US1929327A - Shooting game - Google Patents

Description

J. C. MORAY Oct. 3, 1933.

SHOOTING GAME Filed Sept. 24, 1930 3'Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR e C. Moray er BY WITNESSES ATTORN EY5 Oct. 3, 1933.

J c. MORAY SHOOTING GAME Filed Sept. 24, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jr'e C. 2740 7'66 BY T ATTORNEYS ITNESSES J. C. MORAY SHOOTING GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 24, 1930 y m w OW R mm o

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s t E s Patented Oct. 3, 1933 PATENT ol-rice SHOOTING GAME Jere G. Moray, New York, N. Y.

Application September 24, 1930 Serial No. 484,162

-8 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the class ofamusement devices, and it is in the nature of a competitive shooting game, in which two participants match their skill in hitting separate sets of targets.

The invention broadly comprehends a competitive shooting game in which opposed sets of targets are arranged in spaced parallel relation to each other and a manually controlled device provided in rear of each target set is employed for projecting missiles therefrom at opposing targets,

the objective being for one participant to hit all of his opponents targets first in order to win the game.

The invention furthermore contemplates an enclosed playing area having a bottom field or surface which is so constructed as to prevent lodging of the projected missiles thereon while causing the same to gravitate to a suitable means which returns the missiles to magazines which in turn feed said missiles to the missile shooting devices, thereby insuring a constant and unlimited supply of ammunition.

As a further feature, the invention embodies in a game of the indicated character, an enclosure having a bottom surface which simulates the terrain of a battle field, whereby entrenchments are formed in which the target sets are respectively disposed in rear of elevated portions simulating trench parapets, and in which said targets are adapted for vertical reciprocation, whereby they are intermittently exposed to the missiles projected from the opposed projecting devices.

The invention furthermore aims to provide signal means for indicating the winner of the game and means operable to respectively cut off the supply of ammunition to the projecting devices, to effect the discontinuance of the operation of the target reciprocating means and to reset the targets of both sets which have been hit during the playing of the game.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for taking care of the overflow of ammunition from the magazines of the projecting devices, in event the missiles are not projected as rapidly as they are returned.

The invention furthermore resides in the provision of a game apparatus of the character set forth, which is comparatively simple in its construction and mode of operation and which is highly attractive and amusing to the players.

With the above recited and other objects in view, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which there is exhibited one example or embodiment of the invention, while the claims define the actual scope of the same.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the game apparatus.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view therethrough taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged detail sectional view of the missile receiving and return- 1 ing means at the inlet end thereof.

Figure 4 is a similar view at the outlet end thereof.

Figure 5 is an enlarged front view of one of the targets and target reciprocating means.

Figure 6 is a side view thereof.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the target in its knocked down position and disclosing the signal operating means and the target resetting means.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the playing field illustrating the manner in which the projected missiles are gravitationally discharged therefrom.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring system for automatically controlling the operation of the device.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, A designates any suitable form of supporting structure for a casing or cabinet B, which in the present instance includes a bottom wall 10,

a rear wall 11, end walls 12, and a lower front wall section 13, which walls are preferably opaque.

The upper section 14 of the front wall and the top wall 15 are of glass or any suitable transparent material, by virtue of which the players or participants in the game may view the interior of the cabinet or casing. The top wall 15, rear Wall 11, end walls 12, and front wall 14, together with a bottom partition 16 spaced abovethe bottom wall 10 of the cabinet, define an enclosure or playing area C. The partition 16 is preferably constructed of sheet metal and may, if desired,'have its opposite ends 17 extended upwardly to overlie and line the inner surfaces of the end walls 12. The partition 16 is shaped to provide opposed entrenchments or trenches 18 which are preferably located adjacent the opposite end walls- 12, while elevated portions 19 of the partition 16 define parapets in front of each of the entrenchments or trenches 18. Between the elevated portions 19, the partition 16 may be shaped to offer a surface configuration simulating the terrain of a battle-field. In any event, the upg with or below the elevated portions 19.

per surface of the partition 16 is so shaped as to prevent any possibility of missiles D which are employed in connection with the game, lodging thereon, as each of the low points is formed with an aperture 20 of an appropriate size to permit of the gravitation of missiles therethrough, In practice, the missiles will preferably be in the nature of spherical pellets or balls.

A set or row of targets designated generally at E are arranged in each of the entrenchments or trenches 18, and the same may be shaped to represent soldiers or other figures. Each target E is provided with a depending shank having an upper section which is rigidly secured to the target and hingedly connected as at 26 at its lower end to a lower section 27. The target shanks extend through tubular guides 28 depending from the lower surface of the depressed trench simulating portions of the partition 16, whereby the targets are mounted to permit of vertical reciprocation thereof. The targets E are of such a height that when disposed in their lowermost position, their upper ends are practically flush The hinged connection 26 between the shank sections 25 and 2'7 is in the nature of a rule-joint which permits the targets when hit by missles striking the front of the targets, to fall backward, as illustrated in Figure '7. The hinged connections 26 normally ofier a suificient friction to hold the targets erect against accidental falling.

Missile projecting devices 30, in the nature of pistols or the like, having any suitable form of p projecting mechanism controlled by a trigger'31 are mounted by means of a universal joint 32 in the opposite end walls 12 of the casing, with the muzzles 33 thereof extending into the enclosure C at a point above the elevated portions 19 of the partition. The hand grips or handles 34 of the missile projecting devices 30, as well as the triggers 31, are disposed exterior of the casing orcabinet B, so that the players or participants in the game may aim and shoot the missiles or projectiles D at the targets E, it being understood that the player or participant at-the right of the cabinet will aim at the targets E at the left of the cabinet, and, conversely, the player or participant at the left of the cabinet will attempt to hit the 'targets E at the right of the cabinet. In order to provide means for effecting vertical reciprocations of the targets E whereby the same are intermittently exposed from the trenches 18 above the elevated portions 19, a plurality of cams 40 are provided on each of the cam shafts 41 for coaction with the heads 42 at the lower ends of the lower shaft sections 27. The cam shafts may be driven in any suitable manner but, as illustrated in the present instance, a common drive shaft 43 is employed having bevel gears 44 at its opposite ends meshing with bevel pinions 45 on the cam shafts 41. The drive shaft 43 is turned by a worm .46 meshing with a worm gear 47 on the drive shaft, the worm being secured to the shaft 48 of a prime mover 49, which is illustrated as an electric motor in the present disclosure. Obviously, when the motor is in operation, the drive shaft 43 rotates the cam shafts 41 and causes vertical reciprocations of the targetsE. In practice, the cams will be preferably staggered, so that the targets of each set or row are elevated and lowered in relatively different timed relation.

Each of the missile projecting devices 30 is provided with a magazine 50 holding a supply f missiles for gravitational feeding of the same ward the rear wall 11 of the cabinet. Immediately adjacent the rear wall, each of the retrieving walls 51 is provided with a downwardly directed outlet nozzle 52 having a lower outlet opening 53 of a size to freely admit of the gravitational discharge of the missiles D singly. A pair of endless flexible conveyor elements 54 having longitudinally spaced flights 55 is trained around upper and lower sprockets 56 and 57, and the lower leads of the endless sprocket elements 54 are guided by and pass through tubular guides 58 which are open to the outlet 53 of the outlet nozzle 52, whereby the missiles D are singly fed into the pockets defined between each pair of flights 55 and the walls of the guides 58 as the lower leads of the conveyor move upwardly. In practice, the lower sprockets 57 are driven in any suitable manner from the motor shaft 48. As illustrated, however, the driving of the sprockets is effected by a pinion 60 on the motor shaft,-

and turnable with the other sprocket 5'7. The

upper ends of the-guide conductors 58 through which the lower leads of the conveyors extend communicate with and terminate at a hopper having an inclined bottom wall 66, the higher portion of which at a point closely adjacent the outlet end 67 of the guide conductor 58, is provided with a depending nozzle 68, over which is fitted the upper end of the magazine 50. The lower end of the bottom wall 66 of the hopper is provided with an overflow outlet 69, from which a depending conduit 70 leads downwardly to and discharges onto the retrieving walls 51. Under this construction and arrangement, it is apparent that missiles which have been projected at the targets gravitate through the apertures 20 as they fall onto the partition 16. The missiles then gravitate toward and descend through the outlet nozzles 52, where they are singly picked up and conveyed to the hopper 65. As the missiles from the conveyors enter the hoppers, they gravitate into the upper ends of the magazines 50. In event that the magazines are filled, the missiles received by the hopper overflow through the overflow outlet 69 and descend onto the retrieving walls 51.

In order to provide means for indicating the winner of the game, and, for simultaneously resetting the targets which have-been hit while cutting off the motor to render the missile 'returning means and the target reciprocating means inactive, a circuit is provided which includes a source of supply 75, from one pole of which feed conductors 76 and 78 lead to a motor 49, and from which motor a return conductor 77 leads to the opposite pole of the source of supply '15. The conductors 76 and 78 are separated but are electrically connected by a bridge element 79 which is fulcrumed as at 80 and is provided with a weighted end 81 which normally maintains the motor circuit in open condition. The bridge element 79 may be actuated in any suitable manner to close the motor circuit, but, as illustrated in the present instance, a coin G guided through a coin chute 82 moves the bridge element 79 to a position for closing the motor circuit. A solenoid 83 is adapted when energized to actuate a detent 84 for releasing the coin to permit the weight 81 to open the motor circuit. The solenoid 83 is included in a second circuit in which a pair of solenoids 85 is also arranged in parallel with the solenoid 83. The solenoids 85 operate respectively the resetting devices H for each set of targets, and the circuit including the solenoids 83 and 85 preferably includes the same source of supply 75, a feed conductor 87 leading from one pole thereof having a branch conductor 88 leading to the solenoid 83, a branch conductor 89 leading to one of the solenoids 85, and a branch conductor 86 leading to the other solenoid 85. The solenoids 83 and 85 are connected to a common return wire 90 leading from the other pole of the source of supply by the wires 91, 92 and 93. The wire 90 is provided with branches 94 and 95 which respectively lead through a plurality of normally open switches 96 and 9'7 respectively located adjacent and adapted to be closed only when all of the targets have been hit. Distinctive signals 98 and 99 are also arranged in the wires 94 and 95, and the wires 100 and 101 which lead from the switches 96 and 97 are connected to the return wires 91, 92 and 93. The wire 86 may have therein an audible signal, such as a bell 102, which will indicate to the players that one set of targets has been completely hit, while the signals 98 and 99 will indicate the winner of the game.

In operation, a coin G is deposited in the coin chute 82, and the weight of the coin moves the bridge element 79 into contact with the switch '78 to close the circuit to the motor 49, thereby efiecting the reciprocations of the targets E and the driving of the conveyors 54. The players or participants then shoot the guns or projecting devices 30 to cause the missiles to hit the targets E. As soon as one of the players is successful in hitting all of the opponents targets E, said targets will close the series of switches 96 or 9"], as the case may be. This rings the bell or audible signal 102, indicating that the players must cease firing, and at the same time the closing of the second circuit energizes the solenoids 83 and 85, actuating the resetting devices H to reset the targets of both sets while releasing the coin G to break the motor circuit and discontinue the operation of the conveyors 54 and the cams 40. The winner is indicated by one of the two distinctive signals 98 or 99 which is energized, and the device is now ready for re-use to play another game as soon as another coin G is deposited. After the targets E have been reset, it is obvious that the second circuit is broken and, obviously, the solenoids 83 and 85 are de-energized so that the resetting devices H gravitate to their normal inactive position, while the detent 84 is moved to a point to retain the following coin G in its proper position to close the motor circuit.

From the foregoing, it will thus be seen that a competitive shooting game has been devised which is especially designed for coin operation, to be used in arcades or other public places, by virtue of which amusement may be derived by the participants.

While there has been illustrated a single and preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be clearly understood that no limitation is necessarily intended to the precise structural details herein exhibited, and that variations and modifications which fall within the scope of the claims may be resorted to when desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a game apparatus, an enclosure having a bottom wall shaped to provide elevated and depressed portions defining spaced pairs of opposed trenches, a set of targets mounted within each trench for vertical reciprocation and means for reciprocating said targets whereby the same are intermittently exposed from the trenches, devices located adjacent the trenches for projecting missiles at the opposed targets as they are intermittently exposed, a magazine for feeding missiles to said projecting devices and means for retrieving and continuously returning the projected missiles to the magazines while the apparatus is in use.

2. In a game apparatus, an enclosure having a bottom wall shaped to provide elevated and depressed portions defining spaced pairs of opposed trenches, a set of substantially vertical knockdown targets mounted within each trench for vertical reciprocation with respect thereto, means for reciprocating said targets whereby the same are intermittently exposed from the trenches, devices located adjacent the trenches for projecting missiles at the opposed targets as they are intermittently exposed to move the same from their substantially vertical position, a magazine for feeding missiles to said projecting devices, means for retrieving and continuously returning the projected missiles to the magazines, and means operable by said targets when all of one set have been moved from their vertical position by said missile projecting devices for indicating when all of the targets of one set have been hit.

3. In a game apparatus, an enclosure having a bottom wall shaped to provide elevated and depressed portions defining spaced pairs of opposed trenches, a set of targets mounted within each trench for vertical reciprocation whereby said targets are intermittently exposed from the trenches, devices located adjacent the trenches for projecting missiles at the opposed targets as they are intermittently exposed, a

magazine for feeding missiles to said projecting devices, means for retrieving and returning the projected missiles to the magazine and means operable, when all the targets have been hit, to respectively reset the same and to discontinue the reciprocations thereof.

4. In a game apparatus, an enclosure having a bottom wall shaped to provide elevated and depressed portions defining spaced pairs of opposed trenches, a set of targets mounted within each trench for vertical reciprocation whereby said targets are intermittently exposed from the trenches, devices located adjacent the trenches for projecting missiles at the opposed targets as they are intermittently exposed, a magazine for feeding missiles to said projecting devices, means for retrieving and returning the projected missiles to the magazine and means operable, when all the targets have been hit, to respectively re.- set the same and to discontinue the reciprocations thereof, said means also operable to render the missile returning means inactive.

5. A competitive shooting game having the combination of an enclosure, said enclosure including a lower wall presenting an upper surface having depressed and elevated portions defining spaced pairs of opposed entrenchments, a set of targets mounted behind each of said opposed entrenchments, means for effecting vertical reciprocations of said target sets to intermittently expose the same from the entrenchments, devices disposed respectively in rear of said target sets, for projecting missiles at and hitting said opposed target sets, a magazine for each projecting device and means for retrieving and returning the projected missiles to the magazines.

6. A competitive shooting game having the combination of an enclosure, said enclosure including a lower wall presenting an upper surface having depressed and elevated portions defining spaced pairs of opposed entrenchments, a set of targets mounted behind said opposed entrenchments, means for efiecting vertical reciprocations of said target sets to intermittently expose the same from the entrenchments, devices disposed respectively in rear of said target sets, for projecting missiles at and hitting said opposed target sets, means for indicating when all of the targets of one set have been hit and means operable when all of the targets have been hit, to respectively effect the discontinuance of the target reciprocations and the resetting of the same.

7. In a competitive game apparatus, an enclosure having a bottom wall, the upper surface of which is shaped to provide a plurality of ele vated and depressed portions certain of which define a spaced pair of opposed trenches, a set of targets mounted within each trench for exposure therefrom, manually controlled devices located adjacent the trenches for projecting missiles at the opposed targets, a magazine for feeding the missiles to the projecting devices and means for retrieving and returning the projected missiles to the magazine.

8. In a competitive game apparatus, an enclosure having a bottom wall, the upper surface of which is shaped to provide a plurality of elevated and depressed portions certain of which define a spaced pair of opposed trenches, a set of targets mounted within each trench for exposure therefrom, manually controlled devices located adjacent the trenches for projecting missiles at the opposed targets, a magazine for feeding the missiles to the projecting devices and means for retrieving and returning the projected missiles to the magazine, said latter means including apertured portions provided at all of the low points of the bottom wall of the enclosure, retrieving walls underlying said bottom wall for directing the missiles retrieved to a common point, means for conveying the retrieved missiles from said common point to the magazine and means for returning the overflow missiles from the magazines to the retrieving means.

JERE C. MORAY.

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