GB2157925A

GB2157925A - Video display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2157925A
Application number: GB08407407A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Marsh
Original assignee: ACE COIN EQUIP
Current assignee: ACE COIN EQUIP
Priority date: 1984-03-22
Filing date: 1984-03-22
Publication date: 1985-10-30
Also published as: GB2196214B; GB8727207D0; GB8407407D0; GB2196214A; GB2157925B

Abstract

Video display apparatus 1 such as a game comprises a cabinet 2 and a cassette 3 which has a logic board for a game to be displayed and played. The cabinet 2 and cassette 3 have cooperable connections means whereby the cassette 3 can be removably mounted in the cabinet 2 so that in the full mounted position electrical connection between the logic board and cassette is made. The cassette may have 'L' shaped grooves 4 cooperating with spigots 5 on the cabinet. Locating pins 11 ensure there is no bending of contacts in the plug and socket connection (8,9 Fig. 1).The display may be a CRT, rotably mounted on rollers (Fig.4). The cabinet may include removable name plate mounting means (Figs. 5,6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Video display apparatus The invention relates to video display apparatus, particGrlarly a video game apparatus.

Such apparatus is often programmed with a particular logic board, for example a game logic board, and is placed in a public place so that members ofthe public can play the game, usually on insertion of a coin or token.

However, it is often necessary to change the logic board either because of a fault, or owing to change in fashion or popularity.

Hitherto, such change over has necessitated the use of skilled labour to carry out atime-consuming operation requiring considerable apparatus "downtime", which reduces revenue from use. This proce durewasthustime-consuming and expensive and also even skilled operatives could make a misconnection thereby defeating the object of installing the new logic board.

Accordingly, it is an objectofthe invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the invention there is provided video display apparatus comprising a cabinet and a cassette adapted to hold a logic board forthe apparatus, the cabinet and cassette having cooperable connection means whereby releasably to secure the cassette in the cabinet so that when in place in the cabinet electrical connections of the cabinet and cassette are made.

The cooperable connection means may comprise spigots on one of the cabinet and cassette and slots on the other thereof.

The slots may be of'L'-shape.

The spigots may project from the cabinet and the slots maybe in a boundary surface of the cassette.

Avideo game apparatus embodying the invention is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a part sectional front elevational view of part ofthe apparatus; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a cassette of the apparatus; Fig. 3 is a part isometric view of part of the cassette of Fig. 2,to a smallerscalethan that Fig; Fig. 4 is a schematic front view ofthe apparatus; Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the front of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the part of Fig.5.

Referring tothe drawings, particularly Figs. 1,2 and 3, there is shown video game apparatus 1 comprising a cabinet 2 and a cassette 3 which has a logic board for a gameto be displayed and played. The cabinet 2 and cassette3 have cooperable connection means wherebythe cassette 3 can be removably mounted in the cabinet 2 so that in the fully mounted position electrical connection between the logic board and cassette is made.

The connection means comprises L-shaped (part bayonet) slots 4 in side walls of the cassette and spigots 5 (a hard plastic dowel in each case) projecting from sidewall 6 ofthe cabinet 2 into the interior volume of the cabinet 2.

The cabinet2 has an aperture in thefront panel 7 (that isthe panel faced by the user of the apparatus) which aperture is just large enough to receive the cassette 3. The cassette 3 has part 8 of a plug and socket electrical connection 10 and the other part 9 is carried by the cabinet 2 and is connected to a power unit (not shown). The power unit also includes spaced locating pins 1 1 which ensure that when a cassette 3 is inserted in the aperture and located in the fully "home" position, the pins of the pin and socket arrangement 10 are not deformed as by being bent.

In use to change overto a new andlor different game logic board, it is merely necessary to remove one cassette 2 by lifting so the the upright (asviewed) part 12 of the slot 4 rides over the associated spigot 5 until the spigot is aligned with the horizontal part 13, and then to pull the cassette 2 that the horizontal part 13 of the slot 4 travels over the spigot 5 until released therefrom so that the cassette 2 is free of the cabinet.

The new cassette is then inserted following the reverse procedure, the act of insertion automatically effecting connection between the parts 8 and 9 ofthe plug and socket connection 1 O so that the apparatus 1 is readyto be used with its new logic board.

The cabinet 2 has a number of vent holes 14for cooling purposes, and the cassette 2 has a vent hole 15 which also acts as a carrying handle.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the cassette 2 is a self-contained or modular unit. All the cassettes used with the apparatus 1 are identical in shape and configuration, so standardised apparatus is obtainable with the invention. Each cassette has a front panel 16 including a moulded wooden panel 17to which the logic board (not shown) is affixed. Parallel thereto is a removable access panel 18 whereby access to the interior of the cassette 2 can be obtained, the panel 18 being slidably mounted in an extruded channel 19.

The cassette includes an upper (as viewed Fig. 2) lip 20 which hooks over a batten support 21 at each end of the cabinet 2 and provides an aesthetic finish when in position.

The cassette (or cartridge) is fitted with a removable control panel into which a varying number of control buttons can befitted depending on the requirements ofthe game.

Referring now to Fig. 4there is shown schematically an arrangementwherebytheorientationofaT.V.

monitor used in the apparatus can be altered so that the major axis of the monitor is either horizontal or vertical as viewed in Fig. 4. This requirement occurs because some games or displays are vertically oriented and some horizontally, to the viewer, and this requirement may be operative when the logic board is changed, as described with respect to Figs. 1-3.

To meet this requirementthecabinet2 includes a mounting board 22 attached to the inner surface ofthe cabinet 2. The board 22 mounts a ring 23to which the TV. monitor24isattached.The ring 23 is mounted for turning by bearing on rollers 25 carried bythe mounting board 22. Locking means 26 in the form of a locking pin (which can be spring mounted) locks the ring 23 in a particular end position when the monitor 24 has been turned to the desired orientation. The image 27 from the monitor 24 is projected onto a screen 28, in this case a reflective surface secured at an appropriate angle in the cabinet2,wherebythe image 27 can be reflected to the viewer at 29.

Referring now to Figs. and 6, if the game is changed,the name panel 30 ofthe apparatus 1 may also require to be changed easily and efficiently. To this end, the front panel 7 ofthe cabinet 2 has a projecting part orflap 31 which is hinged at32 to the ) cabinet 2. The Rap 31 has a turn-catch locking arrangement 33 and a lip 34 behind which a lower edge of a removable name plate orfascia board 30 is received. The upper edge of the fascia 30 is received behind a retaining bead or angle 35 of an upper surface ofthe cabinet.

In useto changethefascia 30, it is merely necessary to release the locking arrangement 33 by turning from without, lowering the flap 31 by pivoting aboutthe hinge 32 as shown by arrow 'x' (Fig. 6) while supporting the fascia 30 and to release the lower edge thereof, and then to remove the fascia 30 from the cabinet. The newfascia or name plate is inserted behind the bead or angle 35 and the flap 31 is pivoted upwardly so thatthe lip 34 engages and holdsthe j lower edge thereof. The locking arrangement33 is then turned to lock, and the change-over is complete.

Itwill be understood that although a video game apparatus has been described herein, the invention is applicable to other video display apparatus such as point of sale advertising.

Claims

1. Video display apparatus comprising a cabinet and a cassette adapted to hold a logic board of the apparatus, the cabinet and cassette having cooperable connection means whereby releasablyto secure the cassette in the cabinet so thatwhen in place in the cabinet electrical connections of the cabinet and cassette are made.

2. Video display apparatus according to Claim 1, the cooperable connection means comprising spigots on one ofthe cabinet and cassette and slots on the other thereof.

3. Video display apparatus according to Claim 2, the slots being of substantially L-shape.

4. Video display apparatus according to Claim 3, one limb ofthe L-shape being a slot with substantially parallel sides.

5. Video display apparatus according to any of Claims, the spigots projecting from the cabinet and the slots being in a boundary surface of the cassette.

6. Video display apparatus according to any preceding Claim, tne cassette and cabinet having cooperable hook and support means when assembled.

7. Video display apparatus according to Claim 6, the cassette having a projecting peripherarhookand the cabinet having a support over which the hook hooks when the cassette is assembled with the cabinet.

8. Video display apparatus according to any preceding Claim, the cassette including a removable panel whereby access to the interior of the cassette is obtained for changing a logic board.

9. Video display apparatus according to any preceding Claim, the cabinet including mounting means whereby a video viewing apparatus is mounted for variable orientation.

10. Video display apparatus according to Claim 9, the mounting means comprising a bearing ring forthe apparatus, mounted on rollers.

11. Video display apparatus according to any preceding Claim, the cabinet including a holderwhich holds a name panel.

12. Video display apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.