GB2060407A - Guided missile game - Google Patents

Abstract

A game has a motor 112 for moving two parallel belts 322, 324 bearing targets in opposite directions, the motor being additionally coupled to a mechanism which propels an illuminated projectile image 456 along a frame 350 towards the belts when a firing plunger is pressed. A manually-operated mechanism 44 steers the projectile laterally of the targets, by moving the frame 350, and a lamp operates with slots 336 in the belts for indicating when the projectile coincides with a target. A scoring mechanism depicts the number of times the projectile has coincided with a target, and a timer mechanism turns off the motor to stop further play. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Amusement device The present invention relates to an amusement device having a window through which is visible two belts having indicia disposed thereon resembling target aircraft. The amusement device is provided with a firing plunger or button which, when depressed, allows the image of a projectile resembling an illuminated missile to be slowly propelled towards the moving targets. A steering mechanism is provided to allow the missile to be guided towards a target, and an electrically operated bulls-eye mechanism activates a flashing light beneath the target to signify a "hit". A timer mechanism limits the duration of play, while a scoring mechanism is provided to signify the number of "hits" scored during the time available.

According to the present invention there is provided an amusement device, comprising: a casing having first and second ends, first and second sides, and an opening therein; a first belt having indicia thereon mounted for movement within said casing adjacent said second end, said first belt being visible through said opening and extending from a position adjacent said first side to a position adjacent said second side; a motor mounted within said casing; first means operatively connecting said motor to said first belt for moving said first belt; a frame mounted for movement between said first and second sides of said casing, said frame being elongated and extending from a position adjacent said first end of said casing towards said first belt at an angle substantially perpendicular thereto; second means operatively connected to said frame for manually moving said frame between said first and second sides of said casing; third means movably mounted on said frame and normally oriented towards said first end of said casing for simulating the image of a projectile visible through said opening; a button movably mounted on said casing; and fourth means operatively connecting said motor and said third means for moving said third means along said frame towards said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top perspective view of the casing of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the present invention with the top casing removed, illustrating generally the motion of the target belts and the motion resulting when the steering mechanism is operated; Figure 3 is a top plane view illustrating generally the lateral motion of the movable frame when the steering mechanism is activated, the vertical motion of the missile image following depression of the firing plunger, the motion of the cam periodically closing to flash the bulls-eye lamp, and the motion of the on-off switch.

Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating how the motor drives the target belts, activates the bulls-eye flashing switch, and provides either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation following depression of the firing plunger; Figure 5 is a top view of the solenoid and related structures for producing rotation to move the missile image following depression of the firing plunger; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5, illustrating generally one position for producing clockwise rotation and another position for producing counter-clockwise rotation;; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the solenoid assembly illustrating generally the rotation of the element on which are located the teeth engaged by the hook moved by the solenoid, and the motion of the apparatus which un-locks the solenoid and the firing plunger when the missile image is returned to its initial position; Figure 8 is an exploded view of the timer mechanism; Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the movable frame on which are slidably mounted both the mechanism for producing the missile image and the mechanism for indicating an "hit"; Figure 10 illustrates a second configuration of the elements illustrated in Figure 9; Figure 11 is an exploded view illustrating generally the movable frame and its relation to the steering mechanism and the mechanisms for producing the missile image and indicating a "hit";; Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 of Figure 10, illustrating generally how the spiral cams move the mechanism which produces the missile image either toward or away from the target belts; Figure 13 is an exploded view illustrating how the movement of the frame is communicated to the switch plate on which are positioned switch contacts which close when openings are encountered in the target belts; Figure 1 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of Figure 3; and Figure 1 5 is a stylized schematic diagram illustrating the electrical system employed in the present invention.

The amusement device of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1, and includes a top case 20 and a bottom case 22 joined in an appropriate fashion, as by the use of screws. Bottom case 22 is provided with latching door 24 (not illustrated) allowing access to battery compartment 26 (see Figure 2).Top case 20 is provided with opening 28, which is covered by transparent window 30 permanently attached to top case 20; opening 32 through which switch activating lever 34 protrudes; opening 36 through which fire plunger 38 protrudes; opening 40 (not illustrated) through which extends steering column 42 (see Figure 2) on which steering knob 44 is fixedly mounted, as by a screw extending to column 42; opening 46 through which scoring wheels 48 and 50 are visible (see Figure 2); opening 52 (not illustrated) giving access to reset wheel 54 (see Figure 2); and opening 56 through which timer wheel 58 having pointer 60 painted thereon is visible. It will be noted that the plastic forming top case 20 has indentation 62 in which opening 64 is provided to allow access to timer wheel 58 so that it may be reset.

Turning now to Figure 2, the motor and transmission mechanism 64 employed in the present amusement device are enclosed within transmission subchassis 66, which is fastened to bottom case 22 in an appropriate manner such as by the use of screws. The plastic forming subchassis 66 is provided with flanges 68 (not shown) for guiding plastic switch member 70, from which switch activating lever 34 extends, between an open position as illustrated in Figure 2 and a closed position which results when lever 34 is pushed to the right (from the perspective of Figure 2) so that metallic elements 72 fixedly mounted to switch member 70 contacts 74 extending into the interior of battery compartment 26 to make electrical connection with the batteries contained therein.Subchassis 66 is also provided with cylindrical projection 76 (also see Figure 4) having a hole 78 (not illustrated) at the bottom thereof allowing access to the interior of subchassis 66. Subchassis 66 is also provided with opening 80 (not shown) through which extends a shaft 82 on which gear 84 is fixedly mounted. Member 86 is fixedly mounted to subchassis 66 by screw 88 and by projection 90, which is molded from a plastic forming subchassis 66 and extends through hole 92 in member 86.

Flexible finger 94 extending from member 86 engages gear 84 to provide a drag thereon for reasons to be subsequently discussed. Subchassis 66 is also provided with hole 96 (not shown) through which extends shaft 98 (see Figure 8) on which timer wheel 58 is fixedly mounted. And, finally, subchassis 66 is provided with electrical terminals 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, and 110 for use with the electrical circuitry discussed hereafter. In addition to the features discussed above, subchassis 66 is provided with a variety of mounting holes, flanges, braces, hooks, openings for access to gears, and other incidental features which need not be discussed since they are not necessary for understanding the present invention and, moreover, their presence would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

Turning now to Figure 4, motor 112 is fixedly mounted within walls provided for that purpose within subchassis 66. Similarly, shafts 114 and 11 6 are journalled for rotation in subchassis 66, and shaft 118 is journalled for rotation at right angles to shafts 116 and 114. Gear 120, which is fixedly mounted to motor shaft 122, meshes with crown gear 124, which is fixedly mounted to shaft 114. Gear 126, in turn, is also mounted on shaft 114 and meshes with gear 128, which, along with worm gear 130, is fixedly attached to shaft 1 6.

Worm gear 130, in turn, meshes with gear 132 fixedly attached to shaft 1 18. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that clockwise rotation of motor shaft 122 is transmitted via gear 120 to crown gear 124, which rotates clockwise. This clockwise rotation is transmitted via gear 126 to meshing gear 128, which rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Worm gear 130 transmits this rotation to gear 132, which rotates in the clockwise direction. As will be discussed later, this rotation is transferred by shaft 118 to timer mechanism 134 (see Figure 8), which includes timer wheel 58. Shaft 118 also activate bulls-eye lamp flashing switch 136.Cam 138 of switch 136 is fixedly attached to shaft 11 8, and is positioned to periodically engage resilient metal element 139 which extends from the walls of subchassis 66, and force it against metallic element 140, which is also mounted upon sub chassis 66. Thus, the rotation of shaft 11 8 periodically closes switch 136. Element 140 is electrically connected to resilient element 142.

With continuing reference to Figure 4, the position of transmission element 144 determines which gear trains are driven by motor 112.

Element 144 is rotatably mounted on shaft 114 and spaced apart from crown gear 124 by spacer 146. The bottom of element 144 is provided with shafts 148 and 150 on which gears 152 and 154, respectively, are rotatably mounted. The purpose of teeth 156 and 1 58, provided around the periphery of element 144, will be discussed later in conjunction with Figure 7. For present purposes, however, it should be observed that the orientation of gears 1 52 and 1 54 will vary depending upon whether hook 1 60 (see Figure 7) engages tooth 156 or 158.

With continuing reference to Figure 4, gear 162 is fixedly mounted to shaft 114 and meshes with both gears 1 52 and 1 54. These latter gears are retained upon shafts 148 and 150, respectively, by being sandwiched between element 144 and subchassis 66. Shafts 164, 166, 168, and 170 are journalled for rotation in subchassis 66. Gears 172 and 174 are fixedly mounted to shaft 164, with gear 172 meshing with gear 152 when hook 160 engages tooth 156, and with gear 174 meshing with crown gear 176 fixedly mounted to shaft 166. Similarly, gear 178 fixedly mounted to shaft 166 meshes with gear 180, which, along with gear 182, is fixedly mounted to shaft 168.

Gears 184 and 186 are fixedly mounted to shaft 170, with gear 186 meshing with gear 182. As will be discussed later in conjunction with Figure 3, gear 1 84 drives target mechanism 188.

With continuing reference to Figure 4, shaft 190, on which gear 192 is fixedly mounted, and shaft 194, on which gears 196 and 198 are fixedly mounted at positions separated by spacer 200, are also journalled for rotation within subchassis 66. Cup 206 (not shown) molded into the plastic forming subchassis 66 rotatably supports the bottom end of shaft 204, with the upper end of this shaft movably extending through hole 78 (not shown) through cylindrical projection 76. Spacer 206, disc 208, gear 212, and gear 214 are fixedly mounted on shaft 204. Spring 216 coils around the bottom end of shaft 204 to bias this shaft upward to the extent permitted by spacer 206. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this construction not only mounts shaft 204 for rotation, but also allows reciprocal movement along the axis of shaft 204.Manual depression of button 38 allows rod 211 extending from the interior thereof to engage the upper end of shaft 204 to force shaft 204 downward so that gear 212 meshes with gear 196. When shaft 204 is not depressed, however, rotary motion is not transmitted between gears 196 and 212. Gear 214, which is elongated, meshes with gear 192 regardless of whether shaft 204 is depressed or not.

With continuing reference to Figure 4, it will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that clockwise rotation of motor shaft 122 results in clockwise rotation of shaft 11 4, and that this motion is transmitted via gear 1 62 to gear 154, which rotates in the counter-clockwise direction.

When hook 160 engages tooth 156, gear 154 meshes with gear 198, so that the counterclockwise rotation of gear 1 54 rotates shaft 1 94 in the clockwise direction. Unless shaft 204 is suppressed, the rotary motion goes no further. If shaft 204 is depressed, however, gear 196 meshes with gear 212 to rotate shaft 204 and gear 214 affixed thereto in the counter-clockwise direction. This motion is transmitted as clockwise rotation via gear 1 92 to shaft 1 90. Gear 192 is used to power missile drive mechanism 218, as will be discussed later in conjunction with Figure 11.

With reference now to both Figures 4 and 7, when hook 1 60 is raised so that it no longer engages tooth 156, element 144 will tend to move in the clockwise direction due to frictional engagement with shaft 114. This clockwise rotation of element 144 is stopped when hook 1 60 engages tooth 158, at which point gear 1 54 meshes with gear 220, which is journalled for rotation at the base of subchassis 66 at a position meshing with gear 198. Gear 220 has the effect of reversing the direction of rotation imparted to gear 198. That is, when hook 1 60 engages tooth 156, gear 1 54 directly engages gear 198 to drive the latter gear in the clockwise direction.When tooth 160 engages tooth 1 58, however, gear 1 54 rotates gear 220, which in turn rotates gear 198 in the counter-clockwise direction. The net result is that gear 192 rotates in the clockwise direction when hook 160 engages tooth 1 56 and shaft 204 is depressed, and gear 192 rotates in the counterclockwise direction when hook 1 60 engages tooth 158 and shaft 204 is depressed. No motion is transmitted to gear 1 92 at all, it will be recalled, when shaft 204 is not depressed.

With continuing reference to Figure 4, shafts 222 and 82 are journalled for rotation in subchassis 66, with the upper end of shaft 82 extending outside of subchassis 66 to fixedly support gear 84. Gears 224 and 226 are fixedly mounted to shaft 222, and gear 228, which meshes with gear 226, is fixedly attached to shaft 82. Gear 1 52 meshes with gear 224 when hook 1 60 engages tooth 158, and the rotary motion of gear 1 52 is transmitted to shaft 222 via gear 224 and thence, via gears 226 and 228, to shaft 82.

Flexible finger 94 frictionally engages gear 84 to produce a buzzing sound and to produce a drag upon gear 1 52, when hook 1 60 engages tooth 158, to balance the drag produced when hook 10 engages tooth 1 56 and gear 1 52 meshes with gear 1 72 to drive the target mechanism.

With continuing reference to Figures 4 and 7, when hook 160 is lowered, after engaging tooth 158, frictional forces will rotate element 144 in the clockwise direction until tooth 1 56 is rotated into position to engage hook 1 60 in its lowered position. Rack of teeth 230 is molded into the plastic forming subchassis 66 in a position to mesh with gears 1 52 and 1 54 to supplement the frictional forces rotating element 144.

Turning next to Figures 5, 6, and 7, the mechanism for operation hook 1 60 in the manner previously described will now be explained.

Solenoid 230 includes electromagnet 232 fixedly attached to mounting bracket 234, and armature 236 having holes 240. Armature 236 is provided with hook 244 for anchoring one end of spring 246, the other end of which may be anchored by a hook extending from the plastic forming subchassis 66 or by a hook provided upon mounting bracket 234. Element 248 is fixedly mounted to armature 236 by mounting posts 238, which extend through holes 240 in armature 236, and by tab 252, which is provided by armature 236 and bends over to secure element 248.

Armature 236 and element 248 are thus mounted for movement together with mounting posts 238 being suitably journalled for rotation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that activation of solenoid 230, by applying electricity to leads 254 extending from electromagnet 232, causes armature 236 to be rotated towards electromagnet 232 against the restoring force of spring 246 and thereby raises hook 1 60 from the position shown in Figure 7 to a raised position where hook 160 may engage tooth 1 58.

With continuing reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7, latching element 256 is provided with mounting tabs 258 having mounting holes 260 therein, step 262, and hook 264. Element 256 is rotatably secured above solenoid 230 by mounting pin 266, which may be secured either by the plastic forming subchassis 66 or by an extension from solenoid mounting bracket 234.

Spring 268 extends from hook 357 to hook 270 (not shown) provided either on subchassis 66 or on an extension from mounting bracket 234. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, when electromagnet 232 is energized to attract armature 236, spring 256 will draw latching element 256 downward so that step 262 locks hook 1 60 in the raised position, where it may encounter tooth 1 58, even after solenoid 230 is deactivated. When latching element 256 is raised, however, step 262 releases element 248 and allows spring 246 to return hook 1 60 to its lowered position. In Figure 6 the lowered position is illustrated in solid lines, while dotted lines illustrate the configuration of the elements after solenoid 230 has been activated and armature 236 is locked into place by latching element 256.

With continuing reference to Figures 5 and 7, movable plate 272 is provided with mounting posts 274 for pivotably mounting plate 272 in bottom case 22. Releasing member 284 is provided with hook 276, mounting hole 278, and arms 280 and 282. Member 284 is pivotably mounted by posts 285 protruding from the plastic forming subchassis 66, and end 284a extends outside subchassis 66 and is positioned to be engaged by corner 286 of plate 272. One end of spring 288 is anchored to hook , and the other end of spring 288 is tethered to hook 290 (not shown) made of the plastic forming subchassis 66. Spring 288 normally urges end 284a of member 284 in the counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 5. If shaft 204 is not depressed, arm 282 impinges upon spacer 206 to arrest the counter-clockwise progress of member 284.

When shaft 204 is depressed, however, this impediment is removed and arm 282 continues its counter-clockwise motion to lock shaft 204 in its depressed state. It will be recalled that, when shaft 204 is depressed, either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation is imparted to gear 192, depending upon the position of hook 1 60.

Shaft 204 remains in the depressed state until corner 286 of movable plate 272 is rotated against end 284a of releasing member 284 to rotate end 284a thereof in the clockwise direction against the biasing force of spring 288. Such clockwise rotation of end 284a disengages arm 282 from spacer 206, allowing shaft 204 to pop up to its raised position under the restoring force of spring 216, and also rotates arm 280 of member 284 against abutment 292 provided on latching element 256. The force of arm 280 against abutment 292, in turn, exerts a torque on latching element 256, lifting the latter element against the restoring force of spring 268 to unlock armature 236 and allow hook 1 60 to return to its lowered position.

It is convenient, at this point, to briefly summarize some of the features previously discussed. The rotary motion of motor 112 is continuously transmitted to shaft 11 8, thereby continually operating timer mechanism 34 and bulls-eye lamp flashing switch 136. When button 38 is depressed, shaft 204 is pushed to its lowered position and retained there by arm 282 until plate 272 is rotated against end 284a of member 284. In this lowered position, either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation is imparted to gear 192, depending upon whether tooth 1 56 or tooth 1 58 engages hook 1 60. The rotation of gear 1 92 is in the counter-clockwise direction if tooth 158 is engaged, and gear 84 is rotated against flexible finger 94.In contrast, gear 192 rotates in the clockwise direction when tooth 156 is engaged by hook 160, and gear 184 is rotated to impart motion to missile drive mechanism 218. Hook 160 engages tooth 156 until solenoid 230 is activated, at which point hook 160 is raised and locked into position by latching element 256, and transmission element 144 rotates tooth 1 58 into engagement with hook 160. Hook 1 60 is unlocked when corner 286 of plate 272 is rotated against end 284a of releasing member 284. Hook 1 60 is then restored to its lowered position, and transmission element 144 rotates until tooth 156 is again engaged by hook 160.Regardless of whether tooth 156 or 158 is engaged by hook 160, rotation of plate 272 against releasing member 284 will retract arm 282 from spacer 206, allowing spring 216 to raise shaft 204 from its lowered position and thereby discontinue rotation of gear 192.

With reference next to Figure 3, and occasional reference to Figure 13, the operation of target mechanism 188 will now be described. Mounting frame 294 is fixedly attached to bottom case 22, but is spaced apart therefrom to allow movement of switch plate 296 between bottom case 22.and frame 294. Frame 294 is provided with a base 298 and upstanding walls 300 and 302 extending upward therefrom. Shafts 304 and 304a extend parallel to each other between walls 300 and 302.

Spools 306 and 308 are rotatably mounted on shaft 304, and gears 310 and 312 are affixed, respectively, to these spools. Spools 314 and 31 6 having retaining flanges 318 and 320, respectively, are rotatably mounted on shaft 304a.

Transparent, insulating belts 322 and 324 are wrapped over the aforesaid spools and extend under base 298, so that belts 322 and 324 movably encircle mounting frame 294. Belt 324 is retained upon spools 316 and 314 by gear 310, flange 318, and spacer discs 326 mounted on shafts 304 and 304a. Similarly, belt 322 is retained by discs 326, gear 312, and flange 320.

Belt 324 is provided with sprocket holes 328a for engagement with projections 328 provided on spool 306, and, similarly, belt 322 is provided with sprocket holes 330 for engagement with projections 332 provided on spool 308. Target indicia 334 are painted on belts 322 and 324, which are also provided with openings 336. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that rotation gear 310 moves belt 324, along with indicia 334 and openings 336 provided thereon. Similarly, rotation of gear 312 moves belt 322.

With continuing reference to Figure 3, shaft 338 is mounted for rotation in bottom case 22.

Gears 340, 342, and 344 are fixedly mounted on shaft 338, with gear 340 meshing with gear 184, and gear 342 meshing with gear 310. Gear 346 is mounted for rotation in bottom case 22, and meshes with gear 344 and gear 312. The inclusion of gear 346 allows belts 322 and 324 to move in different directions and with different speeds.

With continuing reference to Figure 3 and 11, and occasional reference to Figures 2 and 13, the operation of steering mechanism 348, which moves the missile horizontaily with respect to Figure 3, will now be described. Movable frame 350 is guided in its motion by flanges (not shown), which extend from bottom case 22 to facilitate horizontal movement of member 350. Member 352 is provided with tabs 354 having screw holes 356 for attachment to frame 350, and with rack of teeth 358. Steering column 42 includes shaft 360 having elements 362 and 364 fixedly mounted at either end thereof. Between these elements are friction-fitted gear 366 and spring 368, which forces gear 366 against element 362 to keep gear 366 from rotating with respect to shaft 360 unless steering knob 44 is turned with excessive force. Thus, spring 368 prevents damage to steering mechanism 348.Steering column 42 extends through opening 40 (not illustrated) in top case 20, with element 364 being rotatably retained within cup 370 (not illustrated) molded into the plastic forming bottom case 22 beneath opening 40. Gear 366 meshes with rack of teeth 358, so that the horizontal position of frame 350 between the sides of the casing is controlled by rotation of steering knob 44. One side of movable frame 350 is provided with holes 372, one of which is illustrated in Figure 11, through which shaft 374 rotatably extends. Gear 376 is fixedly mounted at one end of shaft 374 (see Figure 11), while gear 378 (see Figure 3) is fixedly mounted at the other end of shaft 374. As is illustrated in Figure 3, rack of teeth 380 extends from bottom case 22 to mesh with gear 376, and rack of teeth 382 extend from case 22 to mesh with gear 378.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that gears 376 and 378, coupled by shaft 374, facilitate horizontal movement of frame 350 by insuring that both ends thereof move concurrently when steering knob 44 is rotated.

With primary reference now to Figure 11, and occasional reference to Figure 3, missile drive mechanism 218 will now be described. Square rod 384 extends through openings 386 on either side of movable frame 350, and is loosely clamped into place by member 352, which is mounted on frame 350 by screw 386 (not illustrated), which extends through screw hole 354 in member 352 into screw hole 388 in frame 350, and screw 390 (not illustrated), which extends through screw hole 356 in member 352 to screw hole 392 in frame 350. Gear 394, which has a square opening 396 conforming to the cross section of rod 384, is slidably mounted on rod 384 and retained by walls 398 made of the plastic forming frame 350. Crown gear 400 is fixedly mounted at one end of rod 384 and meshes with gear 192.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this construction allows the rotation of gear 192 to be imparted to gear 394, regardless of the horizontal position of movable frame 350.

With continuing reference to Figure 11 , first cylindrical element 402 is provided with mounting posts 404 at one end thereof, and gear 406 at the other. Central portion 408 of element 402 has a reduced diameter, and first spiral cam 410, which may be provided in the form of a spiral wire, is disposed around central portion 408 from bottom cam 412 to top cam 414. First element 402 is rotatably mounted in movable frame 305, with posts 404 extending into hole 41 6 and with gear 406 retained between walls 418 and 420.

Similarly, second cylindrical element 422 is provided with mounting posts 424 at one end and gear 426 at the other, with crown gear 428 extending from the surface of gear 426. Second spiral cam 430, which has fewer windings than first spiral cam 410, extends along central portion 432 from bottom cam 434 to top cam 436 (not illustrated). Second cylindrical element 422 is rotatably mounted parallel to first cylindrical element 402, with mounting posts 424 extending into hole 438 in frame 350 and with gears 426 and 428 retained in the space provided between wall 420 and wall 438. With cylindrical element 402 and 422 mounted as described, gear 394 meshes with crown gear 428, and gear 426 meshes with gear 406.It will be apparent that when rod 384 is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction, for example, second cylindrical element 422 will rotate in the clockwise direction while first cylindrical element 402 will rotate in the counter-clockwise direction.

With continuing reference to Figure 11, one side 440 of movable frame 350 is provided with flange 442, while the other side 444 of frame 350 is provided with a corresponding flange 446.

Missile element 448 is provided with fingers 450 to engage flanges 442 and 446 to slidably mount element 448 on frame 350. Missile element 448 is also provided with flexible snapping members 452 to retain flanges 454 provided on lamp cover 456, which has an opening 458 on the top thereof resembling the outline of a missile. Translucent paper 460 (not illustrated) may be lodged within lamp cover 456 to diffuse the light emitted from missile lamp 462, which is mounted on movable element 464. Member 464 is provided with cams 466 and 468, which corresponds to cam 466 but is mounted on the side of member 464 not visible in Figure 11, tongue 470, and mounting posts 472, which are lodged between upstanding walls 474 provided on missile element 448 to movably mount missile element 464 to missile element 448.Metallic element 476 is mounted to the side of member 464, and one lead 478 of missile lamp 462 is electrically connected thereto. Elongated cam 480 is provided on movable frame 350 between first and second cylindrical elements 402 and 422. It will be apparent that tongue 470 of member 464 will be on one side or the other of cam 480 as missile element 448 slides along frame 350. Assuming that tongue 470 is positioned on the right side of cam 480 as rod 384 turns in the counter-clockwise direction, as occurs when shaft 204 is depressed and hook 160 engages tooth 156, as has been previously discussed, cam 468 on element 464 will engage spiral cam 410, drawing missile 448 upward as first cylindrical element 402 rotates. During this motion, flexible finger 482 of metallic element 476 will be in electrical contact with metallic rail 484 disposed adjacent to side 444 of frame 350.

When cam 468 reaches the end of spiral cam 410, it will encounter cam 414, and member 464 will be pivoted to position tongue 470 on the other side of elongated cam 480. In this position cam 466 will encounter spiral cam 430 to draw missile element 448 downward again, although the downward movement will be faster than the upward movement because cam 410 has more windings than cam 430. The movement of member 464 is illustrated in Figure 12. At the base of cam 430, cam 466 will encounter cam 434 to force tongue 470 to the other side of elongated cam 480 and restore missile element 448 to its initial position.

With continuing reference to Figure 11, the operation of bulls-eye mechanism 486 will now be described. Like missile element 448, bulls-eye element 488 is provided with fingers 490 for sliding engagement with flanges 442 and 446 of movable frame 350. Hooks 492 and 494 are provided on element 448 so that element 448 may be biased downward by spring 496, which extends from hook 492 to hook 498 on element 500, and spring 502, which extends from hook 494 to hook 504 on movable frame 350. Molded onto the plastic forming element 448 is upstanding wall 506, which forms an enclosure with zig-zag walls to convey the impression of a violent explosion when bulls-eye lamp 508, which is supported within the enclosure formed by upstanding wall 506 by being lodged between mounting posts 510 protruding upward from the plastic forming element 488, is illuminated.

Transparent filter member 512, which may be dyed red to heighten the impression of a fiery crash, is fixedly disposed on top of upstanding wall 506. Metallic element 514 is fixedly attached to element 488, being provided with opening 516 through which plastic mounting posts 518 extend.

Brad 520 (not illustrated) may also be used to secure element 514 to element 488. Resilient metallic finger 522 extends from element 514 and is positioned to make electrical contact with terminal 524 affixed to frame 350 when bulls-eye lamp 508 is positioned beneath belt 322, or terminal 526 affixed to frame 350 at a position spaced apart from terminal 524 when lamp 508 is positioned beneath belt 324. One terminal 528 (not illustrated) of bulls-eye lamp 508 is electrically connected to element 514.

With continuing reference to Figure 11, element 500 is provided with elongated opening 530 having first end 532 and second end 534, elongated opening 536 having first end 538 and second end 540, elongated notch 542, and arm 544. Side 440 of frame 350 is provided with mounting post 546, which slidably mounts element 500 to frame 350 by extending through opening 536, with arm 544 being retained by flanges 548 and 550 extending from frame 350.

Washer 552 is melted into the plastic of post 546 to prevent element 500 from being disengaged from frame 350. It will be apparent that the construction described allows reciprocating movement of element 500 with respect to frame 350, to the extent permitted by opening 536.

With continuing reference to Figure 11, triangular latching element 554 is provided with post 556 and mounting hole 558. Rod 560 is fixedly inserted into hole 562 in side 440, and extends through hole 558 to pivotably mount element 554, with post 556 extending into opening 530. Element 554 is retained upon rod 560 by being sandwiched between element 500 and side 440 of frame 350. It will be apparent that when element 500 is in its fully extended position, that is, when mounting post 546 engages second end 540 of elongated opening 536, end 534 of opening 530 will engage post 556 to force corner 564 upward. Alternately, when element 500 is in its retracted position, with posts 546 encountering first end 538 of opening 530, posts 556 will encounter end 532 of opening 530 to move corner 564 in the counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 11.These two positions are illustrated in Figures 9 and 10.

The operation of bulls-eye mechanism 486 can now be described. With missile 448 beginning from its initial position, that is, from the lower end of frame 350 as seen in Figure 11, counterclockwise rotation of rod 384 will slide element 448 upward. Abutment 566 extending from side 440 is positioned midway along frame 350, where it engages tooth 568 of bull's eye element 488.

As missile element 448, driven by the rotation of rod 384, approaches the midpoint of frame 350, missile element 448 encounters bulls-eye element 488, and further rotation of rod 384 slides both elements 448 and 488 up frame 530 together.

During this motion spring 496 urges element 500 in its forward position, so that corner 564 is rotated in the clockwise direction where it is positioned to engage tooth 568 just before missile element 448 reaches the upper end of frame 350.

With element 488 retained in the elevated position by corner 564, tongue 470 of movable element 464 moves to the other side of elongated cam 480, in the manner previously described, so that further rotation of rod 384 draws missile element 448 rapidly downward to the initial position without drag being imposed by element 488. When missile element 448 reaches the lower end of frame 350, corner 568 of element 448 engages abutment 500a on element 500, drawing element 500 downward against the restoring force of spring 496 until post 546 encounters end 538 of opening 536. This movement forces end 532 of opening 530 against post 556, rotating element 554 in the counterclockwise direction to withdraw corner 564 so as to release bulls-eye element 488, which then slides down flanges 442 and 446 to the extent permitted by abutment 566. The elements are now positioned to begin the process again.It should be noted that when corner 568 encounters abutment 500a, arm 544 is rotated against movable plate 272 to rotate corner 286 against end 284 of releasing member 274, so that shaft 204 is allowed to move to its elevated position to stop the transfer of power to rod 384. Thus, missile element 448 remains in its lowered position in frame 350, with element 488 retained above it by abutment 566, until rod 384 beings rotating again. Should solenoid 230 be energized during the ascent of missile element 448, hook 1 60 will engage tooth 158 in the manner previously described and the rotation of rod 384 will be reversed to draw element 448 downward again until element 448 is restored to its initial position and arm 544 is rotated against a plate 272 to discontinue the rotation of rod 384.

With reference now to Figure 8, the operation of timing mechanism 1 34 will now be described.

Shafts 570 having bulge 572 therein is journalled for rotation within subchassis 66. Gear 574 is friction-fitted to shaft 570 and positioned to mesh with work gear 576 affixed to shaft 118, while gear 578 is fixedly attached to shaft 570. Spring 570a is disposed around shaft 570 between gears 574 and 578 to force 574 against bulge 572 so as to allow gear 574 to rotate as a unit with shaft 570 unless excessive torque is applied, whereupon the friction bond is broken and gear 574 is allowed to rotate with respect to shaft 570.

Gear 580 is fixedly attached to shaft 98 and positioned to mesh with gear 578. It will be apparent that the rotation of shaft 11 8 as motor 112 runs will be transmitted via gears 576, 578, 574, and 580 to shaft 98, which is attached to timer wheel 58. On the other hand, when time wheel 58 is rotated manually, gear 574 slips with respect to shaft 570 to prevent breakage.

Turning now to Figure 13, the operation of bulls-eye switch 582 will now be described.

Molded into the plastic forming bottom case 22 are parallel flanges 584, which retain and guide flange 586 of movable switch plate 296. Rack of teeth 588 is positioned on top of flange 586 to mesh with gear 590, which is journalled for rotation on mounting frame 294. Gear 590 also meshes with rack of teeth 592 provided on the underside of movable frame 350. It will be apparent that when steering knob 44 is rotated to move frame 350 to the right, for example, gear 590 will be rotated in the counter-clockwise direction to drive switch plate 296 to the left.

Metallic element 594 is fixedly attached to plate 296 and is provided with flexible finger 296 which extends upward to touch belt 322 along the path of the openings 336 therein. Metallic plate 598 is affixed to the bottom of base 298, so that flexible finger 596 makes electrical contact with plate 598 through openings 336 when belt 322 is in the proper position with respect to switch plate 296. It will be apparent that the openings 336 are positioned on belt 322 so that electrical contact is made when a target indicia 334 is positioned along the axis of frame 350 on the "trajectory" of missile element 448. In a similar manner, metallic element 600 is affixed to switch plate 296 and is provided with flexible finger 602 arching upward to the path of the openings 336 and belt 324.

With principal reference next to Figures 4, 8, and 1 5, the electrical system of the present amusement device will now be described. As is illustrated in Figure 8, metallic disc 604 is mounted on gear 580 around shaft 98, with abutment 606 extending upward slightly from the face of gear 580 to engage notch 608 in disc 604 to prevent the latter from rotating with respect to gear 580. Flexible metallic fingers 610 and 612 are fixedly mounted to subchassis 66 and extend therefrom to make electrical contact with metallic disc 604. Finger 610 extends far enough to always be in electrical contact with disc 604, but finger 61 2 is positioned at the periphery of disc 604 so that it encounters notch 608 once every revolution of timer wheel 58. This, of course, breaks the circuit, which can be restored by manually rotating timer wheel 58.With reference next to Figure 4, metallic element 614 is affixed to the face of transmission element 144, and flexible metallic fingers 412, 616, and 618, which are anchored to subchassis 66, extend to element 144. Figure 1 5 illustrates the orientation of element 614 when hook 1 60 engages first tooth 156; flexible metallic fingers 616 and 618 are electrically connected through element 614.

When hook 1 60 engages second tooth 158, however, element 614 is rotated so as to electrically connect finger 61 6 and 142.

With continuing reference to Figure 15, the amusement device is turned on by moving switch activating lever 34 to bring metallic elements 72 and 74 into electrical contact. Timer wheel 58 is rotated so that flexible metallic fingers 610 and 612 are electrically connected through metallic disc 604. Motor 11 2 begins to rotate. Since the game has just begun, hook 1 60 will be engaging tooth 156 to orient metallic element 614 so that it electrically connects flexible metallic fingers 616 and 618. Since tongue 470 is on the right hand side of cam 480 (Figure 11) when the game begins, flexible finger 482 will be in electrical contact with metallic rail 484 to illuminate missile lamp 462. Rail 484 can, of course, be shortened so that lamp 462 is not illuminated until missile element 448 begins to move.When fire plunger 38 is manually depressed, rod 384 will begin rotating and the clockwise direction to propel missile element 448 upward. Midway along its path missile element 448 will encounter bulls-eye element 488 to slide it upward too, with resilient metallic finger 522 first coming into electrical contact with terminal 524 and then with terminal 526. Assuming that a "hit" is not scored, that is, assuming that finger 522 does not come into electrical contact with terminal 524 at the same time that flexible finger 596 reaches through an opening 336 in belt 322 to come into electrical contact with metallic plate 598, or that finger 522 does not come into electrical contact with terminal 526 at the same time finger 602 encounters an opening 336, tongue 470 will be moved to the other side of elongated cam 480 to break the electrical connection between finger 482 and rail 484, and to rapidly return missile element 448 back to its initial position. When missile element 448 is returned to its initial position arm 544 engages plate 272 to stop the rotation of rod 384, thus stopping the motion of missile element 448, and element 554 is rotated to release bulls-eye element 488, which then springs back to its initial position.If, through skillful manipulation of steering knob 44 a "hit" is scored the next time fire plunger 38 is depressed, either finger 522 will come into electrical contact with terminal 524 at the same time that finger 596 makes electrical contact with plate 598, or finger 522 will come into electrical contact with terminal 526 at the same time finger 602 contacts plate 598, depending upon whether contact is made through an opening 336 on belt 322 or belt 324. in either case, electromagnet 232 will be energized and hook 160 will engage tooth 158 to reverse the rotation of rod 384, drawing target element 448 back to its initial position. As tooth 158 rotates into engagement with hook 160, metallic element 614 will rotate to open the electrical connection between fingers 61 6 and 618 and to form an electrical connection between fingers 616 and 142.Bulls-eye lamp 508 then flashes as bulls-eye lamp flashing switch 136 periodically closes. This flashing continues until missile element 448 returns to its initial position and arm 544 rotates plate 272.

With reference next to Figures 3 and 14, scoring mechanism 620 may be added to the amusement device of the present invention if desired. Scoring mechanism 620 operates to increase the score when rod 384 is rotated in the clockwise direction, that is, after a "hit" has been scored, and to leave the score unchanged when rod 384 either rotates in the counter-clockwise direction or remains at rest. Cap 622 and gear 624 are fixedly mounted at spaced apart positions on rod 384, with element 626 rotatably mounted between them. Element 626 is provided with extension 628 through which shaft 630 rotatably extends. Gear 632, which meshes with gear 624, is fixedly mounted at one end of shaft 630, while gear 634 is fixedly mounted at the other.Large gear 636 and small gear 638 are mounted for rotation together in bottom case 22 and are so positioned that the force of gravity acting upon extension 628 forces large gear 638 into a meshing relationship with gear 634 when rod 384 rotates in the clockwise direction, but gear 634 simply bounces on top of gear 638 without transmitting power when shaft 384 rotates in the counter-clockwise direction. The remainder of scoring mechanism 620 is of the type well known in the art. Briefly, mounting bracket 640 is fixedly attached to bottom case 622, and shaft 642 extends from one wall 644 of bracket 640 to the other wall 646. Units scoring wheel 48, which is provided with gear 646 fixedly attached to one side thereof, and tens scoring gear 50, which has gear 648 fixedly attached to one side thereof, are mounted for independent rotation on shaft 642.It will be apparent that when shaft 384 rotates in the clockwise direction, rotary movement is transmitted through gears 632, 636, and 638 to gear 646, so that unit scoring wheel 48 is rotated.

Spacer 650 extending from unit scoring wheel 48 is provided with gear segment 652 for meshing engagement with gear 654 (not illustrated) journalled for rotation beneath scoring wheels 48 and 50 once per revolution of unit scoring wheel 48. Since gear 654 continually meshes with gear 648,- it will be apparent that tens scoring wheel 50 is rotated through a small angle once per revolution of wheel 48. In this way, scores greater than 10 can be accommodated. Reset wheel 54 is mounted for rotation on shaft 642 locked together with tens scoring wheel 50. Cam wheel 656 affixed to one side of reset wheel 54 engages resilient member 658 made of the plastic forming mounting bracket 640 to insure that the numbers (not illustrated) on tens scoring wheel 50 are well centered. Ratchet member 660 (not illustrated) is enclosed within wheels 48 and 50 so that the number may be reset to zero by manipulation of reset wheel 54.

A transparent red filter 662, as illustrated in Figure 2, may be mounted beneath belts 322 and 324 to heighten the realism of the present amusement device by hiding the operative mechanisms beneath. Furthermore, arm 664 having an indicia 666 representing a missile launcher thereon may be fixedly attached to member 352 so that the position of frame 350 can be indicated through window 30.

Claims (18)

1. Am amusement device, comprising: a casing having first and second ends, first and second sides, and an opening therein; a first belt having indicia thereon mounted for movement within said casing adjacent said second end, said first belt being visible through said opening and extending from a position adjacent said first side to a position adjacent said second side; a motor mounted within said casing; first means operatively connecting said motor to said first belt for moving said first belt; a frame mounted for movement between said first and second sides of said casing, said frame being elongated and extending from a position adjacent said first end of said casing toward said first belt at an angle substantially perpendicular thereto; second means operatively connected to said frame for manually moving said frame between said first and second sides of said casing;; third means movably mounted on said frame and normally oriented toward said first end of said casing for simulating the image of a projectile visible through said opening; a button movably mounted on said casing; and fourth means operatively connecting said motor and said third means for moving said third means along said frame toward said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

2. The amusement device of claim 1, further comprising a second belt mounted for movement parallel to said first belt, and wherein said first means further comprises means for moving said second belt in the direction opposite said first belt.

3. The amusement device of claims 1 or 2, further comprising fifth means for indicating when said third means substantially intersects one of said indicia.

4. The amusement device of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said fourth means further comprises sixth means for restoring said third means to its initial position if said third means does not substantially intersect one of said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

5. The amusement device of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein said fourth means further comprises seventh means for restoring said third means to its initial position if said third means substantially intersects one of said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

6. The amusement device of any of the preceding claims, further comprising timer mechanism means operatively connected to said motor for stopping said motor after a manually preset time has expired.

7. The amusement device of any of the preceding claims, further comprising scoring mechanism means operatively connected to said seventh means for providing a visual indication of the number of times said third means has substantially intersected one of said indicia.

8. The amusement device of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an axially disposed elongated cam mounted on said frame, said elongated cam having first and second sides, and a member movably mounted on said third means and extending toward said elongated cam, and wherein said fourth means comprises a first cam mounted on said member, a first cylindrical element rotatably mounted on said frame parallel to said first side of said elongated cam and facing said first cam, said first cylindrical element being operatively connected to said motor and having a first spiral cam thereon positioned to engage said first cam when said member is oriented on said first side of said elongated cam to move said third means along said frame toward said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

9. The amusement device of claim 8, wherein said sixth means comprises cam means mounted on said first cylindrical element adjacent the end thereof for engaging said first cam to orient said member on the second side of said elongated cam, a second cam mounted on the other side of said member from said first cam, a second cylindrical element rotatably mounted on said frame parallel to said second side of said elongated cam and operatively connected to said first cylindrical element, said second cylindrical element having a second spiral cam thereon positioned to engage said second cam when said member is oriented on said second side of said elongated cam to restore said third means to its initial position if said third means does not substantially intersect one of said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

10. The amusement device of claim 9, wherein said first spiral cam is wound more tightly than said second spiral cam.

11. The amusement device of claims 8, 9, or 10, wherein said seventh means comprises eighth means operationally connected to said motor for reversing the rotation of said first cylindrical element if said third means substantially intersects one of said indicia after said button has been manually depressed.

12. The amusement device of any of claims 8 through 11 further comprising a metallic rail mounted on said frame parallel to said first side of said elongated cam, and wherein said third means comprises a movably mounted first lamp electrically connected to a first resilient metallic element extending from said member to make electrical contact with said metallic rail when said member is oriented on said first side of said elongated cam.

13. The amusement device of any of claims 3 through 12, wherein said fifth means comprises a bulls-eye mechanism movably mounted on said frame between said third means and said second end of said casing, spring means biasing said bulls-eye mechanism toward said first end of said casing, a second lamp mounted on said bulls-eye mechanism, and ninth means for illuminating said second lamp when said third means substantially intersects one of said indicia.

14. The amusement device of claim 13, wherein said first belt has openings corresponding to said indicia thereon, and wherein said ninth means comprises a first terminal mounted on said frame, a second resilient metallic element extending from said bulls-eye mechanism and oriented to come into electrical contact with said first terminal as said third means moves along said frame, a switch plate mounted to move between said first and second sides of said casing between said casing and said first belt, tenth means operatively connecting said frame to said switch plate for moving said switch plate when said frame is moved, a third resilient metallic element extending from said switch plate and oriented to encounter said openings in said first belt, and eleventh means for illuminating said second lamp when said second metallic element comes into electrical contact with said first terminal at the same time said third metallic element encounters an opening in said first belt.

1 5. The amusement device of claim 14, wherein said second belt has openings corresponding to said indicia thereon, wherein said ninth means further comprises a second terminal mounted on said frame at a position spaced apart from said first terminal and a fourth metallic element extending from said switch plate and oriented to encounter said openings in said second belt, and wherein said eleventh means further comprises means for illuminating said second lamp when said second metallic element comes into electrical contact with said second terminal at the same time said fourth metallic element encounters an opening in said second belt.

16. The amusement device of claim 1 5, further comprising switch means operatively connected to said motor for flashing said second lamp when said third means substantially intersects one of said indicia.

1 7. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein said eighth means comprises a solenoid activated when said second metallic element comes into electrical contact with said first terminal at the same time said third metallic element encounters an opening in said first belt and when said second metallic element comes into electrical contact with said second terminal at the same time said fourth metallic element encounters an opening in said second belt.

18. An amusement device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.