1328502 Fruit machine J W PROCTOR 12 Oct 1970 [10 July 1969] 34711/69 Heading G4V A coin-operated fruit machine including one or more rows of symbols allows a player to play, within a single game and for a single initial stake, a series of at least three part games. The series is terminated and a prize of money, tokens or free games credited, if the player obtains a winning combination of symbols. A player pulls a handle to initiate each part game (or automatic initiation occurs) and to set a number of symbolbearing wheels in motion until stopped automatically or by a player. One or more wheels may be held against rotation in a part game (or one or more wheels selected for rotation); the machine is described as preventing a player from using the same hold in successive part games, or any hold after a win. Specification 1,233,081 is referred to as allowing the same hold to be used in consecutive part games. Three part games are purchased for a sixpence or token, while an inserted shilling or florin is exchanged for tokens. The machine can normally provide one game per coin or token, series of part games being allowed as a prize or at random. The wheels.-Three wheels R (Fig. 1), each bearing twenty symbols S of eight different kinds, are mounted on a common drive shaft 1, each wheel being connected to a notched disc 3 associated with a stop and solenoid 5 and fixed plate 9. Each plate 9 carries a set of pairs of contacts 10, each pair corresponding to one symbol S on the associated wheel R, and a second set of pairs of contacts T, each pair corresponding to a symbol kind (e.g. a lemon) on the wheel. The contacts 10 and T are interconnected so that when a pair of the contacts 10 (e.g. lemon) are bridged by interconnected wipers 11, the lemon contacts of T are similarly bridged. On energization of solenoid 5, the arm is withdrawn from the associated notched disc 3 to allow the associated wheel R to rotate, and the wipers 11 to travel over the contacts 10 Deenergization of solenoid 5 stops the rotation of the disc 3 and of the wheel R through a friction clutch F. The wheel position is fed through the contacts T to a prize controlling relay circuit (see Fig. 2). The plates 9 are interconnected in such a manner (see boards 12-14, Fig. 2) that if preselected winning rows of symbols have been obtained, one of pay relays 21-23 is energized to close a respective switch 58-60. General operation.-An inserted sixpence operates a microswitch 27 to activate a credit unit motor 43. The motor 43 drives a shaft carrying a disc having three notches, which operate a switch 42 three times to clock up three credits (part games) on a credit counter. A motor 2 is activated to continuously drive the wheel drive shaft 1 (Fig. 1). A part game is started by pulling a handle to close a microswitch 48 (Fig. 2) and start a control motor 47. The motor 47 drives a cam-shaft having cams which operate a number of switches sequentially as follows: (a) A switch 46 is opened to deenergize a coin lock-out relay 45 to move a spring-urged arm across the coin slot and prevent further coin insertion; (b) a switch 53 energizes a counter step-back coil 44 to index the credit counter back by one game; (c) switches 54-56 energize solenoids 6-8 respectively to withdraw the stops 5 (Fig. 1) and allow the wheels R to rotate. After a short time, the switches 54-56 (Fig. 2) are released to stop the wheel rotation; (d) a switch 57 is closed. If a winning row of symbols has been obtained, a payout unit motor 61 is therefore activated through a switch 58, 59 or 60. When activated the motor 61 drives a shaft carrying notched discs to operate switches 62-66 and so pulse a token payout solenoid 79. A prize token is dispensed for each pulse, and the total recorded on a payout meter 80. Hold system.-A hold button energizes a relay 84, 85 or 86 to open a switch in the current supply line to the associated wheel solenoid 6, 7 or 8. The button is locked-in for the duration of the part game, and opens a switch 94, 95 or 96. Holding is prevented until a switch 91 is closed by an anti-hold relay 90 energized through momentary closing of a switch 92 by the control motor 47, and locks in through a switch 93. At the end of a part game, the control motor 47 opens a switch 98 for the duration of the following part game. Thus if a switch 94, 95 or 96 has also been opened due to a hold operation, the antihold relay 90 cannot be locked in through the switch 93. This prevents the same hold operation in successive part games, or following a winning combination, when a switch 99 is opened so that antihold relay 90 cannot be energized. Modified hold system.-The hold system may be modified to only allow a holding operation during the second or third part games. A relay (104) (Fig. 3, not reproduced) controls the power supply to the antihold relay 90 under the action of a stepping relay (100). The wiper (101) of the stepping relay (100) is moved anticlockwise between its contacts (1) to (4) for successive part games, by the step-back coil 44 (Fig. 2) and is returned to the zero position (contact (1)) at the end of the series by a pulse applied to contact (4) from the coin slot blocking mechanism 45, 46, or alternatively by the payout unit motor 61 after a winning line. When the wiper (101) (Fig. 3) is at contact (1), the relay (104) is energized to break the current supply to the antihold relay 90. Alternatively, when the wiper (101) is at contacts two or three, the antihold relay 90 may be energized. A display system (see Fig. 4, not reproduced) is provided to indicate the part game about to be played, and during which games a hold may be employed. The display is illuminated by the stepping relay (100). Alternatively, a clock-like indicator or bell/buzzer are used. Change giving.-An inserted shilling or florin closes a microswitch 28 or 29 (Fig. 2) respectively to energize the credit unit motor 43 and pulse the token pay-out solenoid 79 an oppropriate number of times, resulting in a pay-out of tokens.