GB274188A - Improvements relating to amusement devices - Google Patents

Abstract

274,188. Bailey, W. H., and Kneebone, A. April 14, 1926. Ball-shying games.-An amusement apparatus for playing a game of skill comprises a rotating plate having a number of areas marked out or otherwise distinguished as targets and provided with a separate indicating device which, when any one of the targets is struck by a ball or similar missile, is caused by means of connecting mechanism controlled by the target which is struck, to indicate which target has been struck. A motor 17 rotates an apertured disc 2 at the back of which are hinged spring-pressed bars 8 carrying illuminated coloured screens 11 displayed through the apertures 1. When a missile, for example, a rubber ball is thrown or projected against a screen its supporting bar 8 is knocked back and retained by a spring-pressed catch until the catch is displaced by coming against a projection 37 on the frame when the bar 8 returns to its normal position. Before this return, however, the rotation of the disc 2 brings the end of the displaced bar 8 against a roller 23 carried by a lever 24. The lever is thus depressed, and by means of a cord 27 and chain 28 rotates a oneway sprocket wheel 29 freely upon the spindle 30 of a counting mechanism. When the bar 8 has passed the roller 23, the lever 24 and chain 28 return under spring action, retarted by a dashpot, and the spindle 30 is rotated a corresponding amount. A tens drum 31 is secured to the spindle 30 to indicate the added score. The units figure is displayed on a fixed zero plate 38. The arms 8 vary in length according to their scoring values and depress the lever 24 corresponding amounts, the rotations of the tens drum 31 being similarly influenced. The transfer from the tens drum to the hundreds drum 39 is effected by a spring arm 40 on the tens drum engaging recesses in the side of the hundreds drum but held out of the recesses, except at the transfer position, by a stationary cam surface 42. The hundreds drum is retained by a spring-pressed catch 46. To zeroize the indicator the attendant pulls a hand-lever 43 thus withdrawing the catch 46 and allowing the hundreds drum to rotate to zero position under the influence of a weighted portion. The tens drum is zeroized through a lever 24 which is connected to the hand-lever, and is pulled down sufficiently for the purpose according to the judgment of the attendant. To prevent undesirable rebound of the rubber balls light netting may be placed in front of the rotating disc. Shoots may be arranged to lead the balls back to the throwing position. The scoring mechanism may be automatically zeroized after the last of a series of balls has been thrown.