US2024863A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1935. w. H. HUENERGARDT GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1955 eez HIS ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1935.` w. H. HUENERGARDT Y 2,024,853

GAME APPARAIUSy Filed Feb. 16, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 'INVENTOR 44 O HIS ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 17, 1935. w. H. HUENERGARDT GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

v BY

H15 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES GAIVIE APPARATUS Application February 16, 1935, Serial No. 6,799

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a game apparatus.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved game apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efficient in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus comprising the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ball-playing surface having at least two ball exit openings formed therein; an endless ball conveyor having a run movable transversely across the said playing surface above the latter and having a run movable transversely of the said playing surface below the same; a runway `upon said playing surface adapted to conduct balls one at a time onto the upper run ofv said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a ball passing through one of said exit openings to move said ball conveyor in a step by step motion so as to transport a ball carried thereby from one point to another thereby relative to and across said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering the other of said exit openings for elevating the same into said runway.

A further object of the invention is to construct the new apparatus in such a manner that the ball-elevating means referred to in the preceding paragraph is controlled and energized by means of the elevating device which elevates the spent balls from a point below the playing surface up onto the latter and in front of the ballpropelling device or player.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

'Ihe invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, of a preferred form of the new game apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an elevational detail view;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail View;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4 4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view`of the new game apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 'I-'l' in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 in Fig. 3.

A preferred form of the new game apparatusy is shown in the drawings, is therein generally indicated at lli, and comprises a cabinet I I which includes an inclined playing board I2 having spaced groups of ball exit openings I3 and 29 therein. Arranged in the cabinet II at one 5 side of the playing surface I2 is a ramp I4 and arranged at the lower end of the ramp I4 is a ball-propelling device or plunger I5 by means of which balls may be propelled, one at a time, up the ramp i4 onto the inclined play- 10 ing board I2 so that they may gravitate over the latter and enter into one of the ball exit openings i3 or 29.

The present game apparatus comprises a series of inclined runways I6 which are arranged in 15 the cabinet li below the inclined playing board I2 and each of which has communication at its upper end with one of the exit openings I3 or 29 (Fig. 1); these runways l@ opening at their lower ends, as` at ai, (Fig. 1) into a housing ls 20 which is arranged in the cabinet II below the inclined playing board l2.

Rotatably journaled in the housing I8, upon a shaft 2l, is a disc or gravity motor I9 which is provided with an annular row of ball-receiving 25 pockets 2@ which are arranged at intervals radially around its peripheral surface.

Carried by the shaft 2| which supports the disc or motor I9-2li is a gear 22 (Figs. 1 and 3) and this gear 2i-22 meshes with a gear 23 3o which is carried by a horizontal shaft 24 which is suitably journalled in the cabinet II below the inclined playing board I2.

Carried by the shaft 24 adjacent one end thereof is a sprocket 25 which meshes with the 35 lower run 26 of an endless ball conveyor or chain 2 which is guided in the cabinet II by suitable guiding means in the form of rollers 94: this arrangement of the endless conveyor 21 being such that the upper run 28 thereof works o above the inclined playing board I2 while the lower run 26 thereof works below the inclined playing board l2 (Fig. l).

When a played or spent ball enters into and passes through one of the ball exit openings I3 it travels down the corresponding runway I6 (Figs. l and 3) and enters, by way of the corresponding inlet I'i, into the housing I8, wherein it is deposited in one of the ball-receiving pockets 2@ of the disc or motor i9, whereupon the disc I9 is rotated, under the weight of a ball arranged thereon (counterclockwise, Fig. l). This movement of the disc I9 advances the upper run 28 of the endless ball conveyor 2l and the playing ball 30 carried thereby (left to right, Fig. 1).

On the other hand, if a played ball enters one of the ball exit openings 29 it will, upon passing down the corresponding runway I5, into the housing i8 and into a corresponding one of the ball-receiving pockets 29 in the disc I9, rotate the disc I9 (clockwise, Fig. l) and thereby advance the upper run 28 of the endless ball conveyor 21 and the ball 3l) carried thereby (right to left, Fig. l)

After a played ball has completed its movement of the disc or gravity motor I9 and the endless ball conveyor 21 it engages a stop 3I which is arranged in the housing I8, adjacent the bottom of the disc I9, and when the ball engages this stop 3! it stops the operation of the disc I9 and chain 21; the ball being then discharged by the corresponding stop 3! out of the housing I8 through the corresponding outlet 32 formed in the latter and into the corresponding inclined runway 33 by which it is conducted to a point adjacent the ball-elevating device 34, by means.

of which it may again be elevated up into the ramp It in front of the propelling device or plunger I5.

Provided upon and slightly above the inclined playing board I2 (Figs. l and 3) is an inclined ball runway and arranged adjacent the upper end of runway 35 isV the mouth or outlet 95E-85 of a ball elevating tube or guideway 31 through which a playing ball is automatically elevated up to the level of the playing surface i2 and into the inclined runway 35 by means, and in a manner, presently to be described.

When the endless conveyor or chain 21 is operated so thatits upper run 28 moves from lett to right (Fig. 1), the ball 30 carried upon the upper run 28 thereof engages a ball deector 95 (Fig. l) by means of which the ball 36 is deflected off the upper run 28 of the chain 26 onto the inclinedV playing board I2 so that it may gravitate into'either one of two ball exit openings 38 which are provided in the inclined playing board I2 (Fig. l) adjacent the lower end thereof.

Associated with 'the exit openings 38 is a scoreindicating or registering device in the form of a dial 39 which is mounted below the inclined playing board i2, upon a horizontal shaft 40, the face-of the dial 4Q being visible through a sight opening Il! which is provided in the inclined playing board I2 (Fig. l).

Also carried by the shaft 40, adjacent the oppositeA end thereof from the dial 39, is a scoreindicating or registering dial 42 and mounted j upon the shaft fr!! is a U-shaped fork or member d3, which includes spaced arms 44 which are arranged on opposite sides of the dial 42. This yoke or member lt-94 has a pair of spaced extensions 45 which are arranged above the open upper ends or mouths of vertical-ball chutes 46 (Fig. 1);.'these chutes 46 being arranged below, and in communication with, ball exit openings (Fig. 5) and similar chutes i8 being arranged below and in communication with the exit openings 38. A member 83, which is similar to the member i3-46 is mounted upon the shaft 40 in association with the dial 39 (Fig. 5) and this member has extensions 41 which are arranged under the exit openings 38.

A ball deector 8l, similar to the defiector 95 is arranged upon the inclined playing board I2 adjacent the opposite end of the upper run 28l Athe ball carried thereby will be swept off the chain 28 onto the inclined playing board I2 so that it gravitates into one of the exit openings 82 arranged above the vertical ball chutes S5.

The vertical ball chutes 46 open into a common inclined chute or runway 49 and the vertical ball chutes 48 open into a common inclined chute or runway 58 (Fig. l). vThese chutes or runways 49 and 56 open at their lower ends into the lower end portion of the ball elevator guideway or chute 31.

Mounted in the cabinet II below the inclined playing board I2 is a horizontal shaft 5I and carried by this shaft 5I adjacent one end thereof is a ball elevating arm 52. This arm 52 has any extension 53 which projects into the ball elevator guideway 31 through a slot 54 formed in the wall of' the guideway 31.

Pivotally mounted adjacent the bottom of the ball elevator guideway 31 is a latch member 55 which is urged into latching engagement with` the ball seat or extension 53 of the elevator 52 by means of a spring 56.

The shaft 5I has a crank arm 51 at one end thereof (Figs. 2 and 5) and having one attached to this crank arm 51 so as to urge the latter and the shaft 5I (in a counterclockwise direch tion, Fig. 2) is a spring 58.

Attached to the crank arm 51 of the shaft 5I is a slide bar 59 which has a pin and slot connection 69 with a slide bar 6I which controls the operation of the elevating device 34, in a manner to be described presently.

Carried by the Slide bar 6I is a roller or cam 62 and this roller or cam 62 is engageable with an arm 63 of a member 64 which is pvotally mounted between its ends upon a pintle or shaft 55 which is arranged in the cabinet II below the inclined playing surface I2. Attached to the slide bar 6I is a resetting spring 91.

Likewise mounted upon the shaft 65 adjacent the member 64 is a member 66 which includes oppositely extending arms 61 and 68, the arm 61 of the member 66 being attached to the arm 69 of the elevator operating handle 1i). Likewise attached to the arm 61 of the member 66 so as to urge the latter in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, is a spring 1I, and interconnecting the arms 6 3 and 68 is a spring 12 (Fig. 2).

The ball elevating device 34 includes a guideway 89 (Fig. 2) and working in this guideway 89 is an arm or ball seat portion 9D of an elevator member 9| which is pivotally mounted in the cabinet II, below the inclined playing board I2, as at 92 (Fig. 2). The elevator member 9i is pivotallyrconnected to the slide bar 59, as at 9S (Fig. 2).

Pivotally mounted upon the inclined playing board I2, under the upper run 28V of the chain 29-21-28, is a ball trough 13 which is normally urged, by spring 15, (in a clockwise direction, from dotted to full lines, Fig. 4). Engageable with the bottom wall 16 of this trough 13 is an upright arm 11 which is carried by a slide bar 18 which is slidably mounted upon the inclined playing board I2 below the latter; this arm 11 extending through and working in a vertical slot 19 which is formed in the inclined playing board I2 (Fig. 4). 'I'he coin slide 86 is pivotally connected to the slide bar 18 by means of a link 96 (Fig. 5).

Operation The present game apparatus is preferably played with two balls, one of which is arranged, at the start of play, upon the upper run 29 of the chain 26 and upon the ball seat 13 at the lower end of the runway 35. The other of the two balls is elevated into the ramp l5, in front of the player i5, by operation of the elevator operating slide rod @r9-l5, whereupon it may be propelled onto the upper portion of the inclined playing board i2 so that it may gravitate thereover and enter into one of the ball exit openings i3 or into one of the ball exit openings 25 (Fig. 1).

If the played ball enters into one of the ball exit openings I3 it travels down the corresponding runway l5 and through the corresponding opening il into the housing i8 whereinl it engages in one of the ball pockets 2li which are provided in the disc or ball-operated gravity motor i9, thereby rotating the disc i9 (in a counterclockwise direction, as seen looking from right to left, Fig. l). This movement of the ldisc or motor IS acts through the gears 22-23,

will engage the dei'lector S5 and be swept thereby off the upper run 23 of the chain 2l. The ball thus swept off the chain 2l will thereupon gravitate over the inclined playing board l2 into one of the ball exit openings 38, it being noted that the movement of the disc l@ and of the chain 2? is stopped by the engagement of the ball carried in one of the pockets 2Q of the disc is with the corresponding ball stop 5l by which the ball is deected into the corresponding one of the inclined runways 33 (Fig. l), by which it is conducted to a point adjacent the elevating device 34.

Similarly, a ball entering one of the ball exit openings 29 will travel down a corresponding one of the runways i5, through the corresponding inlet ll, into the housing I8 and into one of the pockets 2B in the disc le, whereupon the disc i9 will be operated (in a clockwise direction, Fig. 1). This movement of the disc I9, acting through the gears shaft 24 and sprocket 25 will opera e the chain 2l so to move the upper run 2S of the chain 2l (right to left as seen looking from right to left, Fig. l), thereby moving the ball Sii into engagement With the deflector 8l. The ball 35 will thus be swept olif the chain l-l-Z and will gravitate over the playing surface I2 into one of the ball exit openings 82.

As a played ball passes into one of the exit openings 82 it engages the corresponding arm 48 of the member thereby rocking the latter and the shaft i9 (counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. l) so as to advance the dial 52.

Similarly, a played ball passing through one of the exit openings 38 will engage the corresponding arms fil of the member thereby rocking the member 83 and the shaft le (counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. l) so as to advance the dial 39 relative to and past the sight opening il which is provided in the playing surface I2.

A played ball passing through one of the exit openings 38 or 82 into the corresponding chute i3- 55 or 45-4S passes down the latter into the ball elevator guideway or chute 3l wherein it engages the latch member 55. This engagement of the ball with the latch member 55 urges the latter (counterclockwise, Fig. 3) against the action of the spring 55, thereby releasing the latch member 55 from latching engagement with the arm or ball seat portion 53 of the ball elevator 52-53. The tensioned spring 58 then acts through the crank arm 5l to rock the shaft 5i and the ball elevator 52-53 (counterclockwise, Figs. 2 and 3, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 3), thereby automatically elevating the ball up the guideway 31 into the runway 35, into which the thus elevated ball is directed by the hood 65 which is formed on the guideway 3l above the mouth or outlet 33 thereof (Fig. 3) it being noted that the crank 57 pivots upon the shaft 5i during the foregoing movement (counterclockwise, Fig. 3), thereby movingthe crank 5i, shaft 5i, and slide rod 5S from full to dotted line position (Fig. 2).

The ball elevator member 52-53 remains in raised position (as in dotted lines, Fig. 3) until it is reset back into its initial position (as in full lines, Fig. 3) which is accomplished through the operation of the ball elevating device 34 and its operating rod GSB-l0.

In order to operate the ball-elevating device 55 the slide rod '5t- 5E is pushed inwardly (left to right, Fig. 2), thereby pivoting the member 6G (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 2). rThis movement of the member 65 acts, through the spring l2, to pivot the member 64 (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. 2). This movement of the mem-- er @il causes the arm 53 thereof to engage the cam or roller 52, thereby shifting the slide rod 5l (right to left, Figs. 2 and 5). This movement of the slide rod El acts through the pin and slot connection 55 of the same with the slide rod 5r', to shift the latter (right to left, Figs. 2 and 5) and this movement of the slide rod 59 in turn acts through the crank arm 5l of the shaft 5I to rock the latter (clockwise, from dotted to full-line position, Fig. 2) and the ball elevato; member 572-53 reengages the arm 53 thereof with the latch member 55 and at the same time tensions the energy storing device or spring 58 so that the ball elevator 52-53 may again be operated as soon as another ball passes into the guideway 3l and engages the latch 55.

After the foregoing movement (right to left, Fig. 2) the slide rod 5l is returned or reset into its initial position (left to right, Fig. 2) by operation of the resetting spring 5l, but the slide rod 52 and crank 5l are latched in full line position, (Fig. 2), against the action of the spring 5B, by the latching engagement of the arm 53 with the latch member 55, (Fig. 3).

Likewise, the foregoing movement of the slide rod 5I (right to left, Fig. 2) acts through the pivotal connection 93 to pivot the ball elevator member Sill- 9i (clockwise from full to dotted line position, Fig. 2) and during this movement the end portion or ball seat Si) of the elevato;` works through the guideway 85 so as to elevate a ball up into the ramp i@ in front of the propelling device or plunger i5.

If the ball S) is disposed upon the upper run 28 of the chain 2l at the end of a game the same may be dislodged therefrom, and returned to the runway 55, by operation of the coin slide 89 as follows:

When the coin slide iii) is pushed inwardly (left to right, Fig. l, right to left, Fig. 5) it acts upon the pivoted link e5 to pivot the latter (clockwise from full to: dotted line position Fig. 5) and this movement of the member 95 in turn acts upon the slide bar 'i3 to move the latter (left to right, Fig. 5, right to left, Fig. 4) and this movement of the slide bar I8, in turn, acts upon the upright arm 'i9 thereof to move the latter (from full to dotted line position, Fig. 4) whereupon the arm il engages the trough 'i6-'I3 and pivots the latter (counterclockwise, from full to dotted line position, Fig. ll) thereby discharging the ball 3i! out or" the trough E-'i onto the inclined playing board I2. The ball i thus discharged from the trough 13 onto the inclined playing board l2 is guided along the latter by the rail into the ball exit opening 87 (Figs. 1 and 3), whence it falls into a chute 8S, and is in turn conducted by the latter into the ball elevator guideway 3i wherein it engages the latch and releases the latter and is, thereupon, elevated by the ball elevator 52-53 up the guideway 3l onto the runway 35 by which it is delivered onto the upper run E@ of the chain 2l into position for play to be resumed.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form oi construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modiiication, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modiiications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface and said member having a ball exit opening or pocket therein; means for propelling a ball over said playing surface so that it may enter into said ball exit opening or pocket; an endless ball conveyor` in said cabinet for transporting a ball ircm one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball exit opening or pocket for operating said endless ball conveyor.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface and said member having two spaced ball exit openings therein; means for propelling a ball over said playing surface so that it may enter into one of said exit openings; an endless ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying or ltransporting a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; a runway upon said playing surface for conducting a ball onto said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings for o erating said conveyor; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering the ot er one of said exit openings ior elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up onto the latter and into said runway.

3. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface and said member having two spaced ball exit openings therein; means for propelling a ball over said playing surface so that it may enter into one of said exit openings; an endless ball conveyor in said cabinet ier conveying or transporting a ball from one point to another upon said playing surface; a runway upon said playing surface for conducting a ball onto said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one oi said exit openings for operating said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a ball entering the other one of said exit openings for elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up onto the latter and into said runway; and means for deilecting a ball ofi from said conveyor onto said playing surface so that it may gravitate into the said other one of said ball exit openings.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having a ball exit opening therein; means including an energy-storing device released by a ball passed through said exit opening to a point below said playing surface for automatically elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up to the level of the same; means for propelling a ball onto said playing surface so that it may enter into said ball eXit openin; r.eans for elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up to the level of the same and in front of said propelling means; and means coacting with said third-named and elevating means for energizing said energy storing device.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface provided with a ball-receiving pocket, an endless article-conveyor in said cabinet for conveying or transporting an article from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ballreceiving pocket for moving said conveyor relative to and across said playing surface.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having two spaced ball exit openings therein; means ior propelling a ball over said playing surface so that it may enter into either one of said enit openings; a ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying or transporting a ball from one point to another relative to and across playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings for moving said conveyor in one direction relative to and across said playing surface; said second-named and last-mentioned means including a device for moving said conveyor in'a direction opposite` to the said first-named direction if and when a ball enters the other of said exit openings.

'7. in a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playsurface having two spaced ball exit openf a ball entering one of said exit openings fory moving said endless conveyor so as to transport r convey a ball thereby from one point tol another relative to and across said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering the other of said exit openings for automatically elevating a ball from'a point below said playing surface up into said runway so that it may travel along the latter onto said conveyor.

8. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having two` spaced ball exit openings therein; a ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying or transporting a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; a runway upon said playing surface for conducting a ball onto said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a 752 ball entering one of said exit openings for moving said conveyor so as to transport or convey a ball thereby from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a. ball entering the other of said exit openings for automatically elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up into said runway so that it travels along the latter onto said conveyor.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having two spaced ball exit openings therein; an endless ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying or transporting a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; a runway upon said playing surface for conducting a ball onto said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings for moving said endless conveyor so as to transport or convey a ball thereby from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; means including an energy-storing device released by a ball entering the other of said exit openings for automatically elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up into said runway so that it may travel along the latter onto said conveyor; means for propelling a ball onto said playing surface so that it may enter into the said first-named one of said exit openings; means for elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up to the level of the same and in front of said propelling means; and means coasting with said fourth-named and elevating means for energizing said energy-storing device.

10. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having two spaced ball exit openings therein; an endless ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings for operating said conveyor; an operating mechanism in said cabinet actuated by a ball entering the other of said exit openings; and means for deiiecting a ball from said conveyor into the said other one of said exit openings so that it may actuate said operating mechanism.

11. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having three ball exit openings therein; an endless ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings for operating said conveyor; an operating mechanism in said cabinet actuated by a ball entering one of the other two of said exit openings; means for` deflecting a ball from said conveyor into the said one of said exit openings so that it may actuate said operating mechanism; and meansactuated by a ball entering the remaining one of said exit openings for automatically elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up onto said conveyor.

l2. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having ball exit openings or pockets therein; an endless conveyor in said cabinet for transporting a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings or pockets for operating said conveyor; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering the other of said exit openings or pockets for automatically elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up ontosaid conveyor.

13. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a playing surface having two spaced ball exit openings therein; an endless ball conveyor in said cabinet for conveying or transporting a ball from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; a runway upon said playing surface for conducting a ball onto said conveyor; means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of said exit openings for moving said endless conveyor so asto transport or convey a ball thereby from one point to another relative to and across said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering the other of said exit openings for' automatically elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up into said runway so that it may travel along the latter onto said conveyor; means for propelling a ball onto said playing surface so that it may enter into the said first-named one of said exit openings; and means for elevating a ball from a point below said playing surface up to level of the same and in front of said propelling means.

WILLIAM HAROLD HUENERGARDT.

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