US1678462A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 24, 1928. 1,678,462

F. cucmo-r'ro GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1928 $51 1:43: amine? w MKW Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STAilifi.

FRANCESCO cuorno'r'ro, on NEW 1 031:, n. Y.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed January This invention relates to games, and particularly to games of the type characterized by a rotatable member carrying numbers or other devices adapted to designate different values to be selected by theplayer, in combination with a stationary pointer or index device adapted to be placed near the path of the first named :devices as they move around when the player spins the rotating 1nember, so that the index device will indicateqthe one of said numbers which-is to score when the rotating member stops its rotation, the player being entitled to score that number if he has guessed correctly the number which will be nearest the index device. a

An object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of the aforesaid character in which the. rotating member" and its number-carrying members, and also the index device, are of novel and attractive form, and in which the means for operating the apparatus are of such a character as to avoid easy selection of a, winning numberand at the same time to make it possible for each player to have a fair and equal chance in-vmaking his selection while the apparatus is in motion.

The above, and other objects of the invention, are illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specification and are pointed out in the claims.

;In the drawings, the figure shows in elevation, partly in section, a now-preferred form of game apparatus in which the'ivnven tion is embodied.

In the illustrated embodimentythe part is supported by a table 8, the standard 4 of which is preferably hollow, as indicated.

discor member 5 supported on anti-friction bearings 6 in position to rotate'freely in a horizontal plane when spun by hand.

This rotating member carries a series of index members a, preferably bearing numbers, as illustrated, which designate the numerical values respectively assigned to each, the members a being suitably supported from the periphery of the disk 5, preferably dangling on flexible cords or chains a, so that they swing freely as the disk spins.

In further pursuance of the invention,an indicator device 6 is provided, which is adapted to be placed in the path of the dan- Serial N0. 246,060.

gling indx members a, aiding, by engageinent therewith, to bring the disk to a stand still gradually, and any suitable means may be provided to support this indicator device in the desired position. e

In accordance with another object of the invention, the supporting means preferably is adapted to permit the indicator device I) to be moved out of the path of the dangling index members a before the player spins the disk 5, so that the disk may be caused to rotate with relative rapidity before the indicator acts upon the index members, the object of this being to prevent the player from controlling the movement of the disk, as the general purpose of the game is to have one or more players guess the number whichwill stand nearest to the indicatordevice b when the disk'comes to'a standstilbas for example the number 7 in the instance illustrated.

A'now-preferred form of supporting means is illustrated in the'form of a carrier 6 for the indicator device I), this carrier being mounted on a flexible cable or chain 6 which runs over a pulley b mounted in the wall of the column land then extends downwardly through the column to a windless Z) concealed within the base 2, and from which another cable or chain 6 extends down into the tubular standard 4, having a weight b of suitable size to cause the windlass to wind on the cable Z2 when released, and thus raise the carrier 6 to the position shown, in which the indicator device 6 is in the path of the swingingindexmembers a.

As a suitable form of means to draw up the weight b and permit the cable 6 to unwind, allowing the carrier 5 to descend with the indicator device, out of the path of thedangling index members a, the Windlass At the top of the column 1 is mounted a is provided with a crankshaft 6 extending out through the wall of the base 2, so that the operator of. the game can turn the Windlass bf, thus elevating the weight 6 at t-he same time permitting the descent of the indicator device I) as the cable 6 unwinds from the Windlass, and when the operator removes his hand from the crank 6 a spring-pressed brake 6 which bears against the barrel of the Windlass at 6 tends to hold. the windlass with the weight b in the elevated position indicated by dotted lines.

Inthis position, the apparatus is ready for play, and then the operator spins the winding up the cable 6 and loo disk 5 rapidly, and presses a button 7) which releases the brake b and thus permits the Weight b to turn the Windlass 5* winding on the cable 6 and drawingthe indi cator device (3 up into'the path of lZlEG'SWll'lfing index members a, so that the motion oi. the latter is gradually arrested as already described, and the player who has guessed correctly the number 7 is credited With that score.

It is preferred to'make the indicator device b in the form of a flag, as illustrated, and also to make the carrier in the form of a mannikin, since this imparts a-litelike and attractive appearance to the game, anddraws the attention of prospective players, when the game is in action, the mannikin carrying up the flag 6 with a jump. Which alsoserves the purpose of avoiding conscious selection of a number by any player, or by the operator, as the players can make their selections of numbers While the disk 5 is still rotating rapidly before the flaghiscarriedinto the path of the swinging index members a.

If desired,.the flag 6 may be. so arranged that the dangling index membersa will be caused toswing by centrifugal force, at the beginning of rotation of the disk, in a pathv outside that in which thefiag. Z) is placed,

that the difliculty of consciously selecting. a

Winning number will be increased, the selections of numbers being required bel'ore the disk 5 rotates slowly enough to permit the dangling members a to swim in the path in L. a, #5 .L

which stands the indicator device b.

The manner in which the members a are connected to their individual flexible holders a also permits them to turn about their ver tlcal axes readily, when they engage the flag Zi in passing, so that the retarding el fect of the flag is very gradual, and this rotation of the lHClQX members prevents the players from reading. thenumbers easily until the disk slows down considerably, this arrangement enhancing the uncertainty of selection, and imparting a pleasing. element of suspense as to the outcome o t the play.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus characterized by a rotor having a series of dangling members adapted to be carried around in a circular path by said rotor, and characterized fun ther by an indicator device adapted to be moved into the path of said dangling mem bers to arrest their circular movement grad ually, means tending, tomovesaid indicator:

device automatically into said arresting po-- sition, manually operated means to move said indicator device. at times out of said arresting position, and a controlling device to control said movements, said controlling device being adapted for operation manually to release said means for moving said indicator device into said arresting position.

2. A game apparatus characterized by a rotor having a series of dangling members adapted to be carried around in a circular path by said rotor, and: characterizedv further by an indicator device: adapted to be moved into the path of said dangling meme hers to arrest their circular movement gradually, means tending to move. said indicator device automatically into said arresting'position, manually operated means. to move said indicator device at times out of said arresting position, and a controlling'device to control said movements, said controlling device being adapted for operation manually to release said means for moving said indicator device into said arresting position and said latter means being adapted to cause a rapid movement of said indicator deviceto said arresting position;

A game apparatus characterized: by a rotor having a series of dangling members adapted to be. carried around in a circular path by! said rotor, and characterized. further by an indicator. device adapted: to be moved into the path of said dangling members to arrest their circularmovement gradually, therefor adapted to draw said. indcator de vice into said: arresting? position, a. Weight llilVlIlfl a flexible member also adapted to be wound' upon said Windlass in such a; manner that when said Weight ClBSCGDtlS'lt turnsisaid Windlass to draw-said indicator device intosaid. arresting position'means to permit said Windlass to be turned manually to wind up said weight,- a device adapted to. control ro cation or" said \vindlass'by said Weight, and means to release said controlling device at times to permit said Weight. to cause movement of said indicator device to said arrest-- ing position.- i

4. A form of the game apparatus as in claim 2-, in which said indicator device includes maunikincarrying a flag and adapted" to move with: a jump toward the path of movement of said index members.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification. i v

rnAN-onsoo OUGINOTTO;

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