GB1262134A - Rotating reel game with masking shutter - Google Patents

Abstract

1,262,134. Fruit machine. BALLY MFG., CORP. 13 Jan., 1969 [7 Jan., 1969], No. 1976/ 69. Heading A6H. [Also in Division G4] Amusement and game apparatus of the type having a set of symbol-bearing and scoreaward-determining reels 10 to 13 and scoreaward selector switch means co-operative therewith, together with a cyclically operating reel spinning mechanism and control circuit means including master control means operating to free the mechanism for one cycle of operation to spin the reels and subsequently index the same in various symbol-displaying and score-award determining positions in which different possible award circuits are established through said selector switch means in correspondence with certain of said index positions; and score award means governed by said award circuits for actuating an award counter or register, characterized in that said apparatus further includes shutter means 60 movable to and from a normal symbol-masking position relative to at least one particular reel of the set and biased yieldingly to move from said normal position to a released non- masking position, shutter reset means co-openable with said spinning mechanism operative to reset the shutter means automatically from released to normal position during an initial phase of each operating cycle; releasable latch means automatically operative to latch the shutter means in normal position on resetting thereof; and shutter release means operative to free the shutter means for movement from normal position as aforesaid. In the particular embodiment the reels 10, 11, 12 operate as a conventional fruit machine on the first cycle of the reels, during which the fourth reel is covered by shutter means 60. At the end of the first cycle in addition to the usual alternatives of "win" or "lose" an award circuit may be established to allow a second cycle. If the last mentioned condition occurs a player may accept the award of the first cycle or operate the machine for a second cycle during which the reels 10, 11, 12 are held and reel 13 is spun and during which the symbol on the fourth reel is gradually exposed by lowering of shutter 60. The second cycle may result in the award being lost, remaining the same or being increased, depending on the award switch activated by the fourth reel. On activating the machine for the next first cycle, the shutter 60 is moved into its normal masking position over the fourth reel.