US1682926A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

G B. MILLS ET AL GAME APPARATUS Filed Deo. 8, 1926 mil Sept.. 4, 192ge www www l u uw l Sept. 4, 1928. 1,682,926 G. B. MILLS ET AL GAME APPARATUS Filed Dc. 8, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ATTORNEY Septy 4, 551928:,

G. E., MILLS ET AL GAME APPARATUS n Tum E Qhu I- 2 w l l l l l l l l l l l l Ill l l, T

Filed Dec. 8p 1925 G. B. MILLS ET AL GAME APPARATUS Filed Deo. e, 192e 5 sheets-sheet Sept. 4, 1928.

Sept. 4, 1928.

G. MILLS ET AL GAME APPARATUS 5 VSheecs-Sheer.

Filed Deo. 8, 1926 JSG fPatented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES i 1,682,926 PATENT oFF-ica.

GORDON IB. MILLS, 0F OAKLAND, AUGUST J'. SCHMIEDESKAMP, OF BERKELEY, .AND HENRY E. SKINNER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA; SAID AUGUST J. SCHMIEDESKAMP ASSIGNQR TO SAID GORDON B. MILLS AND HENRY E. SKINNEB,

GME APPARATUS.

AApplication led December 8, 1926. Serial No. 153,228.

Our invention `relates to apparatus for playing aV game involving the movlng of pieces or men o-ver a playing field.' I

. An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described in which the moves of the game are effected by the apparatus in accordancewith variable and predetermined settings thereof. Y l i Another object of theinvention is to provide in the apparatus means by which the' different moves of the game are predetermined in accordance with the skill of the operator.

A further object of the inventions to pro-I vide apparatus of the classv described which is particularly arranged to bc operated to `simulate the playing of a baseball game. :f

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some -of which, the foregoing, will be set forth in the following descriptioncf the preferred form `of our invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that we do not limit ourselves toithe showing made by the said drawings and description,` as we may adopt variations of the preferred form/within the scope of our invention as set forth in the claims. O Referring to said drawings,

Figure 1 is a front view of one embodiment, of the game apparatus.

Figure` 2` is a sectional view taken on the line 2'-2 in Figure 1. l

Figure 3 isa f.7

agmentary view taken on Athe line 3-'3 in Figure Mounted on the sides to provide a mounting for the 4various portions of the apparatus; as here shown, the member 21 comprises a pair of plates 22 and 23, the former of which is disposed behind the member 18 in parallel relation thereto, while the latter extends transversely rearwardly of the former in a vertical plane.

The member 18 which provides the playing field, it will now be noted, is formed with sections 24 and 26, the former of which comprises a circular disc, while the latter is of generally rectangular outline and is provided with a circular openingrof slightly greater diameter than the section 24, so that with the section `24 centrally disposed inthe opening of section 26, a continuous space or slot 27 of uniform width is provided between the sections. Each of the sections is fixedly and independently mounted on the plate 22, while the playing field 19 jointly provided by the sections is marked off to representthe playing field of the game to be played with the apparatus. As herewith particularl shown, the game to be played is one in simu ation of a base-ball game, and, accordingly, a playing field for base-ball including the bases therefor, is laid 'off on the eld, it being noted that the four bases will be equally spaced alongV the slot 27. As here shown, men 28 are also indicated on the appropriate parts of the playing surface to further carry-out the effect.

inner field -section 24 is a fixed stub shaft 29,

`Figure 4 is a fragme tary view taken sub- \sucl1 shaft'providing a mounting for an apstantially on the line 4.-,-4'in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlargedI fragmentary view i taken substantially on the line 5-5 in Figtangula'r casing 11 having sides 12 and 13, a.

topkllaand a front wall 15'. The front wall 15, it will be noted` is p-rovided with a transparent pane 17 @behind which is ldisposed a member 18 having delineated thereon a play- J ing vfield 19 for the'game. Mounted in the casing behind the member 18 is a supporting y member 2'1 which cooperates with the casing propriate number of runner pieces or players 31, and also serving to provide the support forthe section 24 at its forward extremity. Mounted o n the shaft is a plurality 4of tubular hubs 32, which hubs are telescopically engaged lfor relative rotation about the shaft axis and are provided at their outer ends with radially extending arms 33. The inner hub, it will be noted, is axially the longest and the other hubs are successively shorter whereby the arms may be free for movement 'Lin different parallel planes and a portion of the' inner end of eachhub will be exposed. The arms 33, it will now be no ted, are each arranged to support a player piece 31 above the playing surface in such manner as to permit the actuation of one or more of the arms to effect a movement of theirplayer pieces plate` 22 to extend forlwardly thereof in coaxial alignment with the l' over the field. Accordingly, player support at the station 36 to overlie the players at such members'34 are provided onv the arms,-such supports extending from the arms through the slot 27 and each having a player piece 31 amounted thereon. -As here shown, 'each of the player pieces 3l is fiatis disposed parallel to the playing surface, and has delineated thereon the simulation of a runner. ln order to permit a close positioning of the player pieces when at the 'starting base `or station 36,

the posts 34 are preferably of such length as 'y near the station'36, a cover 37 for the player pieces positioned' thereat is Ypreferably provided, such cover' being here shown mounted station, and having indicated thereony the hubs, urge the rotation of the latter, and vat base or station and a player in position to bat a ball.

' It will now be clear that one or more of thelplayer pieces to variously position them around the path defined by theslot may tion of the appropriate hub. and means are accordingly provided for effecting such ro-` tation. Mounted for free rotation about the stub shaft 29 is a member 38 having extending forwardly therefroma sleeve'39 which is arranged to overlie lthe .inner and exposed ends of the different hubs 32. Mounted in the sleeve 39 are setsl of opposed shoes 4l.'

the shoes of each set being arranged to maintain a frictional engagement with a' different hub. As here shown, each shoe is carried on a stem,42 mounted for radial movement inV perforations provided inI the sleeve, and rsili'ent ybands 43 are provided which engagel the extremities of the stems of-a set Hwhereby Y the shoes may be resilien'tly` urged inwardly to maintain a lixed degree of frictionalqen- -`gagement with `the hub. In this manner` axial rotation of the sleeve 39 will, Athrongh ythe frictional engagement of the shoes and the Sametime permit such rotation even if 7` one or more of the arms be held against displacement, it being obvious that the structure now described is in eii'ect a friction clutch.`

Means are provi-ded for effecting varying degrees oi rotation of the sleeve 39 whereby the player 'pieces mayl be variablyshifted.

. operatively-connected to the rotatable member'38 by means of a gear 46 mounted'thereon is a gear train 47, the first gear 48 of which 1s rotatably carried on a shaft 49, which exdisplacement of` bel accomplished by effecting a rota- I extending thereacross, is a ,shaft 57 having nesaeac tends rearwardly of theA plate 22 andvlis proarranged to be swung downwardly from such position through an angle of less than 180 degrees, while the gear ratio of the train between the gea-rs46 and 48 is such'that the extreme rotationof the former produced by such downward movementv ofthe arm 5l is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, diferent angular displacements of the arm'51 from its normal position will eifectfdifferent degrees of rotation of the sleeve 39, while the return movement ofthe arm "will 'not effect any rotation of such sleeve,a oneway movement ofthe player pieces over the field being thus provided for.` noted, is also arranged to effect the rotation of a shaft 54 extending rearwardly of the plate 22 and provided with radial blades 56 which, through'their fan' action, serve as a governor to limit the speeds of rotation of thvarious gears.

Journ'alled at the top of theplate 22 and extending therefrom/an arm 58 to the extreming its other end secured to an'adjustably positloned hook 61 mounted on the plate 22. As here shown, the spring 59-and hook 61 are disposed backvof the plate 22 and the spring The gear train, it will be vity of which is fixed a tension spring 59 hav.-v

and arm are so related that raising of the arm -v will be tensionally resisted bythe" spring.

Mounted on the' shaft 57 for free yrotation thereon is a bell-crank lever member 62 having arms 63 and 64, and arranged to have the arm 63 thereof held against the under side of the arm 58 by means of a spring 66 operatively disposed between the member .62'and the shaft 57. The arm 63, ity will now be *3 noted, is connected to the crank arml 51 of the shaft 49'by means vof a link 67, so that s doWnwa-rdmovement ofthe arm 58. will, through its actuation of arm 63,' effect the rotation of sleeve 39 and'so move one or more of the player pieces. For clearing thel field' of players as at the beginning of an inning the vbell-crank lever 62 is arranged to be appropriatelyrotated against the resistance of thespring 6 6 to effect such movement of the pieces independently vof arm 58., and means are accordingly provided for effecting such rotation of the member 62. .Mountedon the' casing wall 12 for 4horizontalreciprocation therealong,'is a plunger memberi568 which is arranged upon a forward mov. vjent thereof to engage the lever arm 64 to rotate the bellresent an out in the baseball game.' The i crank lever 62 and .thereby effect the movesecond requirement is met throug the bement of the player pieces, a handle 169 pr0 fore described action of the clutch s oes carvided on the member 68 being arranged to ried on the sleeve 39. The two remaining protrude through the front wall of the conditions of those mentioned are met by ar-i ranging for the release of but one runner4 casing at the side of the pane 17'.

It will now be clear that any lowering of from the starting station at a given play the arm 58 from a raised position will effect .whereby two runnerswill never be simultaa movement of playerpieces ,in accordance neously positioned at anybase except the with the amount of such lowering, and, 'since home base; and means are accordingly proit is desiredI that different amounts of movevidedfor effecting such control of the runf ment be effected, means are provided for'conyners at' the home base. trolling such movement. Fixed to the shaft Journalled at the front and bottom of plate 57 to extend generally rearwardly thereof is 22 and extending thereaeross, isa shaft 78 an arm 71 having exten ding from a side therehaving` provided thereon an operating arm 7 E2 of a projection or stop pin 72, while mounted ,whereby theshaft is arranged to be oscillated on the 'plate .22 is a stop member 7 3 arranged in its bearing. Slidably mounted on a to have various portions thereof disposed inI bracket 81 provided on .the plate 22 for rez positioned in lanyl one'of its operative posi i is herein particularly "diselosed, certain rethe path of movement of the pin 72 during ciprocative displacement in their planes are I an operative rotation of the shaft under the p'lates 82 and 83 having provided thereon influence of the spring 59. As here shown, similar tooth-like projections 84C` arranged the stop member 73 is pivotally mounted on wherf the plates are in one limiting position the plate 22 at' a point somewhat below the to bedisposed ahead of the supports 34 of the shaft 57 for adjustable positioning in thev runner pieces to-prevent al forward movement plane of movementof the pin 72 and is proof the pieces behind them and so serve as vided at its to'p edge with a plurality of seats stops. Normally, and as particularlyshown or stops-74, each of which, when positioned in^Figure 3, the projection 84 of the forward l in the path of movement of the pin 72, Willy plate 82 is operatively disposed ahead of the permit-a different degree of operative rotamost forward of the 'supports 34 while the tion of the arm 58, it being noted that 'the lprojection 8 4 of the rearward plate 83 is inforward seat 74 permits the least movement operatively disposed in Sllh TelaiOIl to the of such arm, and that successive seats each Second Support 84 that its projection would permit a different `and greater movement. position it to provide a stop for the latter The stop member 7 3, it will be noted, is prosupport. Means are provided for operativevided adjacent its seat end with a slot 76'in 1y disposing the projections 84 alternately, which the shank of a headed pin 77 mounted and' as here Shownv Such means comprises 'a in the plate 22 engages, whereby the moverocker arm 86 mounted on the shaft 78 and' ment of the member may be limited both as to engaging in Suitable recesses 87 provid-cd `in vdirection andamount. It will now be obvithe plates 82 and 88, it being noted that the ous that when the arm 58 is raised to iits limrecesses 87 are of similar shape but` are dis-` iting position, the pin 72 will be eleanof the posed opposltely with respect to the shaft 7 3 whereby the latter may be axis whereby movement of the armto advance one 'plate will retract the other, andvice versa. tions. Means are preferably provided for resiliently When the apparatus is arranged for simuurging the plates torniaintain the relation lating the playing of'a game of baseball, as\ shown, and as here shown Vsuch means comi prises a spring 88 operatively?disposed bequirements as to 'the' movement of the run-I tween the arm 86 and theplate 22. I It will stop member ner pieces over the stations, or bases, at each play naturally result. Thus, for instance, the runners must advance from base to base at the different plays, all runners' 'already on the bases must advance at the' same rate as the runner who leaves the home base (starting station 36), not more than one runner shall be at any base other than the Home base, and only one runner must leave the home base at a'given play. AThe first oftheserequirements isi met by so arranging the seats 74 that movement of the pin -72 as from one seat to that following will effect equal de grecs of rotation of the sleeve 39, it being now'be clear that an appropriate ,rotation of i the shaft 78 will, through ther-,simultaneous action of the :Win86 on the plates 82 and 83, retract the forward plate 82 and' advance the plate 83 whereby the leading runner piece will be freed for movement and the following piece will be held. lf, during the forward movement of the freed runner piece, a reverse or return rotation of the Shaft is permitted, the projections 84 will resnn'ie their formerrelation and the'pieces remaining at the home station will, through the operation of the clutch mechanism, be moved forward to position the leading one thereof against as to move none of the runners and thus repnoted that the movement involved., in the the projection 84 ofthe plate 82 whereby seating of the pm 72 on the seatw74 is so slight the latter' will automatically become properly positioned for release at a 'following play,

and the shaft is accordingly arranged to be so i operated by means to be hereinafter de- `scribed. l

Means are provided for preventing the yforward movement ofthe pieces by means of the member 68 under, certain conditions of play. Mounted on the shaft 54 of the gear i train is .a brake disc 89, while pivotally mounted on the plate 22 is a lever 91 having one arm 92 thereof arranged to fiictionally engage the perimeter of ,the disc 89. The other arm of the lever 91 is arranged tg projvide the pivotal mounting for' the stop mem; ber 73, it being noted that thelever arm 92 is preferablyl heavy enough to insure an up-` ward displacement of the member 73' to bring the lower edge of slot 76 against the pin when the pin 72 is clear of the member and at the same time position it clear of the disc A89. Except at the extreme forward-J end thereof, the slot 76 is made somewhat wider Vradially of the stopY member 73 than is the thickness of pin 77 in this manner, whenk the pin 72 engages 'the forward seat 7 4', jnot enough movement of the member 7 3 will occur to cause a setting of. the brake, whereas when the pin 72 engages any other seat 74, the

' being thus 'provided for.

brake will be set. ln terms of a base-ball Agame., it will now be clear that following 'a hit lthe player pieces are held immovable, while following an out, the pieces may be shifted by means of the handle59 to enect repeated operative movementaof the plunger member 68 until all the player piece/sare held disposed at the Station 36, the shifting of all A cease their travel and the bra e thus does n ot l the field.

interfere with the progress of the men 'about -Means are provided whereby, following an out play, the forward piece at the startingv Y station may remain released, Isuchmeans comprislng a dev1ce -operative to prevent'the return rot-ation of the shaft 78 following a release of suchpiece. Slidably mounted on'the front side of-plate 22 for a limited vertical v movement and normally. held in its lower position by gravity, is a plate member 93 hav-t ing mounted't-hereon a pawl 94, such pawl@ being pivoted intermediate itsends for disy disposed through a perforation 96 provided in the plate 22. Slidably mounted ony 94. The member 97, it will 'be noted, is pref-- erably arranged to be held resiliently pressed downwardly bymeans ofv a. spring 98 and is provided with a rearwardextension99 beplacement in a vertical plane and being freeneath which an extension 101 providedvon the ber 97 will be held in its upper position and the forward end ofthe pawl 94 will thereby become depressed-as 'here shown the extension'lO/l comprises the end of the link 67. Mounted on the shaft 78 for rotation therewith is a stop arm 102 providing a notch 103 in which the forward pawl end is arranged to become'engaged at the end of the runner releasing movement of the shaft whereby theshaft may beheld against a return movement and thecrrunner left free for the next operation of the device. When the armis withdrawn from beneath the extension 99; as for a playin which runners mpve, the permitted downward 'movement of the member 97 disposes the pawlout of operative engagement witlh the stop arm l102r so that the complete operative cycle of movement of, the plates 82 and 83 is allowed. Since, then, an out7 leaves a piece free for movement' from the starting station, and movement of such piece around the circuit of the field fol lowing the third out or to start a new game7 is not desirable, means are preferably provided4 for effecting at such a time a'release ofthe shaft 7 8 to cause a -reengagement of the piece behind the forward projection 8K4. As here shown, such release is readily effected by lifting the plate member 93 in a suitable manner as will be hereinafter described. J f

It will now be noted that a cycle Vof operations of the apparatus hereinbefore described first involves rotating shaft 78 to release the leading piece at the starting station and raising the pin 72 free of the stop member 73, effecting the. setting of the member-73, and then permitting the `descent of the pin 72 to its new seat on said stop member, the operating armf79 of the shaft 78 being freed in the meantimejfor permitting the return of the shaft -to its normual position. vTh foregoing cycle of operations is preferab y arournalled in the casing side 13 and plate 23.

lises a hand lever 111 fixed on a shaft 112 ountedfon the shaft-112 adjacent the'` plate 23 isa disc shaped member 113 arranged upon a proper oscillatory 'movement thereof by means of the lever 111 pto eifect'the different.

steps of the cyclethrough its various operar tive connections with the apparatus. v Pivotallyxed to the plate 23 is a. lever 114 having pivotally connected to 'one end a thrust member 116 disposed to have its free end projected against the operating lever 79 ofthe shaft -78 upon a proper pivotal displacement of `the lever. Mounted on the operating member 113 is a thrust member 117 arranged to -engage and effect therap'propriate rocking of the lever'1'14 upon a forward i movement of the hand lever 111. As here shown, the thrust member 117 is pivotally secured to the operating member 113 at one end and is arranged tonormally, rest upon a-support1ng pin 118 with itsouter end 119 disposed to engage the free end 121 of lever 114 upon rotation of the operating member 113, and upon the further rotation of'the lati ter member to be displacedupwardly over the top of the lever end 121 whereby the thrust member 116 may be released to resume its inoperative position anda return rotation of the member 113 will be permitted without again actuating lever 11,4, and the forward and return movements ofthe thrust member 116 areefected while the hand lever 114 is being pulled forwardly.

Rotation of the shaft 5,7 to lift the arm 71 to its upward position is arranged to be effected by means of a lever 122' pivoted 011 the plate 23'and having one end thereof connected to arm 71 bymcans of a thrust link 123 operatively connecting the arm and an end 124 of the lever. The other end 126` of lever 122 is arranged, when the operating member -113 is inoperatively disposed, to be freely postionable in a`slot 127 provided at the edge of the member 113 whereby the positioning of the pin 72 in any of its seats is permitted. -I

rear end 146 thereof will not engage such prol/Vhen, however, -the hand lever 111 is pulled sufficiently forwardly, the llever arm 126 is arranged to engage the end 128 of slot .127

l and so be rocked until it'clears such end. and

slidably engages the edge surface 129 of the operating member 113 whereby thearm 71 is lifted and held-in itsupward position and isreleased only when a return movement of thejhand lever allows the lever end 126 to again engage in the' slot 127 and so permit the lowering of the pin 72 toits appropriate seat on the stop member 73..l

It will now be obvious that setting of thev I -stop member 73 in a predetermined one of its operative positions is arran ed. to be efected while the arm 71 is heldralsed rbymeans of posed below the pin 72 by means of a spring,

Ithev action of the operatingunember 113 asV -hereinbefore described. As here shown,

the stop member 73 is arranged to bereksiliently urged to maintainl its position with the seat 74( thereof operatively dis- 131 operatively disposed between the member 73 and plate 23 while av link 132 piv otallyslixed to the member7 3 is arranged to be projected and held'forwardly toposition a predetermined one of the other seats 74 Ain` operative relation to the 'pin 72 against the resistance of the spring 131. As herefshown,

l`the free end 133 of the member 132 is slidably carried on a pin #134 .projecting from the plate 23 and is provided at suchend with a series l of generally Vertical and downwardly opening slots-136 spaced longitudinally of the arm, said slots being arranged to have re- Ajectile member 137.

movably disposed therein a disc shaped pro- Sli'dably mounted below the arm port1on 133 for reciprocations in a line substantially parallel to the line of move.

ously engagea disc in one of the slots at opl posite sides of the slot whereby continued movement of the member 138 will thereafter project the arm 132 forwardly. By. means of a side extension 142 provided on the support member 138, and extending forwardly to be disposed laterally of various slots whenV the arm 132 and member 138 are both in retracted position as shown in Figure 2, a projectile disc 137 is arranged/to be normally held operatively disposed in its slot. De-

pending fromthe support member 138 isv a1 projection 143, which projection is arranged to be disposed in a slot 144 provided inthe upperl edge portion of the operating member 113 and to be engaged by the ends of the slot at dilerent times. The slot 144 is elongated and 'is so related to the projection 143 that the the series, it being clear that the least move-- ment will be effected if the disc be in the forward slot, and that nomovement of arm 132 will occur when there is no disc inlany slot. It will now of course be clear that the ,spacf ing of the discs is desirably such'fthatthe-y different amounts of lmovement ofthe arm 1'32`thus arranged to be effected will position Ydifferent seats under the pin 72,- so that different degrees of Amovement ofthe player pieces' may thus be predetermined.

Means are provided yfor retaining the stop member 73 in its set position, and as here shown, such means comprises the provision of ratchet teeth 147 on the arm 132 wlth which a pawl 148'is arranged to operatively engage. 4The pawl 14.8, 'it will be noted, 1s ivoted to the plate 23 and is arranged to )e dis osedin accordance withthe disposition -o a lever 149 also 'ivoted to the plate 23, which lever is Lpivot-a ly connected to the pawl 148 at one end and rests on the 'arnv1v71 at the other. A The `pawl and leve/r are'so related to the arm 7 1 and ratchet teeth, that when the arm 71 is'A in fully raised position,

the pawl is inoperatively disposed with respect to the teeth, while the first lowering of; the. arm 71 upon the return stroke of the hand lever 111 permits the engagement of the pawl behind the appropriate ratchet tooth and so holds the stop member 73 in its set position duringu the lowering of the pin c7 2 to its seat and until the next play of the apparatus. As 'the operating member 113returns to normal osition, the projection 143 of support memr 138 is arranged to beengaged by the end 151 of the slot 144 whereby/the latter memberis returned to its 'normal'retracted posi tion and the extension'143 iswithdrawn from in frontof the occupied slot to ellect a release of the disctherein.

The. disposition of a disc in one or the other ofthe slots 136 is preferably larranged, to be eiected in accordance with the skill of ya player of the game. yAs here shown, an upf wardly and backwardly slping surface 152 v 'is'provided at they top of the casing'illiover which one' of the discs 137 lis arranged to he slidahly projected from a station at the lowerr edge of the surface l152. y The surface 152 is provided at its' upper edge with spaced perorations 153 into one 'of which the player'eno representin deavors 'to direct the disc by, snapping or otherwise propelling it. The placing. of the discsin different of the perforations is preferably arranged to have different lsigf home run and so on. If the disc fails to enter any perforation, fit slidesv back. to the forward edge and into -a ytrap passagel 4o 154 provided thereat, the unsuccessful eiiortV of the player then constituting a strikej or out as ma be desired. Connected to the various pe orations 153 fare-'passages 156 .which are arranged to; communicate with different of the slots 136 w en the armi 132 is in fully withdrawn positio and to present the dlsc properly disposed to permit it to roll'into the approprlate slot. To prevent a disc leaving its passage 156 except when the approprn '50 ate slot is in registration with such passage,

a stop member 157 is provided, such member, being arranged' to be operatively disposed adjacent the end of the passage except whenl escape of the disc therefrom is desired. As

here'shown, the member 157 is pivoted to the late 23 and is arranged to have its free'end isposed in slots' 158 proyided near the passage ends -whenthe passages and slots 1'36 are out of registration` whereby a disc will be held in thepassge. A laterally projecting.

pin-.159 is provided on the stopmember 1575, withl which a projection 161` rovided on the -arm 132 is arranged to slidab y engage as the 651 whereby a disc may enter its slot.

latter its fully/retracted position w member 15 Lacasse To provide for keeping records ot a gaine played with the apparatus, manually operable run indicating devices 162 are provided, such devices beingl here 'shown mounted at the front' of the casing near the bottom thereof yand arranged to be reset to a 4zero indication by means of a rod 163 operatively associated therewithand extending through a side of the casing, such-rod being here shown provided with a crank handle 164. For indicating outs in a game, an indicating device 166 is also Shown provided7 such device being also arranged to effect the rotation of' a star-Wheel 167 in accordance with its record. On each third out the points of the vwheel 167 are arranged toengage a projection 168 provided on'the plateV member 93 to effect, the upward movementthereof and thus secure the lead` ing runner piece at the home station in a manner previously described. j supposing now that a play has lett `the pin I 72 seated in any one 'of the seat-s 74 the operai lever 111 to rotate the operating member 113 with the result that during the first part of the forward rotation of the latter this member would first project the thrust member 116 against the arm 79 to rock the saine and its vshaft 78 to thereby effect a release of the leading runner piece and at the same time cngage the pawl 97 in the notch of stop arm 102 to hold the shaft 78 against a return rotation, in the manner hereinbefore described. After the shaft 7 8 is thus he1d,the thrust member 117 1s arranged to .become inoperatively engaged with the lever 114 whereby the thrust member 116 is freed in the manner previously described and thus does not thereafter prevent a return movement of arm 7 9; 'In the meantime the lever -122 will have been operatively rocked to lift the pin 72 out'of its seat and clear of all thel seats whereby the spring 131 will function to dispose the link member 132 in -fully retracted positionv with-the disc 'receivin slots 136 of the arm 132 opposite the ends o the .passages 156', the coin passage stop The compllete raising-of pin 72also, of course, renderslt `e brake lever 91and pawl 148 'inopera-tive. It willl be clear. that if the previous having been rendered inoperative' as the link member 132 reaches such position.

pla has been an out, the S1055 and passages wil already be in registration, and it will be vnoted that such a relation is assumed in the various figures of the drawin With the disc in vits, slot, further forward'5 rotation of the operating member 113 nowcauses the forward projection of the support member 138 to engage the extension 141 thereof against the disc and thereafter movethe llnk -132 longitudinally forwardly, it being noted ber 118, the first entry of the lever 1,26 into the slot 127 renders the pawl 148 operative to engage its appropriate tooth and so hold the'link 132 in projected and operative position and as the lowering of the pin 72 to' lts ff proper seat is permitted whereby shaft 57 Yis rotated to urge an equal and predetermined movement of all the runner piece in the manner described. The rotation of arm 51 thus produced effects a release of plate `97 to render the pawl 94 inoperative and so permit the return rotation of the shaft 78 and the .resulting forward movement of the runners at the home station against the tooth'of the forward plate 82. When a three-bagger is made and there is a runner at second base, the latter will, by the movement of arm 51,

,bemoved around to home, while the freed runner piece will be simultaneously moved to third base. As the pin 72 is brought to rest, itwill, through its bearing on the movable stop member 7 3, operatively dispose the brake arm 91.

We claim: v x

1. Ina game apparatus, a playing field providing a series of spaced stations including a starting station, player pieces arranged to be initially positioned at said starting station, means arranged at each successive operation 'thereof to ,move a different piece from said starting station -to another station and means operative independently of said last means for moving pieces disposed at otherthan said starting station to said last station. g

2. In a game apparatus, a playing field providing a starting station,` player pieces arranged' to be initially stationed at said starting station, normally inoperative means arranged at'each operation thereof to urge a displaeementof the pieces at said starting' station, and means operative to permit the movement of but one piece from the starting,r station at each operation of said first means( 3. In a game apparatus, a playing field,

player pieces variously positionable over said field, means operative to simultaneously urge a displacement of each of the pieces from their particular positions on the field, and means operative during the operation of said first means to prevent the displacement by said first means of certain of said pieces from field, means operative toyreleasably hold certain of said pieces against displacement, and v means arranged. upon @ach operation ,thereof to move a variable and independently predetermined number of lsaid arms.

6. In agamc apparatus, a playing field, player pieces movable 'over said field in planes substantially parallel thereto, independent and ,pi/etally mounted members carrying said pieces, means operative t'o simultaneously move certain of said members to displace said pieces, and means operative to variably predetermine the members to be moved.

7v ,In a game apparatus,.a playing eld, independent and co-axially pivoted arms arranged .for movement over said playing field, a player piece carried by each of said arms and disposed over said field, a member arranged to maintain a frictional engagement with all of said arms whereby a movement thereof may effect a movement of one or more arms in its plane, and means operative to effect an operative movement of said member.

8. In a game apparatus, a playing field, player pieces, independent and coaxially .pivoted arms carrying said pieces for movement over said field, telescopically engaged Ihubs carrying said arms, a sleve coaXially related to said hubs, and friction shoes on said sleeve arranged to independently engage different of said hubs whereby the rotation of said( movement of the different pieces, and means a rotative movement of operative to effect said sleeve.

` 10. In a game apparatus, a playing field, player pieces,independent and coaxially pivoted arms carr ing said pieces for movement over said fiel telescopically engaged hubs carrying said arms, a sleeve coaxially related L to said hubs, friction shoes on `said sleeve ar ranged to independently engage different of said hubs whereby the rotatiorrof said sleeve will urge the rotation ofsad hubsto effect av l movement of. the different pieces, means operative to effect a rotative movement of said sleeve, and means operative independently of the preceding means to predetermine 1' the amount of rotative movementof said 'sleeye 11. In a game apparatus, a member prov1d-I ing a surface having delineated thereon a playing field, player pieces arranged to be variously disposed over said field, coaxially pivoted arms mounted for movement behind said .v

member, and means connecting said player 'u pieces to said arms and arranged to cooperate to maintain. said arms inafixed order. r f

12. In a game apparatus, a playing surface la er. ieces arranged to be variousl l n Y l n n positioned over said surface, means operative to simultaneously urge likedisplacements of said pieces, a piyoted member operativelyassociated with said means and4 arranged upon a pivotal movement 'thereof to operate said means, and stop means variably positionable with respect to said' pivoted member whereby,

dierent degrees of pivotal movement of said pivoted member Will be permitted.

13.` In a game apparatus, a playing surface, player pieces arranged to be variously positioned over said surface, means operative -to v simultaneously urge like displacements 'of said pieces, a pivotedf member operatively associated With said means and arranged u'pon a pivotal movement thereof to operate said means, stop means variablyposition'able with respect tovsaid pivoted member whereby different, degrees of pivotal movement of said j providing bases, runner pieces arranged to be progressively moved around the cir uit of said bases, means arranged at each op ration thereof to simultaneously urge a like'movement .of runner pieces to bases in advance thereof, and means operative independently of said first means and in accordance with the .skill of an operator to predetermine the de-. grec of movement urged upon said runner` pieces. j I

' 15. In a game apparatus, 'a playingfleld, player pieces, pivoted arms carrying said pieces for `movement over said field, hubs to independently and friction'ally engage dfferent of said hubs Ifor urging the rotation 'thereof to effect a movement of the different pieces.

arranged to be variously disposed over said surface, a memberl operative-to slmultaneous- In combination'with-.a game apparatus. providing a playing surface, player pieces .60

.carrying said arms,'a'nd a member arranged vly urge Flikedisplacements of said player y pieces in proportion'to the degree of actuation thereof, and means adapted to operate said member, a member providing a second surface, a projectile arranged to be slid'ably projected on and over saidlast surface byan operator ofthe apparatus, andstop means. operative in accordance with the disposal of the projectile after said projectionthereof to determine the degree of actuation of said* member.

.Intestimony whereof, we have hereunto. set our hands at Oakland, California, this 26th day of November,1926.

GORDON B. MILLS;

AUGUST J; scHMmnEsKaMr.

HENRY E. sigiNNnR.

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