US1257045A - Game. - Google Patents

Description

F. W. STOTLER.

GAME.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. 1917. 1,257,045, Patented Feb. 19,1918.-

5 a I i I F i D J J J NIGHTINGALE A i A c I If H! Fla 2.

W/TNESSES INVENTOR Fmnk Stone 1r FFICE.

FRANK W. STOTLER, OF WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1917. 7 Serial No. 160,864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. STOTLER,

- a device which, having been set in motion by the player, will operate to select automatically certain marked counters or in: dicia. It is intended to so construct the moving parts that the selection of counters may either be controlled entirely by the operator, or else left entirely to chance by reason of starting the moving parts with an indeterminate force, allowing the selection to be made by the device itself as it comes to rest after the imparted force is expended.

More specifically the invention comprises the mounting of a permanent magnet on a depending arm so that it may be revolved about a center, the arm being carried outward by centrifugal force, and the provision of a plurality of metal counters arranged beneath the magnet in the circular path of its travel when not deflected by centrifugal force. These counters are of me al or ferrous composition attracted by .a magnet, and so arranged that as the latter comes to rest it will pick up one of them.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire device, the parts in relative position as when the rotatable member is actuated; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l, but with the movable parts in stationary position, and showing a counter being selected; Fig. 3 is a view of the marked side of a counter which may be used for playing a game with the device.

The construction is as follows: Upon suitable supports C, which are preferably of rubber, fiber, felt, or soft wood which will not scratch a table top, is mounted a circular plate A, and superimposed on this, is a second plate B. Both elements A and B are preferably of Wood, though they may be of any suitable material not attracted by a magnet. Rotatably mounted in the center of the-plate, or board, B, is a vertical member D, having a horizontal extension with its end approximately over the periphery of the board, said end being flattened to form a, vertically flat face, through the middle part of which is a hole. Another arm member F having its upper end similarly flattened and perforated, is attached to the horizontal member by a pin E, thus forming a hinged joint, permitting the arm F to swing in and out in the plane of the member D, but being rigid as to movement outside that plane. To the lower end of the depending arm is attached a winged member G, formed to simulate a bird in flight. Incorporated in or depending from this bird figure is a permanent magnet M, just clearin the board surface when the arm F 'is epending vertically. The rotatable member D is preferably formed with its bearing end beveled to form a pointed seat to lessen friction, and with a portion near the pointed end cut away to form a bearing at the bottom and top only of the retaining bushing H, which asses through the plates A and B, having 1ts upper edge turned out to form a flange which is countersunk level with the surface of the playing board. Retaining screws hold the bushing in position and rigidly connect plates A and B to form the playing board. About its periphery the plate B as a plurality of radial cuts forming recesses J. Ferrous sheet metal counters K are adapted to fit in said recesses. These counters are ordinarily finished blank on one side, with a letter, or number, or other indicia on the reverse side, for the purpose of making up a game, as more fully described below.

The operation of the game is as follows The recesses J are each rovided with one or more of the counters the player then spins the member D about its axis by placing his finger against the horizontal arm near the vertical part and giving a quick turn thereto. Centrifugal force will cause the arm. F to swing out, as shown in Fig. 1,

while the parts are turning rapidly. The

bird will appear to sail through the air, and as the impulse loses force and the revolution becomes less rapid, the arm F will settle to vertical position; the bird apparently returning to alight. As the arm F approaches the vertical position, the magnet M comes nearer the metal counters K, and when the Patented Feb. 19, 1911's.

revolution becomes slow and the magnet returned to vertical position one of the counters will suddenly be lifted from its recess and held by the magnet. Obviously the rapidity with which the revolution is commenced will determine just where the swinging arm will return to rest, so that both chance and skill are elements in the ultimate selection of a counter. Thus are provided the two features most important in furnishing variety and interest'in any ame.

While it will be obvious that a large number of different games may be played with this device, and a wide variety of rules adoptcd,-the following is given as one simple and specific illustration: The counters are decorated on one side with the picture of a bird, as for example in Fig. 3, anightingale. Say ten counters are so marked; ten others with the picture and name of another bird. as thrush, and so on,'for a number of difi'erent species of bird.- These are mixed and placed face up, an equal number of counters in each recess J. The first player spins, and the magnet selects a counter marked Nightingale. The second player spins and gets a counter mar ked Thrush. Then they play alternately until one player gets four other counters marked like his first, thus makin a book of five similar counters and winmng the game. If the counters are displayed face up, evidently skill of the operator will be called into play, to try,to spin the device so as to have the magnet come to rest over the desired counter; and since a large number of the counters will be covered by those above, one being uncovered at each play, the element of chance-will be very influential. For example, there might be three nightingale counters exposed, and

a different number, or none of the thrush her being adapted to pick up a counter upon coming to rest after rotation.

2. A game comprising a rotatable member and removable counters, a depending arm on the rotatable member adapted to select and pick up a counter from its path upon coming to rest after revolution.

3. A game comprising a rotatable member and removable counters, a, depending arm pivotally attached to the rotatable member whereby the arm is swung out of normal position. when the rotatable member is actuated, and a device for holding the counters in position to be engaged by the depending arm upon return to normal position after revolution.

4. A game comprising a rotatable member and ferrous counters, the rotatable member carrying a magnet adapted to select a counter upon coming to rest after revolution.

5. A game comprising a circular board, a vertical rotatable shaft centrally mounted in the board, a horizontal arm on said shaft extending to the edge of the board, a pivotally mounted depending arm carried by the horizontal arm, a permanent magnet at the lower end of said depending arm, recesses in the periphery of the board, and ferrous counters in said recesses adapted to be sedected by said magnet when it.is in station-.

a-ry position.

6. A game comprising a movable member and ferrous counters arranged in the path of travel of the movable member, said movable member containing a magnet adapted to select one of the counters as the movable member comes to rest after actuation.

7. A game comprising a rotatable member mounted centrally on a circular board, ferrous counters disposedabout the eriphery of the board, and a magnet depen ing from the rotatable member normally over the periphery of the board but adapted Whilev the rota-tablemember is actuated to be extended beyond said periphery by centrifugal force and to return to said periphery to engage a counter when the rotatable member again 100 becomes stationary.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK W. STOTLER. Witness:

GLENN H. Lnnnsorm.

Images