill to control moving parts, a device of enduring entertainment can sometimes be provided. One problem in providing such a structure in a personal savings bank, is the usual high cost of manufacturing mechanisms with moving members and with control, of sufficient sophistication to afford any enduring entertainment capability. Therefore, a need exists for an inexpensive structure that can be economically manufactured and that has enduring entertainment capability derived from exercising skill in the control of moving members in association with a savings bank.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved personal savings bank which affords entertainment on depositing a coin, and which therefore provides an incentive to deposit coins and thereby accumulate savings.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a savings bank structure having means to impart motion to a plurality of moving parts and further including means to control the moving parts whereby the user may test his skill to accomplish a predetermined control objective.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an economical and entertaining bank structure incorporataing spinning reels, which may be placed in motion upon depositing a coin, and which may thereafter be stopped by a manual control with the objective of accomplishing a predetermined alignment of the reels.

One further object of the present invention is to provide an improved savings bank structure of economical construction, wherein upon depositing a coin the user is presented with an entertaining control operation of coordina tion, which, if successfully performed will afford him additional opportunities to repeat the operation by returning coins for replay.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front plan view of the structure of FIGURE 1 with the external cover removed from the apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of the structure of FIGURE 3 showing the operating parts in another state;

FIGURE 5 is a rear plan view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1, with the external cover removed;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 6a is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the structure shown in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 7 is a Iview taken along line 7--7 of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of FIGURE 8;

Referring initially to FIGURE 1, the unit is shown to provide a coin receptacle 10 which receives coins, deposit of which releases a lock to permit a handle 12 to be drawn forward through a power stroke, and returned through a timing stroke. The forward power stroke of the handle spins a set 14 of three reels, in free motion whereby the indicia 16 thereon pass in sequence under windows 18. As the reels are spinning, the objective is to release the handle 12 in coordinated movement with the reels 14 so as to stop a Winning combination of indicia 16 within the windows 18. More specifically, as the handle 12v is permitted to return to its quiescent position, a stage is reached at which the first reel is stopped. Further release of the handle 12 stops the second of the reels 16 and finally the third reel is similarly stopped. Thus by observing the spinning reels and the indicia thereon and skillfully releasing the handle 12 in coordination with the reels, various desired winning combinations can be stopped in the windows 18. Upon accomplishment of a winning combination, the bank returns coins to the depositor through a cup 20 which may be used for replay. It is to be noted that the windows 18 are open and expose the reels so that a winning combination can be set manually if desired to withdraw coins.

The fascination of the bank appears to result somewhat upon the simulation of a gambling machine which fascination is somewhat piqued by providing the depositor with the challenge of controlling the actual stopping loca tion of the reels 16 to accomplish winning combinations. Some forms of related structures have been proposed in the past; however, it is important to emphasize in relation to the structure hereof that the apparatus is sufficiently economical to manufacture as to provide the unit in an inexpensive form. Of course, the structure as provided is not suited for use as an actual gambling device, as the term is interpreted, however, it is very effective for the intended purpose of a personal coin savings bank providing entertainment and incentive to the owning depositor.

Considering the structure of the illustrative embodiment in greater detail, the unit is enclosed by a back housing 22 and a front cover 24 both of which may be of molded plastic. These members may be clamped or otherwise affixed together over the internal mechanism as by studs extending through the back of the housing 22.

Upon removal of the housing 22 and the cover 24, th internal structure appears as shown in FIGURE 2 from front and FIGURE from the rear. A base panel 26 (FIGURE 2) may be formed of sheet metal and receives four rubber studs 28 for supporting the structure. The upright frame principally comprises a pair of spacedapart sides 30 and 32 which may be riveted or affixed to the base panel 26 by studs. The lever 12 (right of FIGURE 2) is affixed to a transverse shaft 34 which is journalled into bearings mounted in the sides 30 and 32. A similar shaft 36 supports the set 14 of reels, here individually identified as reels 38, 39 and 4t Dropping a coin into the receptacle It releases the handle 12 for a forward stroke on the shaft 34 to spin the set 14 of reels on the shaft 36 until the handle is raised to stop the reels in sequence. In the operation, coins are dropped as indicated by an arrow 43 to first fill a pay-out tube and thereafter fall to accumulate on the base anel 26. Returned coins are dispensed through a channel 42, affixed to the left of the unit which is fixed to a cross brace 44 of channel section extending between the sides 30 and 32. A central brace 47 also extends between the sides and serves to support certain operating mechanisms. In view of the above preliminary consideration of the structure illustratively disclosed herein, a complete and detailed understanding of the operation and mechanism thereof may now best be accomplished by assuming various phases of operation, and explaining the component mechanisms as the operation sequence is described. Therefore, initially assume the deposit of a coin 46 (FIGURE 3) into the coin receptacle 1! to start the operating sequence. The presence of the coin 46 is sensed by a feeler 48 that is coupled to the operating handle 12 through the shaft 34 (bottom of FIGURE 3) upon which the handle 12 is carried. More specifically, as the handle 12 is pulled forward, the shaft 34 is also moved forward by an interconnecting mechanism. The shaft 34- carries a fixed pivot actuator 50 incorporating an extension 52 that is engaged with a toggle latch 54 which is in turn pivotally affixed to the feeler 48 by a stud 53. The latch 54 is held slidably adjacent the side 30 by a guide 56 that is punched from the side 30. The latch 54 is also fixed on a stud 58 extending from the side 30, which stud is received in a slot 60 extending through the latch 54. A spring 62 extends from a location adjacent the slot 60 and is anchored to the side 30.

In operation, as the handle 12 is pulled forward, the actuator 50 revolves clockwise, engaging a tab 59 and urging the latch 54 to the right through the extension 52. If, the feeler 48 does not encounter a coin, the latch 54- moves over the distance permitted by the slot 60 then locks the actuator 50 against further motion. However, if the feeler 48 engages a coin, the forward travel of the upper end of the latch 54 is halted with the result that further motion of the latch is pivotal about the stud 58 causing the tab 59 of the latch to rise and thereby disengage the extension 52 for further forward movement. In this manner, the structure tests for the presence of a coin in the receptacle and upon sensing the coin unlocks the handle 12 for further forward motion to accomplish the next operation in the sequence of imparting spin to the set 14 of reels. Preliminary to considering the movement of the reels, it is to be noted that an arm 66 extending from the feeler 48 extends into the coin receptacle 10 and prevents coins from dropping through the unit until the operating cycle is completed and the feeler 48 is withdrawn.

For spinning the reels, the actuator 50 is latched to an arm 68 by a stud 70 internally afiixed to the actuator 50. The arm 68 is fixed to a rack segment 72 at a pivot mount 74. The external curved edge of the segment 72 comprises a gear rack 76 the teeth of which mesh with a gear wheel 78 which is carried on the end of the shaft 36 hearing the set 14 of reels, and is coupled to impart a free-spinning motion to the reels.

Considering this operation in greater detail, as the handle 12 is drawn progressively forward from the point at which the actuator 59 is released by the latch 54, the rack segment 72 is pulled in a similar clockwise direction through the arm 68, thereby stressing a coil spring 80 which extends between the rack segment and the frame side 30. At the end of the forward stroke by the handle 12 the arm 68 (shown thereat in phantom) engages an abutment 82 extending transversely from the frame side 36 and is thereby lifted to disengage itself from the stud 74 as indicated by an arrow 81. As a result, the segment 72, carrying the gear rack 76 is rapidly returned to the position as shown in FIGURE 4, by the energy stored in the spring 80. As a result, the gear wheel 78 revolved momentarily in a clockwise direction, which motion imparts spin to the set 14 of reels. It is to be noted, that the actuator 59 remains in a forward position along with the handle 12 (shown in FIGURE 4) as the segment '72 is drawn counterclockwise by the spring 89. Thus, the spinning motion imparted to the set 14 of reels is substantially independent of any control by the handle 12. Of course, as indicated above, the operation of stopping the reels is directly controlled by the handle 12 so that therein lies the challenge of coordinatron.

The set 14 of reels on the shaft 36 are mounted for free rotation only in the forward spinning direction as during play. Otherwise, the set 14 of reels are coupled to the shaft 36 so that motion can be imparted to them. More specifically, as shown in FIGURE 6 the shaft 36 carries an arm 84 pivotally receiving a pawl 86 to engage a ratchet 88. Thus the ratchet drives the reels in the desired direction. These elements function to couple counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 36 to the reel, while allowing the reel 38 to spin freely ahead of the shaft in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, as the shaft 36 revolves briefly and rapidly in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURE 6) the reel 39 is actuated to spin and is permitted to continue to spin as the shaft 36 is moved in a clockwise direction during the return stroke of the handle 12.

After the set 14 of reels is spun, the individual reels are stopped in sequence, individually by lock bars 92 (FIGURE 6) each of which drop into spaces 94 defined between radial extensions 96 that are integrally formed in the side of the reels. In this regard, each of the reels comprises a generally cylindrical section 98 (FIGURE 8) and index section 1% formed in a first step or shoulder and a locking section 102 defining the extensions 96 in the second step or shoulder. Of course, the entire reel may be integrally formed of plastic or other molded material as generally well known in the art. The cylindrical section 98 carries the indicia 16. The locking sections 102 each receive one of the lock bars 92 (FIGURE 6) to halt the spinning reels. The index section on each of the reels are then collectively sensed by feelers that manifest a winning combination of the indicia as shown. The indexing operation to manifest a winning combination will be considered in detail below; however, first consider the operationwhereby manual control of the handle 12 releases the lock bars 92 in sequence to stop the reels in positions related to the manual dexterity of the operator.

The lock bars 92 (FIGURE 6) include an actual latch 104, an angularly-offsct central leg 106 and a base plate 168, all integrally formed for example out of a single sheet of metal. The plate 1% defines a bore which receives the shaft 34 carrying the handle 12; however, the shaft is freely rotatable within that bore. In general, as the shaft 34 is revolved in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURE 6) the lock bar 92 is pulled downward so that the latch 164 is withdrawn, then a toggle structure 110 holds the lock bar 92 down until the handle revolves the shaft 34 in a clockwise direction during which the lock bar 92 is sequentially released to stop the reels in order.

As shown in FIGURE 6a, the shaft 34 carries the lock-bar base plate 108 between sleeves 112 and 114. The sleeve 114 has a radial extension 116, bearing a cam pin 18 that is parallel to the shaft 34. Although the shaft 34 is freely rotatable relative the plate 108, it is fixed to the sleeves 112 and 114. Therefore, as the shaft 34 moves in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in FIGURES 6 and 6a) the cam pin 118 also moves in a counterclockwise direction to force base plate 108 down wardly about the shaft 34. As the base plate 108 moves downward it drops below a lock tab 120 extending from a toggle plate 122 afiixed to a front panel by a pivot pin 124 and somewhat enclosing the plate 108. When this occurs, an anchored spring 126 pulls the toggle plate 122 rotatably about the pin 124 so that the lock tab 120 holds the entire lock bar 92 in a lowered position, maintaining the latch 104 withdrawn from engagement with the extensions 96 as shown in FIGURE 6. Therefore, the reels 38, 39 and 40 are free to spin and are in fact spun as described above, the spin being initiated substantially at the end of the power or forward stroke of the handle 12 as described.

The reels 38, 39 and 40 continue to revolve in a freespinning manner pending the release of the handle 12. During this time, the first reel 38 (FIGURE 2) is to be closely observed by the operator, with the objective of stopping the reel so that one of the desired indicia (to form a winning combination) is stopped at the center of the window. Of course, if success is attained in this regard, the attempt is made to similarly stop a selected symbol on the reel 39 in order to further perfect a win ning combination. Thereafter, a similar coordinated effort may be made with respect to the third reel 40. Of course it is to be emphasized that the sequential halting of the reels occurs in timed relationship with the release of the handle 12 during its return stroke. In considering the mechanism in detail for stopping the reels, reference will now be made to FIGURES 6 and 6a.

As indicated, the sleeves 114 (FIGURE 6a) are affixed for rotation with the shaft 34; therefore, as the shaft 34 (controlled by the handle 12) is released to move (clockwise as shown) the sleeves 114 are permitted to move as indicated in FIGURE 6a, thereby lifting a tab 132 which brushes against an upright extension 134 of the toggle plate 122 forcing the plate to the left. Therefore, as the shaft 34 is released, the extension 134 is urged to the left by the tab 132 to pivotally displace the toggle plate 122 and thereby release or disengage the tab 120 from locking relationship with the plate 108. When the plate 108 is released an anchored coil spring 136 (FIGURE 6) pulls the entire lock bar 92 upward thereby forcing the latch 104 into a space 94, halting the reel 38. It is to be noted, that the tabs, as the tab 132 (FIGURE 6a) on each of the sleeves, as the sleeve 114 are relatively offset so that the toggle plate 122 associated with the first reel 38 is initially released, followed by release of the toggle plate associated with the reel 39 which is in turn followed by release of toggle plate associated with the reel 40. As a result, the reels are locked in sequence, each identified with a particular phase of the return stroke by the handle 12. Thus, the depositor may or may not (depending upon his skill and coordination in releasing the handle 12) accomplish a setting of the wheels which manifests a winning combination as indicated by the symbols or indicia 16 and as sensed by feeler gauges in cooperation with the index section 100 (FIGURE 8) of the reels.

In general, the existence of a winning combination of reel positions is determined by feeler gauges or arms 140, 142 and 144 (FIGURE 6). These arms are released after the reels have been stopped, to engage the index sections 100 of each reel. If one of the index arms 140, 142 or 144 is permitted (by all of the index sections 100) to penetrate into an internal position, as indicated by the phantom configuration 146 (FIGURE 8) then a lock lug 150 is withdrawn from a coin-retaining carrier as described below permitting coins therein to be moved or discharged into the cup 20 (FIGURE 1).

The feeler arms for sensing a winning combination must be withheld from the index sections until the reels are stopped by the locking sections receiving stopping latches. In fact, the feeler arms 140, 142 and 144 are withheld until the very end of the cycle concluded by the final movement of the handle 12 during the return stroke. Upon such terminating movement, the arms 140, 142 and 144 are released by the handle 12 acting through a latch structure as shown in FIGURE 7 and as now will be considered in detail.

The central shaft 34 to which the handle 12 is attached is rigidly attached to an actuator arm 152 which carries a transversely-extending guide pin 154 which rides in a slot 156 through the frame side 32. The pin 154 also engages a pivotally-mounted lever 158 afiixed to the frame side 32 at a pivot point 160. As the arm 152 moves forward during the power stroke (to the right as shown in FIGURE 7) the pin 154 engages the lever 158, at the bottom thereof, swinging the upper end 162 of the lever 158 to the left and forcing the slider 164 to the left. The slider 164 is held to a guide brace 166 and its displacement stresses coil springs 168 and moves the index arms 140, 142 and 144 to the left until the latch 170 of a swing plate 172 released to be raised by a spring 174 to catch the end of the slider 164 locking the arms 140, 142, and 144 out of engagement or positioned to the left as shown in FIGURE 7. The withdrawn position of the index arms 140, 142 and 144 is indicated in solid line representation in FIGURE 8 so that the reels 38, 39 and 40 may spin freely. Of course, as explained above, the release of the handle 12 during the return stroke in sequence halts the reels 38, 39 and 40 then during the very last phase of the stroke the index arms 140, 142 and 144 are set into the index sections to determine whether or not a winning combination was obtained.

Considering the release of the arms, reference is again made to FIGURE 7 in which it may be seen that as the handle 12 is returned, the upper end of the arm 152 engages a tab 176 of the plate 172, thereby swinging the hook latch downward to release the slider 164 so that it may move to the right under the force of the springs 168 thereby allowing the arms 140, 142 and 144 to move into the index sections 100 of the reels.

If the index sections allow any one of the spring-driven arms 140, 142 or 144 to penetrate into the reels (FIG- URE 8) beyond a predetermined point, the associated arm 180 is withdrawn whereby a latch lug 150 is pulled from one of three metering chambers to permit the delivery of coins. That is, the arms 140, 142 and 144 are held at a pivot mount 182 so that the arms 180 function in cooperation with these arms essentially as flexible L- configuration levers. As a result, if any one of the arms 140, 142 or 144 is permitted to move beyond a certain point into the reels, the associated lug 150 is withdrawn from one of three metering chambers 184 (see also FIG- URE 9), allowing one of an associated set of springs 186 to move one particular metering chamber 184 as shown by the arrow 187, carrying coins within a cylindrical space 188 for delivery through a channel 190 which is connected to the cup 20.

Thus, each of the index arms 140, 142 and 144 are associated with a particular winning combination the occurrence of which is manifest on the index sections 100 and enables the particular arm to move into the index section, thereby releasing one of the lugs 150 (FIGURE 9) which in turn enables one of the metering chambers 154 to be displaced to carry a select number of coins for delivery to the cup 20 (FIGURE 1).

It is to be noted, that the metering chambers 184 (FIG- URE 9) are provided with coins in a tube 190, which is also shown in FIGURE 2 to receive coins from the coin receptacle 10 until the coin tube is full. Thereafter the coins strike a plate 194 and simply fall to the bottom of the machine for accumulation. When it is desired to remove the coins from the bank, the housing 22 may be disconnected from the cover 24 or alternatively an opening may be provided in the base panel 26.

Thus, the system hereof provides an extremely inexpensive mechanism to manufacture, thereby enabling an interesting savings bank providing fascination in the course of depositing coins and enjoyment to the depositor. The important features of this structure as viewed in this regard are deemed to reside particularly in the effective use of the handle to control virtually all the operations within the machine. Particularly, the fact that the release of the handle accomplishes the positioning of the reels at selected locations as well as the fact that the positions so set are sensed to effectively regulate a pay-out or return operation accomplishes considerable advantage for the simple structure.

It is aparent that the above material sets forth the advantages and objects of the invention; however, it is also apparent that a wide variety of different structural forms may be provided which depart considerably from the structure disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope hereof is not to be limited by the disclosed structure but rather shall be interpreted in accordance with the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A toy bank for accumulating coins, comprising a plurality of rotatively-mounted reels, bearing indicia thereon;

handle means, conditioned for operation, by receipt of a coin, to move through a cyclic pattern;

drive means coupled to said handle means during at least one part of said cyclic pattern, for imparting energy to said reels whereby to spin said reels;

manual control r'neans coupled to said handle means and under the control thereof during at least another part of said cyclic pattern for directly halting said reels individually in sequence whereby to indicate various combinations of indicia; and

means for sensing halted positions of said reels, as

halted, to return coins upon indications of predetermined combinations of indicia.

2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises:

a plurality of lock devices, each individually mounted for engagement with one of said reels;

and means coupled to said handle means for withdrawings said lock devices during said one part of said cyclic pattern and sequentially releasing said lock devices during said other part of said cyclic pattern.

3. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said means for sensing positions of said wheels comprises a plurality of indexes individually afiixed to said reels and a like plurality of feeler gages individually matably engageable with said indexes whereby to be placed in positions to manifest said predetermined combinations of indicia.

4. A structure according to claim 3, further including a coin housing defining a cylindrical cavity divided into sections to index predetermined numbers of coins; and means for sliding one of said sections to withdraw the predetermined number of coins from said housing, said means for sliding being coupled to be controlled by said feeler gages.

5. A structure according to claim 4 wherein said manual control means comprises:

a plurality of lock devices, each individually mounted for engagement with one of said reels; and

means for coupling said handle to said lock devices for withdrawing said lock devices during said one part of said cyclic pattern and sequentially releasing said lock devices during said other part of said cyclic pattern.

6. A toy bank according to claim 1 wherein said reels each comprise a cylindrical section bearing said indicia; a lock section including radially-Spaced extensions for cooperatively engaging said control means for halting said reels; and an index section manifesting said indicia as physical displacements, for receiving said means for sensing.

7. 'A toy bank according to claim 6 wherein said means for sensing includes a feeler gage for each possible winning combination of reel positions, for engaging said index section and releasing a coin delivery mechanism upon sensing a winning combination.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,697,537 1/1939 Mills. 2,245,898 6/1941 Bradt 273-143 2,650,686 9/1953 Bigue. 2,932,976 4/1960 Mihalek et al. 273l43 X ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner A. W. KRAMER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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