GB2235386A - Fortune-telling game - Google Patents

Abstract

A fortune-telling game comprises a model figure 100 having means for randomly causing the head of the figure to shake or nod, thus indicating no or yes. Motor driven gearing having first and second independently driven gear trains are actuated through a controlling unit 200 which gives a pseudo random signal to actuate one or other of the gear trains. The unit 200 includes three user-actuatable switches 216, 218, 220 upon which cards used in playing the game may be placed. Depression of one of the switches causes the signal to be generated. The unit further includes a model crystal ball 204 which glows after a switch is depressed but before the figure moves. Instead of movement of the head, a voice synthesised unit may be provided to produce a "no" or "yes" sound. The fashion doll shown may be replaced by a head or head and shoulders model. <IMAGE>

Description

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS This invention relates to amusement apparatus.

According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided amusement apparatus comprising a model figure or part thereof having means for giving a positive or negative indication and means for actuating and controlling the indicating means.

Preferably the indicating means comprises means for causing the head of the figure to shake or nod, thus indicating no or yes and may comprises motor driven gearing having first and second gear trains, the first gear train causing the head to pivot back and forth about a transverse axis and the second gear train causing the head to swing back and forth in a plane including the transverse axis. The gear trains are independently actuated preferably by means of a single motor rotating in one or the other-direction, the selected gear train being actuated by a motor driven cog which has an axis of rotation displaceable in dependence upon the direction of rotation of the motor.

Preferably the indication is not predetermined.

Preferably the actuating means comprises at least one switch and the controlling means comprises sampling means, for sampling a signal having an alternating waveform to give a selected signal of one of two values, the indicating means being driven to either give a positive or negative indication in response to a respective selected signal. Alternatively, the controlling means may comprise a random number or pseudo random number generator.

The invention finds particular application in apparatus for playing a fortune telling or decision making game in which a player or players request(s) the figure to choose one of a plurality of "fortune" cards, each placed on a respective said switch, so that when a card is pressed, the toy figure will give an unpredictable yes or no response as to whether or not the card should be taken.

Preferably the model figure comprises a fashion doll.

According to the invention in a second aspect, there is provided apparatus for moving the head of a model figure comprising first means for causing the head to swing back and forth about a transverse axis and second means for causing the head to swing back and forth about a longitudinal axis so as to cause the head to nod or shake.

According to the invention in a third aspect, there is provided apparatus for playing a game comprising a model figure having means for giving a positive or negative indication, a switch unit having a plurality of switches, a region for receiving a playing card being associated with each switch and means for actuating said indication means upon selection of a said switch to give an unpredictable said indication.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows detail of the back of the doll of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic circuitry of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the upper body of the doll shown in Fig. 1 showing the gearing arrangement for moving the head.

Fig. 5 is a part disassembled view of the gearing shown in Fig. 1, with the motor ana top cover panel removed and the first slidable member shown detached.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the gearing shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view across 7-7' of Fig.

4.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view across 8-8' of Fig.

7.

Fig. 9 shows a first set of cards suitable for use in playing a first game with the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-8.

Fig. 10 shows a second set of cards for use in playing a second game with the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-8.

Fig. 11 shows a third set of cards suitable for playing a third game using the apparatus of Figs. 1-8.

With reference to the figures, an embodiment of the amusement apparatus of the invention is shown, which generally comprises a fashion doll 100 and a control unit 200. The fashion doll 100 is arranged to be completely separate, so that it may be used as a normal doll independently of the amusement apparatus.

In order to attach the doll 100 to the control unit 200, a base 102 having hollow cylindrical portions 104, 106 is provided in which the legs 108, 110 of the doll 100 can engage. A plate 112 of the base 102 is slidably engageable between slots (not shown) formed in the control unit 200, so that the doll 100, when engaged with the base 102, can stand behind the control until 200.

The control unit 200 includes an electrical lead 202 which is connectable to a complementary connector 114 provided in the back of the doll 100 as shown in Fig.

2. The control unit 200 is further provided with a "crystal ball" generally designated 204 which comprises a bulb 206 having a spherical shade 208, these being mounted on a pedestal 210 which is connectable to the control unit 200 by means of complementary electrical/mechanical connectors 212/214. The control unit 200 is further provided with a battery compartment for receiving batteries 222 and an on/off switch 224.

The control unit 200 includes three movable panels 216, 218, 220 which are formed in slight depressions relative to their surrounding surface, each for receiving a game card as described hereinafter. Each panel 216, 218, 220 is biased into an upward position by a spring (not shown) and is connected to a normally closed switch 230, 232, 234, as shown schematically in Fig. 3.

The control unit 200 includes electrical circuitry which controls a mechanism for causing the head of the doll 100 randomly to either nod or shake following depression of one or the three switch panels 216-220.

The electrical operation of the control unit 200 will be explained with reference to Fig. 3. The control unit 200 operates in response to depression of one of the 3 panels 216, 218, 220, this opening one of the switches 230, 232, 234 which are serially disposed.

This in turn will randomly or pseudo-randomly choose the direction of rotation of a motor 114 which turn will cause the head of the doll to nod or shake via a mechanism as described below with reference to Figs.

4-8.

With reference to Fig. 3, the switches 230-234 are connected to 2 latches 236, 238. Latch 236 is, in turn connected to a sample and hold circuit 240 which is fed with a square wave signal from square wave generator 242. The latch is further connected, via a delay circuit 244 to a normally open switch 246. The output from the delay circuit 244 is further fed back to the reset input R of latches 236, 238. The output from sample/hold circuit 240 is fed to switch 246 and then, via an inverting amplifier 248 and buffer amplifier 250 to motor 114. A non-inverted signal output from sample and hold circuit 240 is fed to the opposed terminal of motor 114 via signal line 252 and buffer amplifier 253. Latch 238 is connected to bulb 206 of crystal ball 204.

In use, when one of the three switches 230, 232, 234 is depressed, this opens the selected switch, which is sensed at the inverting input S of latch 236.

This, in turn causes the output of the latch to go high and this leading edge is sensed at the control input S of sample and hold circuit 240. This causes the circuit 240 to sample the square wave signal from square generator 242 to produce either a high or low output which is fed to line 252 and switch 246.

When the output from the latch 236 goes high, this is also sensed by delay element 244, the output of which, after a delay of several seconds, goes high, this actuating and closing switch 246. Inverting amplifier 248 changes the polarity of the signal from switch 246, the inverted signal being amplified by power amplifier 250 before being fed to motor 114. A non-inverted output signal is fed on line 252, so that, depending upon the sense of the signal held by sample and hold circuit 240, (high or low), line 252 will either be high or low with the signal on line 254 being the opposite, thus providing differing voltage signals for driving motor M in one direction or the other.As the time base of the oscillator 242 is completely independent of the time at which one of the switches 230, 232 or 234 is depressed, the direction which the motor turns in response to depression of one of the switches is effectively random.

The signal from delay circuit 244, while actuating switch 246 also acts to reset latch 236, so that the output therefrom goes low. This will not effect the output of the sample/hold circuit, as this only responds to the rising edge of a signal from latch 236 but will be sensed by delay circuit 244, the output of which, after a delay of a few seconds, will go low, thus opening switch 246 and deactuating motor 114.

Latch 238 is actuated and deactuated in the same manner as latch 236 and acts to light the bulb 206 of the crystal ball 204 at the instant one of the switches 230-234 is depressed. The latch 238 is reset by a high signal on delay line 244 so that the bulb will go out when the switch is 246 is actuated.

Thus, the circuit acts to give the impression that, first, the crystal ball 204 is glowing in response to the depression of one of the three switches 230, 232, 234 and then, after the crystal ball 204 has been extinguished, the doll will indicate what she has "seen" in the crystal by nodding or shaking her head, 111 in dependence upon the direction of rotation of motor 114.

The mechanism for causing the doll's head to move as described is shown in Figs. 4-8. With reference-to Fig. 4, a cross-section through the upper body of the doll 100 is shown. The upper body. is formed in two casing halves of which one half, labelled 120 is shown. The legs 108, 110 are attached to the casing 120 at joints 122, 124 and the arms of the doll 100 are mounted for rotation in circular bearing mountings 126, 128.

The mechanism for moving the head of the doll is driven by the motor 114, which is rotatable in either direction. The motor is connected, via lead wires 132, 134 to connector 114 and is mounted on a gearing mounting base 136.

The gearing mounting base 136 is shown in more detail in Figs. 5 and 6 and supports two gear trains which are selectively engageable by the motor in dependence upon the direction of the motor's rotation.

The motor includes a worm gear 138 which engages a corresponding bevel gear 140. The bevel gear 140 is coaxially connected to a first gear wheel 142 which meshes with a second gear wheel 144 of larger diameter. The second gear wheel 144 is connected via an axle 148 to a cog 146. The axle 148 is held in slots 150, 152 formed respectively, in a front mounting member 154 shown in Fig. 4 and the mounting base 136.

Depending upon the position of axle 148 relative to slots 150, 152, cog 146 can engage either a third gear wheel 156 or fourth gear wheel 158.

Third gear wheel 156 forms part of the first gear train. This gear wheel is mounted on axle 160 upon which a circular member 162 is eccentrically mounted. The circular member 162 engages a first sliding member 164 which is provided with first and second ribs 166, 168 which mate loosely against the circumference of circular member 162. A second circular member 170 of smaller diameter projects from circular member 162 and engages within a slot 172 of sliding member 164. Similarly, a third circular member 174, which projects from fourth gear wheel 158 is received in opening 176 in sliding member 164, the engagement between the circular members 170, 174 and openings 172, 176 holding the member and preventing its rotation relative to base 136, while allowing sliding movement transversely of casing 120.

It can be seen that rotation of circular member 162 by gear 156 will, due to the eccentric mounting of member 162, cause the sliding member 164 to slide transversely in the directions of arrows C.

The fourth gear wheel 158 is connected via axle 178 to circular member t80 which is mounted on the rear of base 136. Circular member 180 is received between ribs 182, 184 of a second sliding member 186 so that rotation of circular member 180 by gear 158 will cause member 186 and in particular projection 187 thereof to move up and down in the direction of arrows E.

Sliding member 169 is used to cause the head 111 of doll 100 to shake whereas sliding member 186 is used to make the head 111 of doll 100 nod.

This is achieved by connecting these sliding members to a neck joint member 190 which is shown in more detail in Figs 7 and 8.

The neck joint member 190 comprises a circular base portion 191 to which is connected a transverse cylindrical bar 192. The bar is arranged to slide and rotate about its axis within two slots 193, 194 formed in the casing portion 120 at opposed edges of the bar 192. The circular portion 191 is arranged to fit loosely between the members forming the slots 193, 194 as shown in Fig. 7. The circular portion 191 includes a slot 195 for receiving a cylindrical projection 169 of first sliding member 164 and a tab 196 for engaging projecting portion 187 of second sliding member 186.

The neck joint member 190 further includes a T-shaped projection 197 which is received within a hollow portion of the doll's head 111 for connection thereto.

The gearing mechanism operates as follows: With the motor turning in a first direction, to rotate bevel gear 140 in the direction of the arrow A as shown in Fig. 5, this will not only cause rotation of second gear wheel 144 but also will cause movement of axle 148 in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 5 so that cog 146 engages third gear wheel 156. This in turn will cause eccentrically mounted circular member 1-62 to rotate thus causing sliding member 164 to reciprocate in the direction of the arrow C shown in Figs. 4 and 7. Pin 169 of sliding member 164 is received in slot 195 of neck member 190 and sliding movement of pin 169 as shown by arrow C of Fig. 4 will cause circular member 191 to rotate about its central axis; the member 191 cannot follow the lateral movement of pin 169 as it is constrained by the members forming slots 193, 194.Thus, the reciprocating motion of pin 169 causes a corresponding reciprocating rotation illustrated by arrow D, which provides the visual effect of the doll 100 shaking her head.

If motor 130 is rotated in the reverse direction, this causes bevel gear 140 and first gear wheel 142 to rotate cog 146 in the reverse direction to that illustrated by arrow A and axle 148 will move so that cog 146 contacts and rotates fourth gear wheel 158.

This in turn causes circular member 180 to rotate about axle 178 and to move sliding member 186 up and down in the directions of arrows E of Fig. 6. This reciprocating motion will cause projection 187 of second sliding member 186 to engage projection 196 of neck member 190. This will, in turn, cause the neck member 190 to pivot about the axis of cylindrical bar 192 and rotate as shown by arrows F thus causing neck member 190 to "nod". When the member 186 moves downwardly, a coil spring 198 mounted on pin 169 acts on the sides of slot 195 to restore the position of neck member 190.

The apparatus as described can be used as an amusement device in which the doll 100 will indicate a yes or no answer in response to depression of one of the switches 230, 232 or 234.

The device can be used in a number of games of which three examples will now be given.

In a first game, for two or three players, six cards of which the "face up" sides are shown in Fig. 9, are used. The cards labelled 1, 2 and 3 are placed on the three panels 216, 218, 220 of the control unit 200. The six other cards are divided between the players who look at them. One of the cards is labelled a "friendship card" 400 and whoever has this card has to give it to one of the two other players but make choose which one. The players decide on the order of play so that the "one" card belongs to the first player, the "two" card belongs to the second player and the "three" card belongs to the third player. The players then each take it in turn to "ask" the doll 100 if he/she can take a card from one of the other players and touch the number card belonging to the player from whom he/she wants to take a card.Touching the card depresses the respective switch 230, 232, 234. If the doll 100 nods "yes", the player gets the card, if the doll shakes her head "no", that player's turn is over and it is the next player's turn. The game is played until all six cards are held by one player who is the winner.

For two players, the game is exactly the same except tht the number 3 card is removed, so that only two panels 216, 218 are used.

In a second game, which uses cards of which the face up side is shown in Fig. 10, the amusement apparatus can be used for telling the future. This game is for any number of players and the twelve cards shown in Fig. 10 are shuffled and placed face down. Three are then chosen without looking and placed one in each of the positions 216, 218, 220 of the base. The doll is then asked a question that requires a yes or no answer. After the question has been asked out loud, one of the three cards on the unit 200 is touched, this opening the respective switch. If the doll nods her head "yes", the card is taken and read out. If the doll shakes her head "no", the player touches one of the other two cards. If the doll continues to shake her head for all three cards, the cards are replaced by three more until the doll 100 nods her head "yes".

In the third game, using the cards shown in Fig. 11, the amusement apparatus is used to "tell a fortune.

The twelve shown in Fig. 11 are shuffled and three are picked without looking and placed face down on the positions 216, 218, 220. The player then picks a number from 1-3 and then asks the doll 100 "is my fortune on this card"? and touches one of the three cards. If the doll nods her head "yes", the player picks up the card and reads the fortune next to the number he or she has chosen. If the doll shakes her head "no", the player tries another card. If the doll shakes her head to two or three cards, three new cards are chosen and so on until the doll nods her head "yes".

While one embodiment of the invention has been described, this is not to be construed as limitative. For example, instead of the doll providing a mechanical yes or not movement of the head, this movement may be replaced by a voice synthesised unit producing a "yes" or "no", sound.

Furthermore, the three switches have been shown as serially connected, they may equally well be connected in parallel to different circuits.

Whereas a fashion doll has been described, this is not to be construed as limitative and this may be replaced by a head or head and shoulders, for example.

Claims (19)

1. Amusement apparatus comprising a model figure or part thereof having means for giving a positive or negative indication, a plurality of regions, each for receiving a playing card and means for actuating and controlling said indication means upon selection of a said region to give an unpredictable said indication.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indication means comprises means for causing the head of the figure to shake or nod, thus indicating no or yes.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the indication means comprises motor driven gearing having first and second gear trains, the first gear train causing the head to pivot back and forth about a transverse axis and the second train causing the head to swing back and forth about a longitudinal axis.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the gear trains are independently actuated.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 comprising a motor and a motor driven cog having an axis of rotation displaceble in dependence upon the direction of rotation of the motor, to actuate one or other gear trains.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the indication is not pre-determined.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuating means comprises a plurality of switches.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each switch is disposed in a corresponding region.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the actuating means comprises sampling means, for sampling a signal having an alternating wave form to give a selected signal of one of two values, the indicating means being driven to either give a positive or negative indication in response to a respective selected signal.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-8 wherein the actuating means comprises a random or pseudo random generator.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the model figure comprises a fashion doll.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a housing in which said actuating means are disposed.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a lamp, the lamp being illuminated by the actuating means upon selection of a said switch.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the actuating means upon selection of a said region causes said lamp to light and then go out, after which said indication means is actuated.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said lamp is disposed within a model crystal ball.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a plurality of playing cards to be placed on said regions.

17. Amusement apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Apparatus for playing a game comprising a model figure or part thereof having means for giving a positive or negative indication, a plurality of playing cards, a plurality of regions, each for receiving a playing card and means for actuating and controlling said indication means upon selection of a playing card received on a said region, to give an unpredictable said indication.

19. Apparatus for playing a game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.