GB2343849A - Coin pusher machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin pusher machine comprises means to retain coins and means to introduce coins from the retention means to the playing field under player control. The machine can comprise a hopper for collecting winning coins which can be re-introduced to the game or returned to the player under the player's control.

Description

PUSHER AMUSEMENT MACHINE This invention relates to a pusher amusement machine.

Pusher amusement machines are well known and they are to be found in many amusement arcades. Known pusher machines comprise a device or plurality of devices for accepting a player's coin (or token), a playfield with a pusher member for pushing the coin (or token) over the playfield and towards the playfield edge. Coins (or tokens) falling over the edge of the playfield are usually received in a collection tray where they represent winnings. A proportion of all coins (or tokens) played in a pusher are directed from the playfield surface into a machine collection box where they represent the machine revenue for the amusement arcade.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved pusher amusement machine.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pusher amusement machine including a coin or voucher input; means for retaining a coin to voucher in a specified location in the machine; means for introducing into a play area of the machine a coin, voucher or other playing token from the retaining means; and means actuatable by a player for operating the introducing means.

In existing machines, the coin or voucher is immediately introduced into the play area. However, with the preferred embodiments of the present invention the introduction of a coin, voucher or other playing token into the playing area is separately controllable by the player. This can enable better control of the game and faster sequential introduction of several coins, vouchers or other playing tokens in cases where a plurality of coins or vouchers are stored in the retaining area.

There may be provided returning means for returning one or more coins, vouchers or other playing tokens to the retaining means for collection by the player or for re-introduction into the game. Thus, any winnings need not necessarily be dispersed to the player but may be re-introduced for possible future plays.

There is preferably provided user actuatable means for selecting whether to dispense or re-introduce into play accumulated coins, vouchers or other playing tokens.

According to another of the present invention, there is provided a pusher amusement machine including retaining means for retaining coins, vouchers or other playing tokens for collection by the player or for introduction into the game; and returning means for returning one or more coins, vouchers or other playing tokens to the retaining means for collection by the player or for re-introduction into the game.

The present invention can provide an improvement to the known pusher machines which enables a player to play at a faster rate, thereby making a more exciting game.

There is preferably provided a coin validator of a known type, preferably the electronic type, capable of accepting coins and tokens of different values.

There may be provided a numeric display which indicates the number of games available for the particular coin or coins accepted by the validator.

Typically, a push button is provided which, when pressed, gives one game by dispensing a coin (or token) of play onto the playfield. Of course, any other mechanism could be used, including a lever, dial, toggle switch and so on.

A second numeric display may be provided to record the number of winning coins pushed over the edge of the playfield. A push button to collect the winnings or transfer them to the games may be provided so that they can be used for further games.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, in which: Figure 1 shows front and side elevational schematic views of a first embodiment of pusher amusement machine; and Figure 2 shows front and side elevational schematic views of a second embodiment of pusher amusement machine.

The basic mechanism of the pusher machines shown in the Figures is similar to that of prior art machines. They typically include a platform on which there is provided a plurality of coins, a reciprocating wall or"pusher"which operates to push the coins towards an open end of the platform. Any coins which fall over the end of the platform are winnings which are given to the player.

The pusher machine of the present embodiment of Figure 1 includes an electronic coin validator 1 capable of accepting several coins of different values and a counter by which the number of games available for the particular coin accepted by the validator is displayed on a numeric display 2. A coin counting hopper of a known type 3 contains coins (or tokens) which are the coins of play.

As with known systems, there is provided a vertical chute through which coins of play pass down to the playfield.

An illuminated push button switch 4, when pressed, causes the hopper 3 to dispense one coin and at the same time decrement the value shown on the numeric game display 2. The coin dispensed from the hopper is fed to the playfield 5 and then functions as in known pusher machines.

Coins pushed over the edge of the playfield are passed into another coin counting hopper 6 and are counted. For each coin counted a winning numeric display 7 increments by one.

There is a second illuminated push button switch 8 which allows the player to"collect"the winnings. When this button is pressed the machine has means to dispense a payment to the player equivalent to the value of winnings shown on the winning numeric display. As the payout is made the winning display decrements until it reads zero when the payout is complete.

The embodiment of Figure 2 provides an alternative in which the player can select to transfer the value displayed to the game numeric indicator 2 and these can be played as previously described.

The pusher machine described can be fitted with an escalator hopper of a known type. This hopper is of a design whereby each time a coin is dispensed it exits from a vertical stack of coins at a higher level.

By using this type of hopper, it means that winning coins when counted by hopper 6 enter this escalator hopper and are then dispensed from the escalator hopper in subsequent games. The advantage of this is that the coins of play are constantly being re-circulated in the machine and so never requires refilling by the operator.

Instead of using coins for play purposes, tokens could be used and these are unaffected by the currency accepted by the validator.

The described embodiment allow for the player to insert many different values of coins instead of a single value of coin as in known pushers, also it allows the player to play more coins at a faster rate which leads to a more exciting game.

There can be variations to the above described embodiments.

For example it may be desirable to add further push button switches so that the player can"cash in"game credits and"win credits"at any time.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS 1. A pusher amusement machine including a coin or voucher input; means for retaining a coin on voucher in a specified location in the machine; means for introducing into a play area of the machine a coin, voucher or other playing token from the retaining means; and means actuatable by a player for operating the introducing means.
2. 2. A machine according to claim 1, wherein the actuatable means allows for the introduction of a coin, voucher or other playing token into the playing area to be separately controllable by a player.
3. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, including returning means for returning one or more coins, vouchers or other playing tokens to the retaining means for collection by the player or for re-introduction into the game.
4. 4. A machine according to claim 1,2 or 3, including user actuatable means for selecting whether to dispense or reintroduce into play accumulated coins, vouchers or other playing tokens.
5. 5. A pusher amusement machine including retaining means for retaining coins, vouchers or other playing tokens for collection by the player or for introduction into the game; and returning means for returning one or more coins, vouchers or other playing tokens to the retaining means for collection by the player or for re-introduction into the game.
6. 6. A machine according to any preceding claim, including a coin validator capable of accepting coins and tokens of different values.
7. 7. A machine according to claim 6, including a numeric display operable to indicate the number of games available for the particular coin or coins accepted by the validator.
8. 8. A machine according to claim 7, including a recording the number of winning coins pushed over the edge of the playfield.
9. 9. A pusher amusement machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.