GB2072520A - Ball-guiding game - Google Patents

Abstract

An amusement device comprising a ball 18 and a plurality of members (2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 14 and 15) which can be controlled independently by controls (20 to 26) on the board so as to cause the ball to travel along a path from one member to another between starting and finishing points, the travelling time being measured by a clock 4. The members include a magnetic swivel arm 3, controllable bars 5, pistons 10 to project the ball from one cylinder 9 to another and then to a ramp 12, a tilting maze 13 and a catapult 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Board game with controllable ball path This invention relates to an amusement device, for use by one or more players, which has a convoluted ball path laid out on a game board with maneuverable obstacles. The invention includes a timer, and the object of the game is to guide a ball through the path in minimum time.

According to the amusement device of the present invention there is provided a board, a ball of ferrous material, a tilting ramp assembly mounted for movement with respect to the board for transmitting the ball from a starting point on the board to the end of the ramp assembly, a swinging arm provided with a magnet and mounted on the board to rotate through a path to attract and then transport the ball from the end of the tilting ramp assembly, a pair of slide bars supported by the board, each pivotably mounted at one end and slidably mounted at the other end to transport the ball after it is deposited thereon by the swinging arm, a tilting table mounted for movement with respect to the board for receiving the ball after it leaves the slide bars, a jumping assembly provided on the board for sequentially causing the ball to jump along a predetermined path after the ball is received from the tilting table, a tilting maze mounted for movement with respect to the board for transporting the ball after it leaves the jumping assembly through a torturous path, a swinging support arm mounted for movement with respect to said board for transporting the ball after it leaves the tilting maze, a catapult arm mounted to pivot with respect to the board for transporting the ball after it leaves the swinging support arm to a finishing point on the board, and a plurality of controls mounted on the board and operatively connected to the tilting ramp assembly, swinging magnet arm, slide bars, tilting table, jumping assembly, tilting maze, swinging support arm and catapult arm for operating same.

One example of the invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating a board adapted for use in a game wherein a ball is to be guided along an approximately W-shaped path laid out on the board while traversing a variety of controllable obstacles, and including seven controls therefor; Figure 2 is a plan view of the upper corner of the board of the amusement device of Fig.

1 illustrating the tilting maze, which is movably mounted above the board, in section to show the internal passageway therein.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view, partly in section, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2, illustrating the pivot and actuating mechanism for the swinging support arm and its connection to the drive shaft; Figure 4 is a plan view of the control mechanisms located below the board of Fig.

1; Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1, illustrating the tilting ramp assembly in its two alternative positions during operation, and balls positioned at the beginning and end of the path defined by the tilting ramp assembly; Figure 6 is a diagram illustrative of the intended operation of the tilting ramp assembly; Figure 7 is a side elevation view partly in section illustrating the end of the third tilting ramp which is adapted to prevent the ball from rolling back onto the tilting ramps once it has escaped them; Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the connection between adjacent of the first, second and third tilting ramps; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the linkage which connects a rotatable control to the swinging magnet arm;; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 1 illustrating the tilting table and its attachment to the board of the device of Fig. 1; Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tilting table and of its pivotable attachment to the board of the device of Fig. 1; Figure 12 is a side elevational view partly in section illustrating the assembly for sequentially causing the ball to jump from one station to another and eventually through a gate onto a ramp; Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the pushing element which is slidably mounted within the jumping assembly; Figure 14 is a side elevation view, partly in section, taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 2, showing generally the operation of the catapult arm of the device of Fig. 1; and Figure 15 is a rear elevation view of the mechanism of the clock provided in the device of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, the starting position may be seen marked adjacent to seventh control 26. A ball 1 8 is shown in the starting position, which consists of a depression 144, formed in the board 1 adjacent the first obstacle, the tilting ramp assembly 2. As the player depresses the seventh control 26, the three tilting ramps 46, 47 and 48 are caused to alter and eventually to reverse their several slopes. Thus the seventh control 26 must be manipulated in proper timing during the passage of the ball 18, to enable the ball 1 8 to pass slightly uphill through the tilting ramp assembly 2 to the second depression 143 formed in the board 1.A swinging arm 3 provided with a magnet 77 is mounted to the board 1 for rotation in such position that the magnet 77 can pass over the second depression 143, and at such height that when the swinging arm 3 passes over the second depression 143 while a ball 1 8 is lying thereon, the magnet 77 will pick up the ball 1 8. The rotation of the swinging arm 3 is controlled by twisting a sixth control 25. The player now rotates control 25 so that the swinging arm 3 is caused to rotate 180 until the ball 1 8 lies above a pair of slide bars 5. A fixed slide bar gate 6 is placed at such height that the rotation of the swinging arm 3 brings a ball being held by the magnet 77 into contact with the slide bar gate 6, disengaging the ball 1 8 from the swinging arm 3.

The ball 1 8 now lies on the pair of slide bars 5 which slope upwardly defining the next uphill obstacle. A fourth control 23, when pushed forward or backward, causes the pair of slide bars 5 to move away from each other or closer together, respectively. Thus the player, by pushing the fourth control 23 forward, causes the ball 1 8 to begin rolling along the pair of slide arms 5. As the ball approaches the tilting table 7, the player then pulls the fourth control 23 backward, causing the slide arms 5 to move closer together, thus elevating the ball 1 8 so that its forward momentum carries it over onto the tilting table 7.

The tilting table 7 is operatively connected to fifth control 24 so that movement of the fifth control 24 to the right or left causes the tilting table 7 to move to the right or left. In similar manner, movement of the fifth control 24 forward or backward causes the tilting table 7 to move to the front or back of the board, respectively. The edge of the tilting table 7 has two openings, only one of which leads to the desired next stage of the ball path, which is the first transfer ramp 8. The other opening in the edge of the tilting table 7 permits the ball to drop onto the board 1. The tilting table 7 is further provided with impediments 148 on its surface, so as to enhance the difficulty of controlling of the ball successfully through this obstacle.

The first transfer ramp 8 slopes downwardly to convey the ball 1 8 onto the jumping assembly 9. The jumping assembly 9 consists of four contiguous cylinders 149 of unequal height, each including a pushing element 10 (shown in detail in Fig. 1 2), mounted to slide vertically through the cylinder of the jumping assembly 9 from beneath. The pushing element 10 is connected to the second control 21 to be raised when the second control 21 is depressed. by depressing the second control 21 sharply, the player causes the ball 18 to jump from each of the cylinders 149 in the jumping assembly 9 to the next higher cylinder 149, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 1.

When the ball 1 8 has reached the highest of the cylinders 149 in the jumping assembly 9, striking the second control 21 ejects the ball 1 8 with sufficient force that it flies through the gate 11 onto the second transfer ramp 12.

The second transfer ramp 1 2 slopes downwardly to lead the ball 1 8 to an opening in the tilting maze 1 3. The tilting maze 1 3 is controlled by the third control 22 in two axes of rotation, much as the tilting table 7 is controlled by the fifth control 24. Thus, by carefully manipulating the third control 22, the player causes the ball 1 8 to travel through the tilting maze 1 3 along the path illustrated in Fig. 2. As seen in Fig.1, the top of the tilting maze 1 3 is configured to correspond to the passageway within the tilting maze 1 3 to assist the player.

A swinging support arm 14 is rotatably mounted on the board 1, as may be seen most clearly in Fig. 2. Rotation of the swinging support arm 14 is linked to the rotation of the sixth control knob 25, which also controls the swinging magnet arm 3. The player may thus station the swinging support arm 14, which is configured to hold ball 1 8 beneath the outlet of the tilting maze 1 3. Thus, at the conclusion of travel through the tilting maze 13, the ball 1 8 falls onto the end of the swinging support arm 14 and rests there. By twisting the sixth control 25, the player causes the swinging support arm 14 to rotate, until the end of the swinging support arm 1 4 abuts against the catapult arm ramp 149, formed in the board 1.The catapult arm ramp 149 slopes downwardly such that the ball 1 8 placed thereon rolls into the opening of the catapult arm 1 5. The catapult arm 1 5 is controlled by the first control 20, so that depression of the first control 20 causes the catapult arm 1 5 to rotate upwardly from its rest position, shown in Fig. 2. Depression of the first control 20 to the limit of its travel (about an inch) raises the catapult arm 1 5 by only about an inch at its extremity. However, by depressing the first control 20 sharply, the player may impart sufficient momentum to the catapult arm 1 5 to carry it through the top of its swing, shown in Fig. 1, and into the downward portion of its arc.At the end of its travel the catapult arm 1 5 strikes against a bell guard 16. The ball 18 is then ejected from the catapult arm 15, and strikes the bell 1 7. The ball 1 8 then comes to rest within a goal ramp 147 molded in the board 1, indicating that the game is completed.

In Fig. 3 the operation of the tilting maze 1 3 may be seen more clearly. The tilting maze 1 3 is provided on its underside with a first hemisphere 49, which rests on a first slee've 1 60 formed in the board 1. The tilting maze 1 3 includes a first lever arm 50, which extends without contact through the sleeve 1 60.

Into the lowermost extremity of first lever arm 50 is inserted a screw 37, which protrudes through a hole formed in the end of the lever arm of third control 22. A washer 51 prevents the screw 37 from disengaging.

The seven controls 20 through 26 are illus trated in Fig. 4. The seventh control 26 is a simple lever which pivots on a fulcrum formed by a first pair of shoulders 1 61 (formed in the underside of the board 1) and by a corresponding pair of shoulders (not seen here) formed in cover 1 9. The seventh control 26 pivots on these two pairs of shoulders by means of a pair of pins 52 provided on the control 26. At the end of the control 26 is provided a finger 53 (which may be seen more clearly in Fig. 5), which bears against the tilting ramp assembly 2.

The sixth control 25 has gear teeth formed in its underside, which engage a pinion 55 connected to a first drive shaft 29, which is mounted in bearings 162 and 163. At the other end of the first drive shaft 29 is a pinion clutch assembly by which rotation is transferred to the swinging magnet arm gear 33.

This first pinion clutch assembly comprises a first pressure plate 54, a first driven pinion 57, a first facing layer 56 mounted between the pressure plate 54 and the driven pinion 57, a first clutch spring 58, and a first boss 59. Similarly, rotation of the swinging magnet arm gear 33 drives a second pinion 60 affixed to the drive shaft 30, mounted in bearings 1 64 and 1 65 formed in board 1. The second drive shaft 30 is similarly provided with a pinion clutch assembly, comprising a second pressure plate 61, a second driven pinion 62, a second clutch spring 63, and a second boss 64.The second driven pinion 62 is engaged with the swinging support arm gear 34, thus linking rotation of the swinging magnet arm with that of the swinging support arm and of the sixth control 25. (Further details of this linkage are shown below in Fig. 9.) The fifth control 24 includes an oval hole which permits it to both rotate about and slide past first post 166. At the extremity of the control 24 is a screw 37, which is fixed to a second lever arm 65 (not seen) which constitutes the lowest extremity of tilting table 7.

This screw 37 fits quite loosely in the control 24, and is prevented from withdrawing only by a washer 51. Similarly the third control 22 pivots about and slides past a second post 167, and terminates in a loose fit to a screw 37 which is secured to a first lever arm 50 which constitutes the lowermost extremity of the tilting maze 1 3.

The fourth control 23, which controls the pair of slide bars 5 (which would not be seen from underneath, but are shown for reference by dashed reference lines), includes two oval holes, sliding on pasts 1 68 and 1 69 of the board 1, so as to slide (reversibly) in one direction only. In a wide portion formed at the end of the control 23 are included a pair of slots 66, in which the ends of the bars 5 are slideably engaged. The other ends of the slide bars 5 are rotatably inserted in a second sleeve 1 70 and a third sleeve 1 71. Thus, movement of the control 23 along its sole axis of translation produces the desired separation and narrowing of the slide bars 5.

The second control 21 is a lever, whose fulcrum is includes a pair of pins 67 which bear in the shoulders 1 72. The end of control 21 bears against the underside of the pushing rod 10, which slides vertically on a fifth post 1 73 and a sixth post 1 74 of the board 1.

Similarly, the control 20 is provided with a third pair of ends 68 which pivot in a third pair of shoulders 1 75.

Note also that the board 1 is provided with a rebate 1 58 on its periphery, into which the bottom cover 1 9 fits.

Fig. 5 shows the details of the tilting ramp assembly 2, which includes a first tilting ramp 46, a second tilting ramp 47, and a third tilting ramp 48, all mounted pivotably in a support 27. Adjacent ends of each adjacent pair of tilting ramps are linked by a sliding pin mechanism, which is shown in detail in Fig.

8, from which it is apparent that the ramp 46 is formed with a link extension 71 at its end, and an oval hole is formed in the link extension 71 engaging a pin 70 formed on the adjacent end of the adjacent second tilting ramp 47. Similarly, a link extension 71 at the end of the second tilting ramp 47 engages a sliding pin 70 provided at the end of the third tilting ramp 48. Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically the operation of the tilting ramp assembly 2 which results from the linkage described above. When the ball 1 8 first enters the first tilting ramp 46, it faces an uphill course, as shown in Fig. 6a. Operation of the control 26 causes each of the three tilting ramps 46, 47 and 48 to pivot simultaneously so that the ball now rolls downhill over the first tilting ramp 46 onto the second tilting ramp 47, as shown in Fig. 6b.Similarly, further manipulation of the control 26 enables the ball to roll across the second tilting ramp 47, as shown in Fig. 6c, and across the third tilting ramp 48, as shown in Fig. 6d. In this manner, the ball 1 8 is brought to rest at the end of the third tilting ramp 48, as shown in Fig. 7. To facilitate transfer of the ball 1 8 from this point to the second depression 143, which forms the end point of the tilting ramp obstacle, the third tilting ramp 48 is provided with a hump 72 at its extremity, which permits smooth transfer of the ball 1 8 from the third tilting ramp 72 to the second depression 143.

We now return briefly to Fig. 5 for further details of the construction of the tilting ramp assembly 2. It may be seen that the ramp support 27 is provided on its underside with three locking members 73, adapted to be snapped into the three sets of jaws 1 76 formed in the underside of the board 1. The underside of the ramp support 27 also includes a spring post 74, to which is connected one end of a ramp spring 69. The other end of the ramp spring 69 is attached to the third tilting ramp 48, and thus the entire tilting ramp assembly is spring-loaded so as to tend to return to its initial position as shown in Fig. 1. It may also be seen that the board 1 includes undulating walls 148 adjacent to the tilting ramp assembly 2, which are most clearly seen in Fig. 1.These undulating wall 148 are not only decorative, but also serve to conceal the mechanical details of the tilting ramp assembly 2, and to avoid escape of the ball 1 8 from the possible momentary high points of the tilting ramp assembly 2. Fig. 5 also shows more clearly the details of the fulcrum by which the seventh control 26 is supported. Note that the first pair of shoulders 161, formed in the board 1, is matched by a fourth pair of shoulders 200, formed in the cover 1 9. Thus, depression of a seventh control 26 causes the finger 53 to rise, moving the tilting ramp assembly 2 in opposition to the ramp spring 69.

Fig. 9 shows additionai details of the rotary drive mechanism by which the sixth control 25 is connected to the swinging magnet arm 3 and to the swinging support arm 14. The discussion above in reference to Fig. 4 described the operation of this rotary drive mechanism, and enumerated the parts attached to the first drive shaft 29 and the second drive shaft 30. The additional details shown in Fig. 9 include a control spring 75 which supports the sixth control 25. Also visible in the connection of the swinging arm 3 to the gear 33. Note that the gear 33 is formed to include a tenon 78 at its top, which matches a corresponding mortise (not seen) in the underside of the swinging arm 3. The attachment is made secure by a screw 37 which passes through the magnet arm 3 and which is attached through the tenon 78 to the swinging arm gear 33.The swinging magnet arm gear 33 rotates inside a fourth sleeve 142 formed in the board 1, and the fourth sleeve 142 thus provides the bearing support for the swinging magnet arm assembly. Note also that the magnet 77 is visible at the end of the swinging magnet arm 3. The bearing support for the swinging support arm 14 is similar, comprising a fifth sleeve 1 50 (formed in the board 1) within which the gear 34 rotates. The swinging support arm 14 pivots within a cap 35 which is fixed to the gear 34 by a screw 37. A contour ramp 1 52 is also formed in the board 1, and the underside of the swinging support arm 14 bears against this contour ramp 1 52 so that the arm 14 is partly elevated during part of its travel.Note that the swinging support arm gear 34 is provided with a fourth pair of pins 79 at its upper end, which engage the cap 35 so as to prevent it from rotating with respect to the gear 34.

Figs. 10 and 11 show the details of the construction and operation of the tilting table 7, which are quite similar to those of the tilting maze 13, discussed above with refer ence to Fig. 3. The tilting table 7 iF provided on its underside with a second hemisphere 80 and second lever arm 81. The second hemi sphere 80 sits loosely on top of the sixth sleeve 1 77 provided in the board 1. At the lowermost extremity of the second lever arm 81 are affixed a screw 37 and a washer 51.

which fit loosely in a hole provided near the end of the fifth control 24. Since this fifth* control 24 pivots about and slides along a first post 1 66 formed on the underside of the board 1, two-dimensional movement may thereby be imparted to the second lever arm 81, and both roll and pitch thereby applied to the tilting table 7. Since the tilting table 7 is not otherwise prevented from rotation, it is provided with an indentation 82 which fits loosely against a seventh post 1 59 provided in the board 1. (Similarly, rotation of a tilting maze 1 3 is prevented by an eighth post 1 54 and a ninth post 1 55 provided in board 1.) These posts may be seen more clearly in Fig.

1.

Figs. 1 2 and 1 3 clarify the operation of the jumping assembly 9. Fig. 1 3 shows the push ing element 10, which slides within the jump ing assembly 9. It may be seen that the pushing element 10 is provided with four pushing arms 83-86 showing fingers 87-90 provided at the tops thereof. When the push ing element 10 is elevated, the arms 83-86 lift the ball 18, the fingers 87-90 determin ing the direction of movement of the ball 1 8.

Thus, when the ball 18 is ejected the fingers 87-90 guide the ball along its desired path.

Fig. 1 2 shows the last step in this series of ejections, where the fourth arm 90 ejects the ball out of the assembly 9 through the gate 11 and onto the second transfer ramp 1 2.

From Fig. 1 3 it can be seen that the pushing element 10 slides vertically along a fifth post 1 73 and a sixth post 1 74 formed on the underside of the board 1. The extremity of the second control 21 is adapted to contact the pushing element 10 intermediate the fifth post 1 73 and the sixth post 174, so that the pushing element 10 is elevated without bind ing.

Fig. 1 4 illustrates the operation of the cata pult arm 1 5. The first control 20 pivots on a fulcrum formed by a third pair of shoulders 1 77, formed on the underside of the board 1, and a fifth pair of shoulders 201, formed on the upper side of the bottom cover 1 9. The first control 20 is provided at its end with,a catapult finger 93 which contacts the under side of the catapult arm 1 5. The catapult arm 1 5 pivots on a catapult pivot 91, which is inserted into the board 1 and held by a second pair of jaws 1 78 formed in board 1.

At the end of its travel, the catapult arm 1 5 strikes against a bell guard 16, and a ball 1 8 held within the catapult arm 1 5 is then ejected to strike against the bell 1 7, as dis cussed above.

Fig. 1 5 illustrates the internal mechanism of the clock 4, which is mounted on the board 1, as seen in Fig. 1. Rotatably mounted within a clock housing (front) 39 are a first clock gear 40, a second clock gear 41, a third clock gear 42, and an escapement wheel 43, which are all sequentially intermeshed. In the center of the first gear 40 is fixed a hand axle 94, which protrudes through the front of the housing of the clock (front) 39 to connect to a clock hand 95 (seen only in Fig. 1). Also attached to the hand axle 94 and to the first gear 40 is a spring 76. Let-down of the escapement wheel 43 is regulated by an escapement pawl 44 which is rotatably mounted in the clock housing (front) 39.The operation of the escapement pawl 44 is arrested by contact with a fifth pin 96, which is formed as a part of the clock lever assembly 92 which is rotatably mounted to the housing (front) 39. A clock housing (back) 45 (not seen) is attached to the clock housing (front) 39, and secures the several rotatable parts therein. Thus, when a player grasps the clock hand 95 and turns it, the clock spring 76 is wound up. By depressing the end of the clock lever assembly 92 marked "start", the clock is now permitted to run in conventional fash ion, regulated by the escapement wheel 43 and by the escapement pawl 45. By depressing the end of the clock lever assembly 92 marked "stop", the operation of the clock is stopped, and the position of the clock hand at that time provides an indication of elapsed time.

General points to be noted are that the board 1 is generally sloped toward the player, and that is is provided at its lower edge, adjacent to the controls, with a plurality of buttresses 145 (visible in Fig. 1), so that a ball which falls off the ball path will roll down to these buttresses 1 45. Thus, a player whose ball falls off the ball path is provided with some indication of the progress made up to that point.

Claims (9)

1. An amusement device, comprising a board, a ball of ferrous material, a tilting ramp assembly mounted for movement with respect to said board for transmitting the ball from a starting point on said board to the end of said ramp assembly, a swinging arm provided with a magnet and mounted to rotate through a path to attract and then transport said ball from the end of said tilting ramp assembly, a pair of slide bars supported by the board, each pivotably mounted at one end and sli dably mounted at the other end to transport the ball after it is deposited thereon by said swinging arm, a tilting table mounted for movement with respect to said board for receiving the ball after it leaves said slide bars, a jumping assembly provided on said board for sequentially causing the ball to jump along a predetermined path after the ball is received from said tilting table, a tilting maze mounted for movement with respect to said board for transporting the ball after it leaves said jumping assembly through a tortuous path, a swinging support arm mounted for movement with respect to said board for transporting the ball after it leaves said tilting maze, a catapult arm mounted to pivot with respect to said board for transporting the ball after it leaves said swinging support arm to a finishing point on said board, and a plurality of controls mounted on said board and operatively connected to said tilting ramp assembly, swinging arm, slide bars, tilting table, jumping assembly, tilting maze, swinging support arm and catapult arm for operating same.

2. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a timing mechanism mounted on said table for defining a period of time for a player to manipulate the ball from the starting to the finishing points.

3. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bell and guard provided on said board in the vicinity of said finishing point such that after said catapult arm pivots said arm engages said guard preventing further movement thereof and said ball strikes said bell signalling that the player has successfully moved said ball from said starting to said finishing point.

4. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of controls comprie a first control depressably mounted in said board, and operatively connected to said catapult arm such that depression of said first control initiates movement of said catapult arm; a second control depressably mounted in said board and operatively connected to said jumping assembly such that depression of said second control operates said jumping assembly; a third control mounted in said board and horizontally slidable within a limited area in two directions, and operatively connected to said tilting maze such that movement of said third control in said two directions of translation induces roll or pitch of said tilting maze about two permitted axes of rotation, respectively; a fourth control mounted in said board, and slideable along a line, and operatively connected to said pair of slide bars such that movement of said fourth control forward or backward induces spreading or narrowing of said pair of slide bars, respectively; a fifth control mounted in said board, and horizontally slideable within a limited area along two directions, and operatively connected to said tilting table such that movement of said fifth control in said two directions induces roll or pitch of said tilting table about two axes of rotation, respectively; a sixth control rotatably mounted in said board, and operatively connected to a rotary drive mechanism such that rotation of said sixth control induces rotation of said swinging arm and said swinging support arm; and a seventh control depressaby mounted in said board operatively connected to said tilting ramp assembly such that depression of said seventh control induces the tiltable components of said tilting ramp assembly to alter or reverse their slope.

5. An amusement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rotary drive mechanism comprises a first rotatably mounted drive shaft connecting said swinging support arm and said sixth control and a second rotatably mounted drive shaft connecting said swinging support arm and said swinging arm.

6. An amusement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said jumping assembly comprises a housing fixedly mounted to said board and defining a plurality of cylinders of different height, a pushing element slideably mounted within said housing having a plurality of arms corresponding generally to the height of said cylinders extending therefrom, said arms terminating in fingers orientated to guide said ball upon contacting same towards the next of said cylinders.

7. An amusement device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said tilting ramp assembly comprises first, second and third tilting ramps pivotally mounted with respect to a support, said first tilting ramp including a link extension formed in its end, said second tilting ramp including a pin formed in that end thereof which is adjacent to said first tilting ramp and being adapted to engage said link extension in said first tilting ramp and further including a link extension formed in the other end thereof, said third tilting ramp including a pin formed in the end thereof adjacent said second tilting ramp, said pin being adapted to engage said link extension and said second tilting ramp, and including a hump formed in an end thereof, and a spring attached to said third tilting ramp.

8. An amusement device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. An amusement device comprising a board, a ball and means defining a path for the ball on the board, the path defining means being provided by a plurality of independently controllable members which can be moved so as to cause the ball to travel along the path from one member to another between starting and finishing points.