US2076832A - Free play device - Google Patents

Description

April 13, 1937. J. H. TIGERMAN FREE PLAY DEVICE Filed June 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EQTHIIWM H wmz n Q N In v'erz Z'Or Josey??? Ji- .Tiyermarz April 13, 1937. J. H. TIGERMAN 2,076,332

FREE PLAY DEVICE Filed June 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 His A fly.

Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES ms PLAY DEVICE Joseph H. Tiger-man, Chicago, Ill.. aaaignor to J. H. Tigerman, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 12, 1936, Serial No. 84,795

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a free play device.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved free play device which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efficient m use.

soothe object of the present invention is to provide a free play device for coimwntrolled apparatus such, for example, as an amusement a 1 ratus of the so 'called pin and marble game b coin-controlled apparatus. zonal object of the present invention is to provide a novel device for controlling the operation the free play device.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide novel device for controlling the operation of the free play device in such a manner that the indicator in the same may be moved 0 e or more circumferential steps away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, rather than in a constant and predetermined sequence of one circumferential step at each time as in the prior art free play devices.

A. further object oi the present invention is to provide a novel device for simultaneously operating the resetting mechanism for the free play indicator and the means for moving the ball-retaining member into ball-releasing position, when the free play device is used in conjunction with an amusement apparatus of the so-called pin and marble game type.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

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

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

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing a preferred form of the new free play device embodied in an amusement apparatus of the so-called pin and marble game type;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the several electrical circuits embodied in the new device; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly diagrammatic, showing the new free play device, the control mechanism therefor, and the various circuits associated therewith.

A preferred form of the new free play device is shown in the drawings and is therein shown, for the purpose of illustration, as being associated with an amusement apparatus of the so-called pin and marble game type, said amusement apparatus being generally indicated at in and comprising a cabinet ll which includes an inclined playing board l2; it being understood, however, that while the new free play device is shown as being associated with an amusement apparatus of the so-called pin and marble game type it may be used in conjunction with other coin-controlled apparatus such, for example, as automatic phonographs, and the like.

Provided in the inclined playing board ill are ball-receiving pockets or exit openings it! and slidably mounted in the cabinet ll, below the w inclined playing board i2, is an operating mechanism in the form of a so called shame-board or ball-retaining member is, and mounted on the ball-retaining member M. are switches it which are adapted to be closed by the action oi. halls It 35 entering the pockets i3.

lrovidecl in the cabinet it is an upright wall or support El and attached to this wall it" is a bracket ill on which is mounted a solenoid it; this solenoid is including movable element or 90 armature 2t which is attached, as at El, to the ball-retaining member is (Fig. l.) This solenoid i9 is embodied or arranged in an electrical circult, generally indicated at 22 (Fig. 2) and arranged in this circuit is a control switch in the form of a push button switch 23 which is slidably mounted in the end wall 2d of the cabinet ll (Fig. 1). Likewise embodied in the circuit 22 is a source of electrical energy which may be a battery of dry cells, or the like, 2% which are shown as being mounted in the cabinet ii on the bottom wall thereof.

The present invention embodies a new free play device, which is generally indicated 25, and this free play device includes an indicator or 35 pointer 26 which is fixedly mounted on or attached to a vertically extending rotatable shaft 21 and this indicator 26 is movable over a dial (not shown) but which may be arranged in the cabinet H below the transparent or glass top 28 of the same. Likewise mounted on the shaft 21' is a ratchet 29 and engageable with the teeth of the ratchet 29 is a pawl 30 which is pivotally mounted, as at 3!, upon a slide bar 32 which is slidably mounted upon a supporting frame 33, the pawl 30 being normally urged out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 29 by a spring 34 (Fig. 3) and the extent of movement of the pawl 30 being limited by a pin and slot connection 35 which it has with the slide bar 32. 5%

The slide bar 32 is attached, as at 36, to the movable element or armature 31 of a solenoid 38 which is mounted upon a supporting frame 39, upon which the frame 33 is likewise mounted, and this solenoid 38 is embodied in an electrical circuit 40 which is controlled by a control device or commutator H, which will be described hereinaiter, and which forms the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 67,614, filed 5 March 7, 1936, on a coin checking or dispensing device.

Pivotally mounted, as at 42, upon the supporting frame 33, is an escapement dog 43, and this dog 43 is pivotally connected, as at 44, to the movable eiement or armature 45 of a solenoid it which is mounted upon the supporting frame One side of the solenoid 46 is electrically connected, by way of a conductor M, with one side of the solenoid it, and the other side of the solenoid it is electrically connected, by way of conductors ii] and 2G, with the other side of the solenoid lli; while the conductors 58-49 are, in

turn, electrically connected, by way of a conductor to a resilient contact 5i of a switch 52 which is mounted on the supporting frame 3%. The switch also includes a resilient contact 53 which is somewhat shorter in length than the contact iii (Fig. 3) so that the contact 5i has an end portion which projects beyond the end oi the contact Mounted on the ratchet 29 and projecting upwardly, above the upper surface of the latter, is 9. lug or pin and this lug 55 is engageahle with the end portion of the contact St for reason to he explained hereinafter.

The contact is electrically connected, by way of a conductor with one side of the cur rent source 2d, and the other side of the current source is electrically connected, by way of conductors to and fi'l, to one side of the push button or control switch each of the ball-actuated switches l5 including a contact which is electrically connected, by conductor 55?, to the conductor Ell.

The control device ll for the free play device 25 includes an annular row of spaced stationary contacts to, each of which is electrically connected, by a conductor 53, to the stationary and central contact of the corresponding switch it, it being noted hat central contact 64:; of the initial switch to (as seen looking left to right in Fig. 3) is electrically connected, by way of the conductor 63a to the initial contact Sila and that the second contact 60b (as seen looking from bottom to top Fig. 3) is electrically connected, by way of conductor 83b to the contact inlet of the switch ltd; and that the middle contact 642) of the second switch i527 is connected, by a conductor liili, to the conductor 63b, for a reason which will be made apparent hereinafter.

The control device or commutator 4! also includes a movable contact 62 which is movable over, and successively into engagement with the stationary contacts 60, this movable contact 62 being fix :lly mounted on or attached to a shaft 63 which is rotatably mounted upon a support. Likewise mounted on the shaft 63 is a ratchet 65 and engageable with this ratchet 65 is a pawl 66, this pawl 66 being pivotally mounted between its ends, as at El, upon an upward extension SI of a rocker arm 15 which is loosely mounted upon, that is, floats, on the shaft 63; the pawl 66 being urged into engagement with the ratchet 65 by a spring 10. The lower end portion 16 of the rocker arm 15 projects into a slot I! which is formed in the armature or movable element 82 of a solenoid '18.

Likewise loosely mounted on, that is, floating,

' the contact 14 so as to close the switch 13.

A spring Bl has one end portion attached to the rocker arm 75, as at 85, and has its other end portion attached to the lower end portion 'H' of the rocker arm 69, as at 86.

Operation When a ball iii enters one of the ball-receiving pockets l3 it closes the corresponding switch #5, by bridging the contacts 58 and 64 thereof, whereupon current will flow through the solenoid T8 of ihe control device ti as follows: from one side of the current source 24, by way of the conductors 39 and 5?, through the corresponding and closed switch it, through the conductor 63 and corresponding contact 60, through the movable contact G2 (which at this time disposed in its initial position, that is, in engagement with the initial contact Eta) thence 'o" way of the ground conductor 9i and conductors S2 and 93 to one side of the solenoid "it, through the latter, and thence by way 01' the conductors 9d and 95 and switch "53 back to the other side of the current source 2t, thereby energizing the solenoid l8; it being understood that the switch '13 is normally closed.

When the solenoid T8 is thus energized it moves its armature 82 (left to right, Fig. 3), and this movement of the armature 82 moves the rocker arm 15 (counterclockwise, Hg. 3) on the shaft 83. During this operation the pawl 66 rides over the ratchet 65 an angular or circumferential distance equal to the angular distance between two of the teeth in the ratchet 85. As the armature d2 of the solenoid 18 is moved (left to right, Fig. 3) it acts, through the lower end portion 16 of the rocker arm 15 and the spring 81, to move the rocker arm 69 (clockwise, Fig. 3) on the shaft 63, thus moving the lower end portion ll of the rocker arm 69 out of engagement with the resilient contact 12 of the switch 13, whereupon the said contact 12 will move, under the action of its own resiliency, into position to open the switch 13, thereby deenergizing the solenoid l8; the

movement of the rocker arm 59 (clockwise, Fig.

3) being limited by the engagement of its upper end portion 83 with the stop 88.

When the solenoid 18 is thus deenergized, by the opening of the switch 13, the tensioned resetting spring l9 returns the armature 82 of the solenoid '18 back to its initial position (as in Fig. 3) and during this operation the armature 11 moves the rocker arm 15 (clockwise, Fig. 3) on the shaft 63, thereby causing the pawl 66 to engage the teeth of the ratchet and move the same, together with the shaft 63 and the movable contact 62 a circumferential distance corresponding to the distance between two of the stationary contacts 60, that is, out of engagement with the initial contact a into engagement with the contact 60b, thereby again closing circuit to, and energizing, the solenoid 18, this cycle of operations continuing until the movable contact 82 moves out of engagement with the particular contact 60 which corresponds to, and is electrically connected by the corresponding conductor 62, to the particular switch II which has been closed by the action a ball entering one of the pockets I3. Thus, for example, it the ball enters the particular pocket I3 with which the switch I60 is associated the solenoid I0 will be energized, and the control device 4| will be actuated, three successive times, during which operation the movable contact 62 or the commutatoror control device 4I will move successively from its initial position, in engagement with the contact 60a, into and out of engagement with the contact 60c whereupon the control device U will cease to operate, the movable contact 62 being returned to its initial position by any suitable resetting means (not shown).

It is to be noted that when the parts are in their initial position, the lug 55 on the ratchet 29 is disposed in engagement with the end portion 54 of the contact 6|, thereby maintaining the switch 52 in open position. However, when the solenoid I6 is energized, as above set forth, to operate the control device 4I, circuit is also closed to the solenoid 36 so as to operate the free play device 25, current then flowing as follows: from one side of the current source 24, by way of the conductors 89 and 66 to one side of the solenoid 38, through the latter, and then by way of the conductors 91 and 95 and switch I3 back to the other side current source 24, thereby energizing the solenoid 38.

When the solenoid 361s thus energized it will attract its movable element or armature 37 and the slide bar 52 (downwardly, as seen in Fig. 3)

against the action 01' the resetting spring 98, th areby moving the pawl 30 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 29. Accordingly, when the switch 13 is opened, in the manner hereinbefore set forth, the tensioned resetting spring 08 will move the slide bar 32 and armature 31 back into their initial positions (as seen in Fig. 3), and during this operation the pawl 30 will engage the teeth of the ratchet 29 and move the latter, shaft 21, and indicator 26 one circumferential step (counterclockwise, Fig. 3), and the indicator 26 will then show that the player has one free play to his credit.

When the player has one or more free games to his credit, as shown by the indicator 25, that is, when the indicator 26 is away from its initial or zero position, the player may move the ballretaining member or so-called "shuffle-board" i 2 into bail-releasing position by operating the control switch 23, which may be of the push button typ or any other desired type, whereupon, when the control switch 23 is closed the operating solenoid IQ for the ball-retaining member I4 will be energized, current then flowing as follows: from one side of the current source 26, by way of the conductor 56, switch 52, and conductors 50 and 49, into one side of the solenoid I9, through the latter, and then by way oi! the conductor 98, switch 23 and conductors 51 and 89 back to the other side of the current source 24, thereby energizing the operating solenoid I! for the ball-' retaining member I4.

When the operating solenoid I9 for the ballretaining member I4 is thus energized it will act upon its movable element or armature 20 to move the latter (right to left, Fig. 1), thereby moving the slidable ball-retaining member I4 (right to left, Fig; 1) into ball-releasing position, that is, into position to release the balls I6 from the pockets I2 in the inclined playing board I2; the ball-retaining member I4 being returned to its initial position by a conventional resetting spring (not shown). In this manner the player is enabled to play a free game upon the amusement apparatus III, with which the present invention is associated, in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, without inserting a coin into or operating the coin slide 09 which, as is well understood in the art, has a conventional operative connection (not shown) with the ball-retaining member I4 for operating the latter.

The control device 4| includes a lever I06 (Fig. 3) which is pivotally mounted between its ends in the cabinet II, as at E01, and this member I06 has an upper end portion I04 which is engageable with an arm or bracket I05 which is attached to and depends from the slidable ballretaining member I4 (Fig. 1). The upper end portion I 04 of the lever I06 is engageable with an upwardly extending arm I 09 of the pawl 86.

Accordingly, each time the ball-retaining member I4 is moved (right to left, Fig. 1) into ballreleasing position, the depending arm I05 thereof will engagethe upper end portion I04 of the lever I06 and will pivot the latter, at I01, (counterclockwise, Fig. 3), thereby moving the upper end portion I04 of the lever I06 into engagement with the upwardly extending arm I09 of the pawl 66 and thus moving the pawl 66 out of engagement with the ratchet 65, whereupon the tensioned resetting coil spring I08 for the ratchet 65 will move the latter and the shaft 63 and the movable contact 62 of the control device 4i one circumferential step (counterclockwise, Fig. 3), that is, a circumferential distance equal to the circumferential distance between two of the stationary contacts 60 of the commutator ti. This operation is repeated each time the circuit to the solenoid I9 is closed, by the switch 23, to operate the ball-retaining member I4, so that when the latter has been operated a number of times equal to the number of free plays the player has to his credit, as indicated by the free play indicator 26, the movable contact will be back in its initiai position, that is, in engagement with the contact 600;. It is to be noted, in this connection, that the lever I06 is returned to its initial position, (asin Fig. 3) after each operation thereof, by its resetting spring IIO.

When the operating solenoid 30 for the ballretaining member I4 is energized, the operating solenoid 46 which operates the resetting device 43 for the free play indicator 26 is likewise energized, current then flowing as follows: from one side of the current source 24, by way of the conductor 56, through the switch 52, through the conductors 50 and 48 into one side of the solenoid 46, through the latter, and then by way of the conductors 41 and 88, switch 23, and com clusters 51 and 89 back to the other side of the current source 24.

When the operating solenoid 46 for the resetting device (for the free play device H) is thus energized it will attract its movable element or armature 45, against the action of its resetting spring I00, (downwardly as seen in Fig. 3) thereby plvoting the pawl 43,, at 42, (counterclockwise, Fig. 3). This movement of the pawl 43 moves the arm I02 thereof out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 20 and at the same time moves the arm IOI oi the pawl 43 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 29, thus moving the ratchet 29 and the free play indicator 26 one circumferential or angular step back toward their initial positions, (clockwise, Fig. 3), this resetting operation being repeated each time the control switch 23 is operated to play a free game upon the amusement apparatus 10 with which the present invention is associated.

Accordingly, when the free play indicator 26 and the ratchet 29 are reset back into their initial positions, the lug or pin 55 on the ratchet 29 will engage the end portion 54 of the contact El and will thereby move the latter out of engagement with the contact 53, thus opening the switch 52 and breaking circuit both to the operating solemold is for the ball-retaining member id and to the operating solenoid #16 for the resetting mech-- anism GS of the free play device 25, it being noted that the contacts at and 53 of the switch 52 are normally urged into engagement with each other by their own resiliency. It is to be noted, however, that when the free play device 25 is in ts normal or initial position, the pin or lug 55 on the ratchet 29 is disposed in engagement with the end portion 5 or" the contact 56, thus malntalning the switch 52 in open position, and that when the switch 52 is opened circuit can not be closed to either of the solenoids 46 and i9, by operating the manual control switch 23, and hence the player can not move the ball-retaining member it into ball-releasing position by operating the manual control switch '23 when the free play device 25 is in its normal or initial position. It is also to be noted that in the present free play device the player may become entitled to one or more free plays when a ball it enters one of the pockets rather than being limited to but one free play for each ball, as in the prior art free play devices.

It will be noted, (Fig. 3) that the stationary contacts iiilf to 6657, inclusive, are tied together into one unit by means of a conductive strip Hi3 so that if a ball 66 enters into the particular pocket 53 which has the switch l5 associated therewith the movable contact 62 of the control device or commutator ll will move from its initial position in engagement with the contact 60a successively into engagement with the stationary contacts 66a, 60b, 60c, 60d, tile, 881, 60g, 667;, (Elli, and 667, thus closing circuit ten (16) times in succession to the solenoids Iii and 38 and thus moving the free play indicator 26 ten circumferential steps (counterclockwise, Fig. 3), thereby indicating that the player is, and thus entitling him to, ten free plays.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form or" construction for carrying my invention into erTect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details 01' construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet having an inclined playing board provided with ballreceiving pockets, and a ball-retaining member slidably mounted in the said cabinet below the said inclined playing board for temporarily retaining therein balls which enter into said pockets, said free play device comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, control means actuated by a ball entering one of the said pockets for moving said indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, said control means including a device for moving the said indicator alternatively one or a plurality of steps at each operation thereof, the number or said steps at each operation being determined by the particular one of the said pockets the said ball enters.

2. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet having an inclined playing board provided with ballrecelving pockets, and a ball-retaining member slidably mounted in the said cabinet below said inclined playing board for temporarily re taining therein balls which enter into said pockets, said free playdevice comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, control means actuated by a ball entering one of the said pockets for moving the said indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, said control means including a device for moving the said indicator alternatively one or a plurality of steps in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, the number of said steps at each operation being determined by the particular one of the said pockets the said ball enters, means for resetting the said free play indicator back into its initial position, means for moving the said ball-retaining member into ball-releasing position, and means for simultaneously operating both the said resetting means for the said free play indicator and the said means for moving the said ball-retaining member into ball-releasing position.

3. A free play device for an amusement apparatus or the type which includes a cabinet hav ing an inclined playing board provided with ball-- receiving pockets, and a ball-retaining member slidably mounted in the said cabinet below the said inclined playing board for temporarily retaining therein balls which enter into the said pockets, said free play device comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in the said cabinet, control means actuated by a ball entering one of the said pockets for moving the said indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, said control means including a device for moving the said free play indicator alternatively one or a plurality of steps in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, the number of said steps at each operation being determined by the particular pocket the said ball enters, means for resetting the said free play indicator back into its initial position, means for moving the said ballretaining member into ball-releasing position, means for simultaneously operating both the said resetting means for the said free play indicator and the said means for moving the said ball-retaining member, and means for pre venting operation of the said means for moving the said ball-retaining member, and of the said resetting means for the said free play indicator, when the said free play indicator is in its initial or zero position.

'4. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet having an inclined playing board provided with ballreceiving pockets, and a ball-retaining member slidably mounted in the said cabinet below the said inclined playing board for temporarily retaining therein balls which enter into the said pockets, said free play device comprising a free play indicator a utment movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, control means actuated by a ball entering one of the said pockets for moving the said free play indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, said control means including a device for moving the said free play indicator alternatively one or a plurality of steps in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, the number of said steps at each operation being determined by the particular one of the said pockets the said ball enters, means for resetting the said free play indicator back into its initial position, means for moving the said ball-retaining member into ball -releasing position, and a manual control member movably mounted in a wall of the said cabinet for simultaneously operating both the said resetting means for the said free play indicator and the said means for moving the said ball-retaining member into ball-releasing position.

5. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet having an inclined playing board down which playing balls are adapted to travel, said free play device comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, and control means actuated by a ball traveling down the said inclined playing board for moving the said free play indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, said control means including a device for moving the said free play indicator alternatively one or a plurality of steps away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof.

6. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet having an inclined playing board down which playing balls are adapted to travel, said free play device comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, control means actuated by a ball traveling down the said inclined playing board for moving the said free play indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, said control means including a device for moving the said free play indicator alternatively one or a plurality of steps in a direction away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof, and means for resetting the said free play indicator back into its initial position.

'7. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet or casing having a surface over which a ball may be played, said free play device comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, and control means actuated by a ball in the said cabinet for moving the said free play indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position, said control means including a device for moving the said free play indicator a variable number of steps away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof.

8. A free play device for an amusement apparatus of the type which includes a cabinet or casing having a surface over which a ball may be played, said free play device comprising a free play indicator movably mounted in or adjacent to the said cabinet, and control means actuated by a ball in the said cabinet for moving the said free play indicator in a direction away from its initial or zero position, said control means including a device for moving the said free play indicator a plurality of steps away from its initial or zero position at each operation thereof.

JOSEPH H. TIGERMAN.

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