US2278024A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

A. ROSENZWEIG GAME APPARATUS Filed April 1, 1940 Marh 31,1942.

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v BY I ATTORNEY March 31, 1942. A. RbSENZWEIG GAME APPARATUS v Filed April 1, 1940 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

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Patented Mar. 31, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE n GAME APPARATUS Abraham Rosenzweig, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application April 1, 1940, Serial No. 327,302 Claims. 273-125) 2 This invention relates generally to games, but more specifically to a hand ballrolling game wherein both the control of the speed and direction of the projected ball determine thefreturn course thereof along any one of a plurality of return channels, eachchannel being provided with means for registering a value.

The main object of the invention the provisionof a game structure having an, in clined main runway, a vertically extending concave rear member extending off said runway and being-provided with an upper and lower group of channels to serve as return courses for any projected ball. The speed and direction of throw determine the return rolling course of the ball in any one particular channel, each channel having scoring means actuated by the striking of the ball thereagainst. I u

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a gamev structure wherein each ball is adapted to roll on its return course by reason of the provision of a concave return member associated with an inclined plate from which plate the return courses proceed.

A, still further objectof the invention resides in the provision of a game apparatus which is designed to take up little space and the results of which are predicted on the. skill of the player. These objects and other incidental endsand advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the progress of the disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims,

Accompanying this specification are drawings showing preferred forms of the invention where- I u in correspondingreference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a planview of the game apparatus. Figure 2 is a vertical section thereof along the plane 2 -2 of Figure 1. I

Figure 3 is an end view in elevation in the direction of the arrow 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of I the apparatus along the plane 'l4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a partial plan view along the plane.

5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is an end view in elevation of an al ternative form of the game. I Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram shewing scoring operation during playing of the ferred forms shown, the game apparatus generally designated by numeral If! is provided with a conventional framework including a base memdesides inv through said opening 32 her ll, side members [2, l2 and inclined supporting rails 12, I 2 on which a main runway IT is secured as will hereinafter appear. The rear portion of the framework includes a vertically extending and curved member I3 having a forwardly protruding portion I4. Extending forwardly from member l3 are lateral extensions l5, 15 forming in conjunction with the side members l2, l2 the side walls of the apparatus, said extensions l5, l5 terminating adjacent the forward half of the apparatus. The framework is also provided with two lateral supporting members l6, l6 adapted to abut extensions l5, l5 and to support transverse platforms 28 and 38 containing the scoring apparatus'as will hereinafter appear.

The main incline runway ll proceeds rear- Wardly and develops into an upwardly extending and concave members It! terminating forwardly in a downwardly projecting guide portion Illa, member 18 and portion l8a being securedtogether by the extension members l5, l5 and by a front cross piece [817 as best shown in Figure 2. Across the rear end of extensions I5, l5 and adjacent concave member I8 is an inclined plate 20 supported by bracket 20a, the distance between the forward edge of guide portion I80. and plate 26 being slightly greater than the diameter of any one of balls 21, whereby after a ball has negotiated curves I8 and [8a the same will roll down inclined plate 20 and be prevented from bouncing. Extending off plate 20 are an upper and lower group of channels In the lower group, the channels are each designated by numeral 25, the side walls thereof being designated by numeral 26. Channels all incline downwardly and forwardly and are disposed in spaced relation across the width of the apparatus and terminating in a co-extensive and inclined transverseplatform 28. A scoring apparatus is adapted to be supported on the forward edge of platform 28 and at the end of each channel 25, the said apparatus including a lamp socket 28, 'asignal lamp 3!] containedttherein, an actuating plunger 3| and a relay 23 associated therewith. An opening 32 adjacent each of plungers 3| is provided in the platform 28 so that the ball 2'! rolling along any channel 25 may strike against plunger 3| at the end of its course and drop At the striking of plunger 3|, signal lamp 3!) becomes illuminated and relay 29' becomes energized. In order to view the registration of values for each of the channels 25, there is secured across the front edge of platform 28 and in front of signal lamps 3G a translucent surface 33 having scoring members thereon opposite the ends of each of the channels 25, the said scoring numbers standing out on the illumination of the signal lamps 30. Between each of the channels 25 on platform 28 and rearwardly disposed from openings 32 are openings 42 used for the ball return from the second and upper group of channels 35, now to be described.

The said upper group of channels 35 having side walls 36, extend off inclined plate and are less inclined than channels 25, the said channels 35 alternating in position with channels at the lower edge of plate 20. Channels 55 terminate at the lower ends in a transverse platform 38 disposed directly above and slightly behind platform 28. Platform '38 is provided with similar scoring apparatus at the end of each channel such as a lamp socket 38, a signal lamp 40, an actuating plunger 4| and a relay 35' associated therewith. Each plunger M is contiguous to an opening 42 in platform 58 so that a ball rolling along any one channel 35 may strike against plunger 4| at the end of its course and drop through opening 42. At the striking of plunger 4|, lamp 40 becomes illuminated and relay 39' becomes energized. It is to be observed that when a ball 21 falls through opening 42 in platform 38, it is necessary for the same to penetrate lower platform 28 to get to a return chute and for this purpose openings 42', as has heretofore been mentioned, are disposed rearwardly of openings 32 on platform 28 and between channels 25. The openings 42' are in alignment with openings 42 on platform j 38 at the end of channels 35. At the forward edge of the upper platform 38 is also a translucent scoring surface 43 whereon scoring values are printed opposite the signal lamps 4B.

As has been mentioned, in order to permit a ball 2! to drop from any channel 35 into a receiving chute, the ball must fall through .aligned'openings 42' on platform 28, but to prevent said ball from accidently missing the opening 42 and rolling downwardly on platform 28, partitions 44 are set up at the forward end of openings 42 as seen in Figure 5 to insure the return thereof into the receiving chute.

Transversely disposed beneath lower platform 28 is an inclined and fabricated ball return chute 45 communicating with openings 42 and 42' and terminating in a vertically disposed chute portion 45. Portion 46 leads into an opening 41 which penetrates runway through 'a lateral and raised wall mounted on said runway l1. Extending off opening 41 is an inclined and forwardly extending reservoir chute .8 leading into a front transverse pocket 49 in which balls 21 roll from the reservoir chute 48 after the operation of a conventional coin ball release box 5| situated near the end of said reservoir chute 48.

The wall 50 narrows the width of the forward portion of runway H to conceal the projecting and vertical portion 48 of reservoir chute 48 above runway l1.

In the alternative construction shown in Figure 6, it is unnecessary to narrow the width of the forward portion of runway 11 because of the fact that the vertically disposed chute portion 46 is secured externally of the side walls of the apparatus. Thus, from ,Figure 6 the apparatus is generally designated by numeral H); numeral l6 represents a verticalsupporting structure for the transverse platforms on which the return channels and. the scoring apparatus are mounted, and for the ball return chutes 46' and 48'. 5| represents generally a coin slot and ball release for balls in reservoir 48'.

The electrical connections shown in Figure 7 are conventional. Two main lines 55 and 58 leading from a source of power are interrupted by the coin box ball release construction 5| serving in the normal capacities of a switch and ball release mechanism. Numeral 56 indicates an electrical line from the ball release mechanism. All the signal lamps and relays on the platform 28 are connected in parallel to lines 58 and ,55 by means of connections 59, 5'! and 55 while all the lamps and relays on platform 38 are connected to the lines 58 and 55 in parallel by means of electrical connections 6| and B0 and 56. The plungers and armatures situated on each of the platforms are connected to line 55 by connections 56 and 56'.

Upon the insertion of a coin in the coin box 5|, the handle thereof is unlocked to permit a release of balls 2'! from chute .48 to pocket 45 and to make electrical connections in preparation forthe scoring of the balls in each particular channel. The game consists of rollin one ball at atime up the main runway around extension I8, down plate 20 and into any one of the channels 25 in the lower group and 35 in the upper group. The ball necessarily must find its way into one of said channels and cause a registration of the value thereof by striking against one of the plungers 3|, 4|, the ball then proceeding downwardlyinto the reservoir chute 48. After five balls have been thrown in this way, the scoring is noted against the translucent plates 33 and 43. In order to play a second time, a coin is thrown into the coin box ball release 5| which causes the bulbs 3|! and 4D to go out and permits the balls to roll into the pocket .49 or 49'.v At this time the plungers 3| and 4| are ready to be struck by the balls going into the respective channels.

I wish it understood that minor changes and variations in the size, shape, construction, integration and material of the parts of the invenclined plate leading off the forward end of said return course along which the ball rolls after negotiating the vertically concave return course, a plurality of inclined channels at different levels leading off the inclined plate at the forward edge into any one of which the ball may roll, and a corlnmon return chute disposed below said channe s.

2. A ball-playing game apparatus including an inclined ball course, a vertically concave return course extending upwardly from one end of said ball course, an inclined plate placed below and leading off the forward end of said return course and forming a transverse opening therewith slightly larger than the diameter of a playing ball from which opening the ball rolls, a plurality of spaced and inclined channels at different levels leading off the lower end of the inclined plate into any one of which the ball may roll,

channels.

3. A ball-playing game apparatus including an inclined ball course, a concave return course extending off the end of said ball course, an inclined plate spaced below and leading off the forward end of said return course and forming a transverse opening therewith slightly larger than the diameter of a playing ball from which opening the ball rolls, a plurality of spaced and inclined channels at diiferent levels spaced above the ball clined channels at difierent levels spaced above the ball course and leading 011' the lower end of the inclined plate, and a receiving chute communicating with the ends of said channels for the ball return.

5. A ball playing game apparatus including an inclined ball course, a concave return course extending off the end of said ball course, an inclined plate spaced below and leading off the forward end of said return course and forming a transverse opening therewith slightly larger than the diameter of a playing ball from which opening the ball rolls, groups of inclined and spaced channels at different levels disposed above the ball course and leading off the lower end of the inclined plate, and a common receiving chute communicating with the ends of said channels for the ball return.

ABRAHAM ROSENZWEIG.

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