US2984487A - Chance selection device - Google Patents

Description

May 16, 1961 M. M. SCHIFFMAN 2,984,487

CHANCE SELECTION DEVICE Fil ed Aug. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 -30 F162 3l @5@LL/32 -33 no 24 4 FIG.3

M27 38 T P29 34 as as awe-mm, 37 MURRAY MscHlFFMAN ATfO/WEV May 16, 1961 M. M. SCHIFFMAN 2,984,487

CHANCE SELECTION DEVICE Filed Aug. 1a, 1958 2 Sh gets-Sheet 2 Ta (y 0 5s |s A D/// 8AM c) 0 O we O 0 ,/27 FIGS IN l/E N R,

MURRAY M.SCHIFFMA|N A Tram/EV.

United States Patent CHANCE SELECTION DEVICE Murray M. Schilfman, Watertown, Mass. (97 Dorcar Road, Newton 59, Mass.)

Filed Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,561

7 Claims. (Cl. 273-139) The present invention relates to game apparatus.

The principal object of this invention is to provide novel and improved game apparatus of a type involving the player to make a choice from amongst a plurality of separately housed game paraphernalia, prizes or other objects of which a different group is made accessible at each actuation of associated mechanism, but hidden from view.

Another object thereof is to provide a novel and improved game apparatus of the character mentioned, including a selector which when set in chosen positions willcause' a movably mounted member to shift automatically and come to rest at predetermined positions respectively, which are controlled by said mechanism, whereupon the player will have a choice to select the contents of any one from amongst a plurality of containers which are made accessible to be opened when said .movably mounted member has come to a halt; there being amultiplicity of such containers, but only a predetermined group from amongst them is made accessible at each such halt and the group difiers at each rest position respectively.

1 A further object thereof is to provide a novel and improved game apparatus of the type set forth, wherein the movable member is one having an endless periphery, as for instance a 'revolvably mounted disc or an endless belt mounted for movement about pulleys and where by'means of a controlled electric motor, such member is selectively moved from one position to another to make diflierent groups of containers accessible so that they may be opened and their contents withdrawn.

Ar further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved game device of the nature set forth, in'whose containers, a person other than the players, may distribute the cards of a deck, domino blocks, lotto discs, numbered tickets for the game of bingo, lettered tickets for the anagram games or the paraphernalia'of any game whose pieces are to be dealt to the players, and then the device is operated to deal, and of course at any stopped position of the aforementioned moving member which is automatically controlled, the

players will still need choose one of a group of containers made accessible to be opened.

Another object thereof is to providea novel and improved game device of the kind described, which permits one set of players to engage in the playing of two different games simultaneously.

Still another object of this invention is to provide novel andimproved game devices of the character de-.

scribed, which are reasonably cheap to manufacture, easy to operate and efficient in carrying out the purposes -for which they are designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

For the practice of this invention, one form it may assume, is to have a fixed member provided with a multiplicity of equi-spaced, open-top sockets arranged in a circle. A disc whose movement is to be controlled,

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is rotatably mounted on said member on an axis which is the center of said circle. This disc covers said sockets which serve as the mentioned containers. Said disc has at least two holes therethrough in registry with any two selected socket mouths respectively. All the socket months may have individual openable covers which are manipulatable through the holes in the disc as they are exposed, or better yet, a minimum of structure is afforded by having shiftable covers atop the disc for each of its holes. The disc carries an electrically-conductive brush or arm for contacting successive conductive segments arranged in the manner of a commutator on the fixed member. The commutator segments are slightly spaced and lie in and substantially fill a ring lane concentric with said circle. There is a selective device having a movable element which is set to determine the position the disc is to be moved to. This movable element may be an elongated strip set to be slid longitudinally along a track. There are spaced contact points along this track, which are electrically connected respectively to a commutator segment; there being one such contact point for each commutator segment. The said slidable member has a cut-out so that any one of the contact points is at :any one time, out of contact with said slidable strip. Such slidable strip is electrically conductive, hence all contact points in contact therewith will be in electrical connection. The brush arm is electrically connected to one terminal of an electric motor arranged to drive the disc slowly. The other terminal of the motor is electrically connected to one terminal of an electric battery or other source of electrical energy supply. The other terminal of said battery is electrically connected to the sliding strip which is the selector. A switch is interposed in the motor circuit and may be of the manually or coin operated type which are stated by way of example. This switch, is normallyin open condition. Also provided is a means to brake the disc so that the latter be controlled at each of the commutator segments or at segments, and yet each selector position will cause the.

disc to stop at a predetermined halt position respectively. Arrangement is also made to have a comparatively large number of containers along concentric circles, with appropriate moveable lids on the disc, so that one,

lid registers with one container in each circular lane respectively. This is to accomplish a relatively small overall size for the game apparatus. Other incidental structure and modifications will be discussed in the detailed description which will now begiven. In the accompanying drawings forming part of this apecification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken by passing a vertical plane across an upright box which is open-topped: and

contains a game apparatus embodying the teachings of this invention. An upper disc whose movement is to be controlled, is omitted in this view.

Fig. 2 is a view showing part of Fig. 1, including said top disc.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the electrical wiring system.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, but of a modified form of wiring system.

Fig. 5 is a top face view of a printed sheet which may beusedin the above apparatus, to provide designations along'the selector member. 7

I Fig. 6 is a top face view of the board member which lies'over's'a'id printed sheet and is also a top plan view of Fig. 1 minus the outer box member and the selector member.

[Fig 7 is an elevational view of the disc which sets over the board member of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8'is a top plan view'of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a face view of a strip member which serves to select apparatus-controlled stopping positions for the disc.

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of a modified structure.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 showing one form this invention may assume, the numeral designates a board which sets atop a sheet 16 resting on a table 17 within an opentop upright box 18. The table occupies only part of said box to :leave space for an electric motor 19 and a battery 20 which are mounted on the underside of said board 15. The motor is positioned so that its shaft 19 is vertical and extends above the upper surface of said board through asuitable opening therefor. The member whose movement is to be controlled, is in this embodiment, the disc 21 which has an eyelet 22at center by which said disc is set for rotation on the vertical axis pin 23 extending upwardly from the board 15. The underside of said disc carries a metallic brush arm 24 which as the disc is rotated, makes contact with successive contact elements arranged in the form of a commutator indentified generally by the numeral 25 which is around the axis pin 23 on the upper side of the board 15.

011 said board 15, there are tracks 26 for the slidably mounted electrically conductive, elongated strip 27 which is provided with a notch'28 in one longitudinal edge thereof at mid-region. On the board 15, along said notched edge of the slide strip 27, is a series of spaced contact points which equal in number the segments 130-138, constituting the commutator 25. These contact points are denoted by the numerals 30 through 38 respectively. Their spacing is such that any one may be cleared by the notch 28 of the slidemember 27, and their position is such that those not at notch position, are all in contact with the slide member 27. For making electrical connection to said slide member, the contact point 29 may be provided.

' Between the tracks 26, the board 15 has a window 39 of a length at least equal to the distance taken up by the contact points 30-38 therealong. The printed sheet 16 may have indicia printed thereon in spaced relation as are said contact points; such indicia being indicated in the lanes occupied by the letters a through i, and one, or if desired, more than one of them at one time, are viewable respectively through suitably spaced windows in the slide member 27. Where only one of said indicia is to show, then there is only one window 40. Where a plurality of said lanes of indicia are to show at each setting of the slide member, said member is provided with an appropriate number of windows. In the embodiment illnstrated, there are three such windows which are said window 40 and those indicated by the numerals 41 and 42 which will also register with indicia lanes respectively.

The board 15 has a series of identical and equi-spaced openings in which are supported the downwardly extending, upright containers A through I, and a similar series starting with A, arranged in circles about the commutator and concentric therewith. The printed sheet 16 has holes as A" and A' arranged to coincide with the said containers which pass through them respectively. The arrangement of the indicia tz-i on the printed sheet 16 will be shown to depend upon the system of electrical connections employed. Two such systems are shown and will now be described.

In the electrical system shown in Fig. 3, the contact points 30 through 38 are electrically connected in regular sequence to the successive commutator segments through 138 respectively, while in the system shown in Fig. 4, the order of connection is irregular. In both systems, the commutator segment is numbered one hundred higher than its associated contact point which is along the slide member 27. It is to be noted that in each system, all commutator segments are of equal dimension and are spaced close enough that the brush arm 24,will contact any two adjacent ones simultaneously. The brush arm 24 is electrically connected to one terminal of the series connected group comprising the motor 19, the battery 20 and the switch 44; the inclusion of the latter, being optional. The other terminal of this group is electrically connected to the slide member 27 through the contact point 29. The motor shaft 19' frictionally engages the periphery of the disc 21.

In the embodiment illustrated, there are three holes. in said disc 21. The holes 45 and 46 are in the lane of the containers AI and the hole 47.is in the lane of the containers AI'. Each of these holes has a .swingable cover on said disc. These covers are denoted respectively by the numerals 48, 49 and 50. Each of said holes is substantially the size of the mouth of a container. of the series mentioned, which are below said disc. When the disc comes to rest at eachactuation of the apparatus, it will stop so that said holes will register with the respective containers immediately below. Said disc 21 is preferably provided with a series of 'pins 52 spaced thereon equally about center. A flexible blade spring 53, extending in cantilever fashion from a standard 51 fixed to the board 15, is able to brush said pins 52 as the disc turns while the motor 19 is powered, but such spring and pins cooperate to brake disc movement when the motor receives no power, so that a pin on the disc will stop at the spring blade 53.

Regardless of the electrical system used, meaning whether that shown in Fig. 3 or that shown in Fig. 4, the disc 21 is so set that the brush arm 24 shall contact that commutator segment which is associated with the contact point which is in the clear in the notch 28 of the slide member 27. The switch 44 in the motor circuit is normally in open condition and may be of any manually or coin-operated type. All segments of the commutator 25 are electrically connected except that one which is related to the contact point in the clear at said notch in the selector slide member 27. Even if the switch 44 is set to close, the motor 19 will not operate, because there is an open circuit. A closed circuit exists and hence the motor will operate only when the brush arm is on a commutator segment which is connectegl to one of the contact points along the slide member 27 which is in contact with such member.

Consider the apparatus to be in the condition shown as in Fig. 3. The contact point 30 is cleared by the notch, and the brush arm 24 is on the commutator segment 130. There is an open circuit and the motor 19 is at rest, whether the switch 44 is open or closed. Set said switch in open condition and shift the slide so that the contact point 31 is within said notch and then close the switch. The contact point 30 being in contact with the slide member, current will flow to the motor to operate same until the disc 21 is turned to a position where the brush arm 24 is oif commutator segment 130, whereupon it will be solely in contact with segment 131, whereupon there is an open circuit, current to the motor will stop and the disc will be quickly stopped by the braking action of blade spring 53 against a pin 52 which it now contacts. The disc 21 will have been turned oneninth of a revolution; there being nine commutator segments in the embodiment shown.

Now open the switch 44 and shift the slide member 27 to say a position where the contact point 36 is cleared by the notch 28. Close the switch and the disc 21 will turn until the brush arm which it carries will reach the commutator segment 136. The disc will have turned a total of six-ninths of a revolution.

If .the electricalsystem is that of Fig. 4, the same manipulations will causethe disc 21 to turn a total of eight-ninths of a revolution. Due to the first setting where contact point 31 is 'setin the notch 28, there will occur four-ninths of a revolution and then because of the second setting where the contact point 36 is set in said nptch,1the discjwill turn another four-ninths of a revolution.

In the use illustrated, the motor need be of slight power so that. it can be run by a dry cell 20 as used in a flashlight, and the motor is uni-directional, in this instance counterclockwise so that the disc 21 shall rotate clockwise.

The disc 21, the board" and the printed sheet 16 if one is used, can all. be removed from the box and are separable from each other. This permits the'printed sheet to be changed and all the containers are open for loading and emptying. It is advisable to have locating pins 54-ex'tending a bit upward from the table 17 for locating theprintedsheet which has .the holes 55 for suchpurpose' 'These locating pins and holes may be omitted because the sheet will position properly when the containers A-I and A- set in the holes of the series A", A' in the sheet.

Instead of the disc, the controlled movable member may be an endless belt 56 mounted to run on the pulleys 57. In such instance, the commutator would comprise the arrangement shown at 58 where its segments are on the fixed sheet 59. The contact arm 60 would of course he carried by the belt which is driven by the motor shaft 19'. One way of getting electrical connection to the contact arm 60 would be to have the belt and its pulleys conductive and the lead connected to the shaft of one of the pulleys; such shaft also being electrically conductive. Pins 61 extending from the endless belt 56, act to brake belt movement in cooperation with the cantilever blade spring 62. Within the area encompassed by the belt, there are horizontally positioned containers 63 fixed on said board 59 so that their mouths are adjacent said belt at corresponding ends of the commutator segments where the space permits.

In the embodiment of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and particularly in Fig. 8, the disc 21 is provided with at least two openings which are denoted by the numerals 45 and 46 and are of a size nearly that of the mouth of the containers. Such openings are to have access one at a time to a container of the series A and to a container of the series A, with which they are respectively in register when the disc is at a rest position. If a three window arrangement is used in the slide member 27, as 4042, then the disc should have a third opening 47 to register with a third container. Each of these openings in the disc is covered by a swingable cover. These are indicated respectively by the numerals 48, 49 and 50 and are normally in closing position.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the belt 56 is provided with two similar openings with shiftable covers 67 and 68, to register with containers of the series 63.

In Fig. 10, all the containers are not shown in order to attain clarity of illustration. It is intended that there should be at least one container for each commutator segment to get the full advantage of this apparatus, so that a player could choose the contents of only one of at least a pair of containers which are made accessible. The belt may be of a plastic or leather of a width so that it extends above the top faces of the pulleys 57. The containers 63 can then be one at each commutator segment, at a level above said pulleys.

It is evident that depending upon any set position of the selector member 27, upon actuation of the device by closing the switch 44, the disc 21 or the belt 56 as the case may be, will come to rest at some position determined by the apparaus and that at each rest position, at least two containers will be made accessible to be emptied.

Since each player is allowed the contents of only one container of the group made accessible at any rest position of the controlled movable member 21 or 56, his choice is one of chance.

It is evident that the containers of the series A and those of the series A may have distributed amongst them a deck of cards of any card game, or the blocks of a domino game, or a set of lotto discs, or numbered tickets for a bingo game, or the set of tabs of any anagram game, or printed tickets giving directions for play of a baseball or other ball games or the paraphernalia of any game whose pieces are to be dealt to the players. The players alternately set the selector 27 at any chosen position and close the switch 44, whereupon the disc 21 will move and come to rest at the predetermined position controlled by the mechanism as explained.

The windows 40, 41, 42 may be encircled by differently colored lanes respectively indicated by the numerals 40, 41 and 42 and each of the swingable lids or covers 48, 49, 50 have a single-colored lane as shown at 50', to correspond to those around said windows. The lanes a-i may have printing, only parts of which are to be considered depending on which color window the player chooses for making his setting of the selector member 27, and said parts of the printing in each lane may be in some manner indicative of container contents if the nature of such contents permits, or said printing a-i may be merely numerals or some witty expression respectively.

It is evident that if half the containers of random position are laden with the pieces of a lotto game and the other half with the pieces of a domino game, the players may engage in the playing of two different games simultaneously, though the speculative choice of paraphernalia at the discs stopped positions, may disrupt such intention by yielding the paraphernalia of only one of the games to finish such game before the second is even started.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein shall be deemed illustrative and not restrictive and that the patent shall cover all patentable novelty herein set forthreference being had to the following claims rather than to the specific description herein to indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a device for dealing game paraphernalia, prizes and the like, the combination of a member having an endless periphery, mounted for movement so that such periphery moves about the area it encompasses, a comparatively large number of stationary containers positioned with their mouths adjacent said member; said member being across said mouths, a stationary commutator structure comprising a plurality of electrically conductive segments arranged spaced in a formation substantially concentric with said periphery, an electrically conductive arm moving with said member, in contact at most with two successive segments while it is in motion, an electric motor with means arranged to move said member in the manner mentioned when said motor is actuated, a source of electrical energy, a plurality of spaced fixed electrically conductive contact points, one for each of said segments, an electrically conductive selector element having a cutout, movably positioned whereby any one of said contact points is encompassed by said cut-out and spaced therefrom while all remaining contact points are in contact with said selector element; the segments of the commutator being electrically connected to said contact points respectively; said motor and energy source as a group, being in electrical series connection; such group having end terminals; the said selector element being electrically connected to one of the terminals of said group and the contact arm being electrically connected to the other of said terminals," whereby the motorwill be deactuated'when the contact arm reaches and contacts onlythe commutator segment connected tothe contact point at'sai'd cut-out; said containers being'arranged in at least one-lane concentric with said commutator structure; "said movable member having a comparatively small number of holes therethrough which register respectively-withmouthsof containers at each rest positionof said'movable'membcr and "movably mounted mouth-covering elements, one across each of said holes; any of said mouth-covering elements when shifted, offering accessibility to the container which registers with the hole uncovered; the mentioned holes numbering more-than one.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim '1, wherein the mouth-covering elements are carried on the movable member.

3. The apparatus-as defined in claim 1, wherein the selectorelenrent is provided with as many windows as there'are holes in the-movable member and stationary indicia positioned under the selector element, viewable in part througheach of'said windows at each set position of said selector member; the 'mouth closing elements bearing dflferent indicia respectively and similar 'to indicia 1 on the' slecto'r element adjacent eachof -"said 'win-- dows respectively. a a

4. The I apparatus A defined '-in claim 1, 5 including an electrical "switch included -in series electrical ccfannection in the mentioned group. g

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, including braking means actingto stop the movable member -uponaeactuation of the motor.

"6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, -'-whereinthe successive contact points are electrically connected-re- 1,220,976 'Gilbert 27, 1917 1,925,842 Mayville Sept. 5, 1933 2,069,134 Collins et al. Jan. 26, 1937' 2,600,790 Mariani et al. .June 17, 1952. 2,795,427 Sachs June 11,1957

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