EP2149393A1 - Dispensing device with a play function - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (18) has a cylinder type sampling device (3) located in a lower part of a stake reservoir (1), and a tracking and counting device arranged in a base (4). The base is over-mounted on a horizontal mobile plate (7) mounted on an activation unit. A collecting device constituting an output opening (16) collects a stake e.g. game point (14), provided in the base. The reservoir is sub-divided into a stake storing zone and a low density zone comprising the sampling device. The base is provided with a coin tester (9).

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing device for toys or candies, money, fun function especially for children, combined with a game of skill and chance with the possibility of bonuses.

We know by US 3,751,038 or BE 688 733 tilting board skill games, in which the player must pass a ball through a labyrinth.

We know by US 6,398,216 pinball-type games in which the player strives to gain points by moving a ball on a fixed or moving horizontal table.

We know by WO 92/02910 games in which a player must reproduce, with the aid of several balls, a particular configuration on a tilting table provided with blind holes, which allows him to accumulate points.

We know by US 6,371,853 single ball electric billiard games in which a player can operate with joysticks both the game board and the game station including the player's seat.

We know by US 3,815,917 rolling ball games in which a player can by means of joysticks tilt a game table along two perpendicular axes.

We know by US 1,502,365 games in which a player can manipulate a game table manually in all directions and where an indicator displays the running time of a game.

All these games are relatively complex in their handling and can therefore give rise to relatively long games, depending on the dexterity of the games. players. In addition, the purpose of some of these games is exclusively to accumulate points, a purely moral reward, even if, in certain contexts, a high score can give rise to pecuniary benefits.

Other games combine the address with a material reward:

We know by US 6,209,868 games in which merchandise taken by a player from a hopper falls on an oscillating cart which then pours it by the action of the player over a mobile game board. The disadvantage is that stakes feeding is from a hopper is a storage equipment likely to hang relatively easily at its neck due to the phenomenon of settlement of goods contained therein.

We know by US 6,398,216 games in which a player manipulates a prize issue on a fixed board and receives a bonus if he gets certain results. Here too, hoppers are used as storage for gift items and bonuses.

An object of the invention is to give a fun and attractive aspect to the distribution of toys and / or treats of relatively low market value.

Another aspect of the invention is related to the reliability of the dispensing device: as it is intended to be placed in busy streets or near store entrances, so as to make the children wait, it is imperative that it be proof of any breakdown that may require the intervention of a technician. But the weak point of many of these machines lies in the phenomenon of blockage due to settlement. This one disturbs the regular passage of the objects intended to be put in play. Consequently, another object of the invention is to put on the market a machine whose sampling device is of great reliability.

Another object of the invention is to allow the possibility of distributing a wide variety of objects of various sizes and shapes.

The object of the invention is a dispensing device with play function comprising a base surmounted by a substantially horizontal movable plate pierced with passages. This plate is mounted on an actuating member adapted to move it in the longitudinal and transverse direction under the action of a circuit controlled by at least one actuator actuated by a player. By control device is meant in the present application any manual actuating device for example one or more joysticks, a joystick, a trackball, a touchpad etc. The movable plate is surmounted by a cage, glazed on at least one of its sides. This cage is surmounted by a reservoir revealing a reserve of objects to put into play (defined below as "stakes"). Said tank is subdivided on the one hand into a stake storage area and on the other hand into a lower low density area comprising a barrel picking device capable of taking a stake (usually a ball) both from the tank contents. This device feeds on demand a device to release stakes opening above the moving plate. The lower density stakes in the lower zone of the tank prevents a possible blockage of the rotary movement of the sampling device. A counting and locating device is disposed in the pedestal, wherein the counting device is set to credit the bonus player whenever an issue passes through the platter by one or more predetermined passages. The base is equipped with a stall recovery device by the player.

Advantageously, the movable plate has at least one obstacle capable of deflecting the trajectory of an issue.

In a particular embodiment, the movable platen has a curved surface.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one control member is a joystick.

The device of the invention is preferably provided with a counter. The advantage of such an organ is to limit the parts in the time, so that the parents accompanying a child are not discouraged by a loss of excessive time.

The stakes are advantageously hollow envelopes, essentially spherical or polyhedral, containing a gift item.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the sampling device comprises a rotating horizontal plate pierced with at least one housing of dimensions compatible with those of an issue.

Fig.1

est une vue en perspective schématique d'une forme de réalisation du dispositif distributeur suivant l'invention;

Fig.2

est une vue en perspective du plateau du dispositif distributeur de la Fig. 1, avec un exemple d'organe d'actionnement;

Fig.3

est un schéma bloc typique du dispositif distributeur selon l'invention ;

Fig. 4

est une vue détaillée de l'organe d'actionnement du dispositif distributeur de la Fig.2;

Fig.5

est une vue en perspective d'une forme de réalisation particulière du dispositif de prélèvement selon l'invention;

Fig. 6

montre un détail de la zone autour du barillet du dispositif de prélèvement selon la Fig.5;

Fig.7

est un schéma bloc typique de la commande du dispositif de prélèvement selon la forme de réalisation de la Fig.5.

These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings of the figures, in which:

Fig.1

is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention;

Fig.2

is a perspective view of the tray of the dispensing device of the Fig. 1 with an example of an actuating member;

Fig.3

is a typical block diagram of the dispensing device according to the invention;

Fig. 4

is a detailed view of the actuating member of the dispensing device of the Fig.2 ;

Fig.5

is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the sampling device according to the invention;

Fig. 6

shows a detail of the area around the barrel of the sampling device according to the Fig.5 ;

Fig.7

is a typical block diagram of the control of the sampling device according to the embodiment of the Fig.5 .

The figures are not drawn to scale. Generally, similar elements are denoted by similar references in the figures.

As we see in Fig. 1 , the dispensing device according to the invention 18 is here schematically in the form of a column whose middle portion 21 is glazed. This column is delimited at its upper part by a tank of stakes (here balls) 1 and at its lower part by a base 4. This base 4 is provided with a coin mechanism 9 which, after being powered, sets in motion a sampling device 3 which is arranged in the lower part of the bale tank 1. This sampling device 3 has the shape of a cylinder consisting of a rotating cylinder with a vertical axis and is pierced with at least two housing whose dimensions correspond to those of a bale 14. The device 3 plays a dual role: its mechanical action prevents the blocking of the bale feed 14, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, it makes it possible to select one ball at a time in the ball tank 1.

At least the front part of this tank 1 is transparent, so as to allow the player and the potential players to see the nature of the stakes, or even the The stakes are in fact generally in the form of hollow envelopes, generally spherical, as shown here, or else polyhedral and generally contain a gift article, such as a toy, a colifichet, even a treat. They can also be an unpackaged item, and anything that can roll or slide. For the sake of ease, all these issues will be defined below as "game balls". 14. When a game ball 14 falls in a target passage 12, an additional ball may constitute the bonus (we will speak in this case of ball -prime 34, in the text below). This bonus may also be for example a ticket distributed by a ticket machine 35,52 or by some other means.

The game ball 14 selected by the sampling device 3 is conveyed by a guide tube 5 in line with a movable plate 7 which constitutes the playing surface itself.

This movable plate 7 can adopt a position inclined on all sides from a substantially horizontal initial position, by means of a spindle axis 43 and a transverse axis 47 shown in FIG. Fig. 2 . These are fixed to rotation below the movable plate 7. The direction of the inclined position is determined by at least one control member (here a controller) 8 which is controlled by the player.

The movable plate 7 is provided with several passages 15, one or more of which are target passages 12.

The game ball 14 falls from the guide tube 5 as described above, on the mobile plate 7. The player can then tilt the movable plate 7 in a determined direction by operating the lever 8, in order to roll or slide the game ball 14 to one or more target passages 12.

The game is ended when the game ball 14 on the plate 7 falls in a passage 15, and automatically passes via an evacuation system 51 in front of an output detector 50 which is shown schematically at the Fig. 3 . After that, the movable platen 7, directed by a platen control 38, can no longer be tilted by an action of the player on the controller 8. The duration of the game therefore depends on the address of the player. Whatever the inclination of the plate 7, it returns to its substantially horizontal starting position when the output sensor 50 has detected the output of the game ball 14. The game ball 14 ends via the system of play. evacuation 51 and the output detector 50 in an exit opening 16 allowing the player to recover it.

According to another rule (which can be combined with the previous rule), the game is also completed when a preset time by means of an electronic control 33 associated with a screen 13 has elapsed. The screen 13 displays the time count of the current game.

When the preset time has elapsed, the plate 7 switches towards the passage 15 located in a determined corner of the plate 7. This has the effect that the ball in play rolls or slides and automatically passes via the evacuation system 51 in front the output detector 50.

The dispensing device is clearly designed so that at each party, the game ball 14 ends via the evacuation system 51 in the outlet opening 16, available to the player. The player therefore always receives the game ball 14.

In addition, depending on its skill, each player has a chance to win a bonus (for example, an extra ball 34) when the ball in play 14 falls into a target passage 12 (where it is detected by a player. target passage detector 39). As mentioned above, several types of bonuses are possible (ticket, bonus ball, etc.). The bonus system itself can give rise to many special rules.

The bonus ball 34 may for example be put into play as a regular ball. In this case, the sampling device 3 provides a game ball 14 from the tank 1. This game ball 14 which has been obtained, as additional ball 34, from the sampling device 3 as described above, falls on 7. If it is desired to limit the number of successive parts, it is possible to provide, simultaneously with obtaining this additional game ball 34, an out of service of the control member 8, the plate 7 adopting an inclined position. in the direction of the passage 15 disposed in a determined corner of the plate 7. This bullet-prime 34 then ends directly by the evacuation system 51 in the exit opening 16, where the player retrieves it. When the output detector 50 has detected the passage of the bale 34, the plate 7 directed by the platen control 38 will return to the substantially horizontal initial position. Other game rules than the previous ones can of course be implemented.

To the Fig. 3 an example of a block diagram for controlling the device according to the invention is shown. A controller 36, which may be a microprocessor or another type of controller, receives signals from the coin mechanism 9, 20, from the control device. 8, of one or more passages 12.39, the sampling device 3.19 and the output detector 50. The controller 36 delivers signals to the screen 13, 33, to the optional ticket machine 35, 52, to the sampling device 3, 19 and to the platen control 38.

To the Fig. 2 and 4 we see the plate 7 of the dispensing device 18 of the Fig. 1 , provided with a suitable actuating member 48. The plate 7 is fixed by means of plate supports 42 to a transverse axis 47. This transverse axis 47 is rotatably attached to the spindle axis 43. The axis forming The spider 43 is also rotatably attached to two supports 44 which are in turn fixed to the device according to the invention 18. A motor 40 is fixed to the plate 7 by means of a control rod 46 and a second motor 41 is fixed to the plate 7 by means of a control rod 46.

When a player introduces one or more coins in the coin mechanism 9,20 (or pays by any other means), a game ball 14 is taken from the tank 1 and then falls through the guide tube 5 on the movable plate 7 .

When the player actuates the handle 8, the controller 36 causes the platen control 38 to transmit the corresponding signals respectively to the motor 40 and / or the motor 41, which has the effect that the axis of the motor 40 and / or of the motor 41 rotates in a direction determined by the platen control 38. Thus the control rod 46, fixed on one side to the axis of the motor 40 and the other to the plate 7, and / or the rod 46 on one side to the axis of the motor 41 and the other to the plate 7 perform a downward or upward movement in the direction in which the player actuates the controller 8. Thus, the player has the opportunity move the plate 7 in all directions in order to roll or slide the game ball 14 to one or more target passages 12. Of course, the transverse axis 47 and the spider pin 43 may be replaced for example by a spherical joint or by any other similar device.

To complicate the task of the player, the movable plate may be strewn with various obstacles, such as one or more terminals, not shown, or have a warped surface.

The number of balls in play or any other indication may be displayed by a counter on the screen 13.

The Fig. 5 In particular, when the reservoir 1 is filled with game balls 14, these rest on a bottom 60 constituted by a tilting ball guide plate and then pass through. through a slot defined by the lower edge of the bale guide plate 60 and a game bale loosening device 71. The game bales 14 then end on a feed tray 73 in which the rotary picking device 3 is inserted. In the course of the games, the balls 14 may become crowded in the slot due to their accumulation and mutual coefficient of friction, thus causing a blocking of the game balls 14. The time of appearance of a such a settlement phenomenon and therefore the number of play balls 14 leading to the feed tray 73 and to the sampling device 3 are a function of the inclination of the plate 60. On the other hand, it is desirable to limit the number of balls. of game balls on the sampling device 3,19 so that the latter can be driven without problems around a central axis on 360 ° in both directions by a relatively low power motor 61 (which is held by a fastener 62). As a result, the inclination of the bale guide plate 60 is adjustable by means of a tilting member 84, (for example an eccentric situated under this latter plate), which makes it possible to increase or decrease the width of the slot and thus increase or decrease the number of bullets ending in the lower zone. An optimal inclination can thus be determined for each type of game ball according to its shape, dimensional, tribological, weight and other characteristics. The sampling device 3 has at least two ball housings 63, here diametrically opposed and equidistant from its axis of rotation. It is controlled so as to adopt at least two positions in relation to the position of the dwellings. Bale housings 63 may be extended by short ball-coaching tubing 82 and opening over a bale transport tray 74. The advantage of this arrangement is that it is thus available between the pick-up device. 3 and the tray 74, a technical space for easy mounting and maintenance of bullet 81.83 and 80 position detectors described below.

An operating mode of the sampling device 3 according to this last embodiment is described below with reference to the Fig. 5 to 7 .

When the coin mechanism 9 at the Fig.1 is powered, the motor 61 and thus the sampling device 3 rotates through its control 19 in one direction or the other of a starting position determined by a position detector 80 to a first 180 ° position . It goes without saying that we can multiply the number of housing and adapt accordingly the displacement angle of the sampling device 3, to maximize the probability of collecting one or more balls 14 in a minimum of movement. The position detector is fixed on the bale transport tray 74. During this 180 ° rotation of the sampling device 3, a maximum of two game balls 14, among those present, may fall into the housing 63, d. where they pass through tubings 82, which drive them onto the bale transport tray 74. Thus, the maximum of two bales can be driven during said 180 ° rotation to the first position by rolling or sliding, while describing a a circle passing through the center of an orifice in the plate 74, said orifice being in communication with the device 5 for release of stake. The fall of the game ball 14 in the guide tube 5 is detected by bullet detectors 81 and / or 83. These are fixed in said technical space on the bullet transport tray 74 in front of said communicating orifice. with the guide tube 5. The bullet detectors 81 and / or 83 deliver a signal to the control of the sampling device 19 which in turn delivers a signal to the controller 36 of the Fig. 3 advising that the ball 14 is on the plate 7, so that the game can begin. The control of the sampling device 19 stops the motor 61 and thus also the sampling device 3 on the first 180 ° position in one direction or the other, waiting for a new task. Simultaneously, the position detector 80 disposed on the bale transport tray 74 in front of the orifice of the guide tube delivers a signal to the control of the sampling device 19 so that the latter knows what will be the next position of the sampling device. 3 a game ball 14 is present or not in the coach 82 concerned.

When the bullet detectors 81 and / or 83 do not detect a game ball during the rotation of the sampling device 3 180 ° in one direction or the other, the control 19 thereof indicates a second position to 360 ° in one direction or the other to the motor 61, this position to be detected by the position detector 80. The motor 61 and therefore the sampling device 3 do not then stop at the first 180 ° position , but continue their rotation to the second position, which corresponds to the extreme position of the engine 61. In the event of ball detection, the sampling device 3 operates for the remainder as exposed for the initial rotation over 180 °.

When the bullet detectors 81 and / or 83 do not detect a game ball during the rotation of the sampling device 3 over 360 °, the control 19 thereof stops the motor 61 and therefore also the sampling device 3, and immediately indicates to them a new first position at 180 °, this position to be detected by the position detector 80. Simultaneously with the rotation towards this new first position, the control 19 of the sampling system activates a detachment mechanism 70 associated with the device unseating 71, (for example a vibration generator associated with a vibrating tray). This has the consequence that the settlement and therefore the blockage in the passage comprised between the lower edge of the ball guide plate 60 and the device 71 for relaxing game balls disappear and a limited number of balls 14 ends on the plateau. 73. As already stated, this number of bales 14 depends directly on the setting of the device 84. In the event of ball detection, the sampling device 3 functions as exposed for the first 180 ° rotation, except that the control of the sampling device 19 deactivates the first device at 180 °. overeating 71.

The number of starts during a part is predetermined, which makes it possible to prevent the control 19 of the sampling device 3 from activating the sampling device 3 indefinitely.

To the Fig. 7 there is shown an exemplary block diagram for the control of the sampling device 3. The control 19 of the sampling device 3, which may be a microprocessor or another type of controller, receives signals from the position detector 80 as well as issue detectors 81,83. The control 19 delivers signals to the motor 61 and to the stripping mechanism 70.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and described above. Thus, although the dispensing device has been shown in the form of a substantially parallelepipedal column, it goes without saying that it could equally well be carried out with a cylindrical column or any other suitable form. The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. Furthermore, other rules of play than the previous ones can be implemented in the dispensing device according to the invention.

Claims (13)

A dispensing device with play function (18) comprising a base (4) surmounted by a substantially horizontal movable plate (7) pierced with passages (15), said plate being mounted on an actuating member (48) adapted to the moving in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction under the action of a circuit controlled by at least one control member (8) actuated by a player, said dispensing device (18) further comprising: - A cage (21) mounted on the movable plate (7), glazed on at least one of its sides, and surmounted by a reservoir (1) revealing a stakes reserve (14); - A sampling device (3) located in the lower part of the tank (1), able to collect a stake (14) at a time of the contents of the tank (1), and supplying a demand device (5) to release stake (14) opening above the movable plate (7); a counting and marking device disposed in the base (4), this counting device being set so as to credit the bonus player (34) whenever an issue (14) passes through the board (7) by one or more predetermined target passages (12); - a device (16) stakes recovery (14) provided in the base (4), characterized in that said sampling device (3) is of the barrel type and in that the reservoir (1) is subdivided on the one hand into an issue storage area and on the other hand into a zone of lesser density comprising the sampling device (3). A dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrel of the dispensing device sampling (3) has a horizontal upper surface pierced with at least one housing of dimensions compatible with those of stake (14). A dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: - a tilting plate (60) forming the bottom of said tank (1) and having an adjustable tilt angle by means of a tilting member (84) to optimize the number of stakes (14) ending on an underlying feed plate (73) comprising the barrel-sampling device (3), said device (3) having at least two housings 63 able to drive, during its rotation, stakes (14) towards the device (5) release of stake (14); - a detachment member (71). A dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least two housings are diametrically opposed. A dispensing device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least two housings (63) are each extended by a vertical tubing (82) opening on an underlying staging platform (74) and adapted to causing a stake (74) to an orifice in said plate (74), said hole being in communication with the stake release device (5) (14). A dispensing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the disassembling member (71) is a vibrating tray. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable plate (7) has at least one obstacle capable of deflecting the trajectory of a stake (14). A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable plate (7) has a curved surface. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control member (8) is a joystick. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a counter. A dispensing device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the stakes (14) are hollow envelopes, substantially spherical or polyhedral. A dispenser device according to claim 6, characterized in that the stakes (14) contain a gift item. A dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating member (48) comprises: a) a first motor (40) and a second motor (41) b) a control rod (46) connected to each of these motors (41,40) and able to move the plate (7) in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction respectively around c) a rotary spindle (43) and d) a transverse rotary axis (47).

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