GB2294408A

GB2294408A - Amusement machine

Info

Publication number: GB2294408A
Application number: GB9519778A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Buckley
Original assignee: WHITTAKER BROS
Current assignee: WHITTAKER BROS
Priority date: 1994-10-24
Filing date: 1995-09-28
Publication date: 1996-05-01
Also published as: GB9519778D0

Abstract

An amusement machine (1), such as a "pusher machine" is arranged to receive pieces from players and to pay out the same as prizes. The pieces (3) such as coins are conveyed onto a playfield (5) into the paths of a moving pusher box (2). The playfield (5) communicates with a collection station (10) so that pieces (5) falling over the edge (7) are supplied to the collection station (1) where they may be paid out as prizes. The machine is provided with player operable means for arresting action of the pusher box (20) or other displacing means. In this way players may use their skill and judgement to select the most appropriate time for supplying a piece (5) to the machine, in dependence upon the relative positions of the pusher box (20) and edge (7) of the playfield. <IMAGE>

Description

AMUSEMENT MACHINE The present invention relates to amusement machines.

The invention is particularly concerned with machines known as "pusher machines", for receiving coins, tokens or other pieces from players and for paying out same as prizes. The invention is also applicable to amusement machines of the type which include a continuous belt for conveying pieces.

Known pusher machines typically comprise a horizontal playfield arranged to receive pieces supplied to the machine by a player. A pusher box is arranged to overlie the playfield and to be movable, usually backwards and forwards, over the playfield so as to push and displace pieces in its path on the playfield. A free edge of the playfield communicates with a collection station. Once pieces are pushed by the pusher box towards the free edge of the playfield, some of the pieces fall off the edge to the collection station to be paid out as prizes to the player. Alternatively or in addition, the fallen pieces in the collection station may actuate a secondary mechanism which is operable to supply pieces to be paid out as prizes.

A variety of pusher machines are presently available. Example machines may include a playfield made up of several stepped platforms at various heights.

Thus, in this case, any one piece must drop several levels before it is received at the collection station.

Some pusher amusement machines may be adapted for use by a single player by including one playfield (optionally at one or more levels). Alternatively, the machine may include a housing which accommodates several independent player positions, each with their own playfield.

Generally, the pusher machines are provided with a movable block which acts as the pusher box. An essentially upright rear panel is typically mounted above the pusher box. The rear panel may include one or more entry chutes or guideways for the pieces, arranged to supply the pieces to the playfield in the path of the movable pusher box. The machine is typically provided with one or more coin receiving apertures which communicate with any such entry chutes/guideways.

Suitably, known pusher machines are arranged so that the pusher box is motor driven, typically to reciprocate backwards and forwards, over the playfield.

Alternatively, the playfield may be driven so as to be movable with respect to the pusher box. As a further alternative pusher machines may be arranged to permit relative rotational movement of the pusher box and playfield.

In addition to the so-called pusher machines, there are amusement machines available of the endless belt type. In this case an endless belt is driven by a motor.

Entry chutes or guideways are provided for supplying pieces to the belt, which acts as a playfield. Pieces may be carried along the belt to actuate a mechanism which is operable to pay out prizes to a player.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative amusement machine, especially one of greater attraction to prospective and actual players.

Accordingly, with this object in mind, in one broad aspect the present invention provides an amusement machine for at least one player, the machine comprising a playfield which communicates with a collection station, means for conveying pieces provided by a player to the playfield, means for displacing pieces on the playfield towards the collection station and player operable means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means.

Suitably, the displacing means includes a generally upright panel (otherwise termed a "pusher box") and means for driving relative movement of the panel with respect to the playfield. Alternatively or in addition, the displacing means may actuate displacement of a playfield such as an endless belt.

Typically, the means for conveying pieces to the playfield are arranged to present the pieces in the path of the displacing means. Example conveying means includes chutes and/or guideways arranged to communicate with piece entry apertures in the machine.

The amusement machine of the present invention includes player operable means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means. Thus, in one broad aspect the invention provides a pusher type machine with player operable means for cutting out action or displacement of a pusher box. This is a most advantageous feature of the present invention and it is expected to enhance player appeal of the present pusher amusement machines. The present invention allows a player to use their skill and judgement to select the appropriate and most advantageous time for supplying a piece to the machine, in dependence upon the relative arrangement of the displacing means and the pieces already played on the playfield.Thus, a player may seek to supply a new piece to the machine in such a way that it reaches the playfield at an appropriate location so that, upon subsequent operation of the displacing means, there is a likelihood of pieces being supplied to the collection station.

In preferred embodiments, the means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means include player operable means for cutting out a driving means of the displacing means. Preferably, in cases where the displacing means are motor driven, the player operable arresting means include means for actuating a cut out for the motor. Suitably, the machine includes a housing and such actuation means take the form of a switch on the external surface of the housing. In particularly preferred embodiments, any such switch takes the form of a depressible button.

In some preferred embodiments, the means for arresting action of the displacing means are operable by a player to stop action or displacement of the displacing means for only a predetermined period of time.

Preferably, the machine is arranged so that a player can arrest action of the displacing means for a period of time corresponding to that for which the actuation means are operated, up to a predetermined maximum. For example, in cases where the actuation means is in the form of a button, preferably the actuation means is effective to arrest action of the displacing means for the period of time for which the button is depressed, up to a predetermined maximum.

Thus, in some preferred embodiments the amusement machine is provided with an override mechanism for the means for arresting actuation of the displacing means.

An example mechanism may be put into operation after a predetermined period of time. In this respect, in particularly preferred embodiments, control means for the displacing means are adapted to actuate action of the arrested displacing means after a predetermined period of time.

Preferably, in cases where such an override mechanism is provided, the mechanism is arranged to be adjustable by an operator (and not by a player) to set the appropriate predetermined time period.

Alternatively, or in addition, in some preferred embodiments, means are provided for overriding the player operable means for arresting action of the displacing means once the number of pieces subsequently supplied to the machine reaches a predetermined maximum. Preferably, the machine includes count means for counting the number of pieces supplied to the machine and control means adapted to actuate action of the displacing means once the number of pieces has reached a desired maximum.

Preferably, any such mechanism is adjustable so that the operator (and not the player) can pre-set the machine in accordance with any one of a number of maximum values.

In the present machines, the collection station may be accessible to a player so that pieces received in the collection station are paid out as prizes. In the alternative, the collection station may be arranged to communicate with a secondary mechanism so that pieces received in the collection station actuate release of a remote bank of pieces to be paid out as prizes.

In another broad aspect the present invention provides a control mechanism for displacing means in an amusement machine as described above. The control mechanism includes player operable means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means, preferably also with one or more associated override mechanisms.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an amusement machine of the "pusher" type; Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an example control mechanism for a "pusher" amusement machine; and Fig. 3 shows example circuitry for a "pusher" machine.

Turning firstly to Fig. 1, this shows the basic features of a pusher type machine 1. The machine includes a generally horizontal playfield 5 having a free edge 7 which communicates with a collection station 10.

The collection station 10 typically includes a well to which the player has access to collect pieces paid out as prizes.

A displacing means is provided in the form of a pusher box 20 and an associated motor (not illustrated) for driving displacement thereof. The pusher box is capable of reciprocating backwards and forward over the playfield 5 between positions X and Y.

The machine 1 also includes means for conveying pieces 3 to the playfield 5 in the path of the pusher box 20. In the illustrated embodiment this includes a chute 12 on the box 20 and which contains several guide pegs 13 spaced apart to define paths for the pieces 3. The pusher box 20 and playfield 5 are accommodated in a housing. The chute 12 communicates with entry apertures for receiving the pieces in the housing from a player.

In the illustrated embodiment a control mechanism is provided to permit the player to selectively arrest displacement of the pusher box 20. The example mechanism is illustrated schematically in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 2, motor control means 30 are provided for switching the motor for the pusher box 20 on and off. The motor control 30 is arranged to be operable by a button 32. The button 32 is illuminated and marked "hold". The hold button 32 is located on the machine housing, typically alongside the entry apertures for the pieces 3. Thus, the hold button 32 is capable of actuating the motor control to cut out the motor for the pusher box 20. Release of the hold button 32 is effective to restart the motor.

The illustrated control mechanism also includes means for overriding the action of the hold button 32.

In this case, a timer 36 is arranged to also selectively operate the motor control 30, so as to actuate the motor to restart movement of pusher box 20 once the hold button 32 has been depressed for a predetermined period of time.

The timer 36 is suitably adjustable so that an operator can select the appropriate time period for a given machine upon manufacture and/or installation.

An additional means for overriding action of the hold button 32 incorporates a counter 34. This is arranged to operate the motor control 30 so as to actuate the motor to restart movement of pusher box 20 once a selected number of pieces have been supplied to the machine. Again, an appropriate counter 34 is preferably selected to be adjustable so that an operator can select from within a range the appropriate maximum number of pieces for a certain machine.

The amusement machine may be employed as follows.

The motor is actuated to drive the pusher box 20 backwards and forwards over the playfield 5 between positions X and Y. A player supplies pieces 3 to the machine, through one or more entry apertures in the machine housing. The pieces 3 pass down chute 12 to fall on playfield 5 and to join pieces 3 played earlier. The pusher box 20 displaces any pieces 3 in its path to push them towards the free edge 7 of the playfield 5.

Sometimes this causes pieces 3 to pile one on top of the other. However, eventually, once a sufficient number of pieces are provided on the playfield 5, subsequent movement of the pusher box 20 is effective to displace one or more pieces 3 over the free edge 7 of the playfield so that they pass to collection station 10 for payment as prizes to the player.

In the present invention the player may use their skill and judgement to decide on the appropriate stage in the cycle of movement of the pusher box 20 for supply of a piece 3 to the machine, with the intention of maximising likelihood of that piece being effective to actuate displacement of previously played pieces 3 over the free edge 7. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, a player may depress the "hold" button 32 to cut out the motor for the pusher box 20 and thereby stop movement of the pusher box 20. Whilst the pusher box 20 is stationary the player may insert one or more pieces 3 into the machine.

When the hold button 32 is released, the motor is restarted to move the pusher box 20. The motor may also be restarted before release of the hold button 32, either after a predetermined period of time (under influence of timer 36) or once a predetermined maximum number of pieces 3 have been supplied to the machine (under the influence of counter 34).

It is expected that provision of a hold button, which permits a player to influence the appropriate time in the cycle of the pusher box for insertion of pieces into the machine will enhance player appeal of such pusher type machines.

Various modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the playfield may be stepped.

Also the machine may have more than one pusher box independently displaceable over a playfield. In addition, any machine may house more than one independent player positions. Furthermore, the playfield may take the form of an endless belt and the displacing means may be a motor drive for effecting movement of the belt.

Example circuitry is illustrated in Fig. 3. This shows an example control mechanism including a solid state relay (SSR) for actuating the motor for moving the pusher box. A central processing unit (CPU) controls actuation of the relay. A suitable CPU is available under the trade name PIC 1654. The mechanism also incorporates a hold button and override.

In more detail, the override comprises a coin select switch and input coin switches. The coin select switch may be set by the manufacturer/installer to require a certain predetermined number of coins to be supplied to the apparatus to bring the override into effect. The input coin switches and SSR are actuated once the predetermined number of coins have been supplied. The illustrated circuitry shows three input coin switches, suitable for apparatus with three coin entry slots.

Clearly, any number of entry slots and corresponding switches may be employed. It will be appreciated that the enclosed circuitry is provided by way of example only.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An amusement machine comprising a playfield which communicates with a collection station, means for conveying pieces provided by a player to the playfield, means for displacing pieces on the playfield towards the collection station and player operable means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means.

2. An amusement machine according to claim 1 wherein the displacing means includes a pusher box and means for driving relative movement of the box with respect to the playfield.

3. An amusement machine according to claim 2 wherein the pusher box comprises a generally upright panel which overlies the playfield.

4. An amusement machine according to claim 1 wherein the displacing means actuates displacement of the playfield.

5. An amusement machine according to any preceding claim wherein the means for conveying pieces to the playfield are arranged to present the pieces in the path of the displacing means.

6. An amusement machine according to any preceding claim wherein the conveying means includes chutes and/or guideways arranged to communicate with piece entry apertures in the machine.

7. An amusement machine according to any preceding claim wherein the means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means include player operable means for cutting out a driving means for the displacing means.

8. An amusement machine according to claim 7 wherein the displacing means are motor driven and the player operable arresting means include means for actuating a cut out for the motor.

9. An amusement machine according to any preceding claim wherein the means for arresting action of the displacing means are operable by a player to stop action or displacement of the displacing means for a time period up to a predetermined maximum.

10. An amusement machine according to any preceding claim which is provided with an override mechanism for the means for arresting actuation of the displacing means.

11. An amusement machine according to claim 1 wherein control means for the displacing means are adapted to actuate action of the arrested displacing means after a predetermined period of time.

12. An amusement machine according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the override mechanism is arranged to be adjustable by an operator to set the appropriate predetermined time period.

13. An amusement machine according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein means are provided for overriding the player operable means for arresting action of the displacing means once the number of pieces subsequently supplied to the machine reaches a predetermined maximum.

14. An amusement machine according to claim 13 which includes count means for counting the number of pieces supplied to the machine and control means adapted to actuate action of the displacing means once the number of pieces has reached a desired maximum so as to override the player operable meas for arresting action of the displacing means.

15. An amusement machine according to claim 14 wherein the count means is adjustable to enable the machine to be pre-set in accordance with any one of a number of maximum values.

16. An amusement machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any one of the accompanying Figures 1 and 2.

17. A control mechanism for displacing means in an amusement machine as claimed in any preceding claim, the control mechanism including player operable means for selectively arresting action of the displacing means.