US2093948A - Game - Google Patents

Description

sept. 21, 193,7. s. T. ALLEN 2,093,948

GAME Filed Jan. 31, 1933 A 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 S. T. ALLEN Sept. 21, 1937.

GAME

Filed Jan. 5l, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JVVENTUR .5172 ZULLEN- S. T. ALLEN sept. l21, 1937.

GAME

Filed Jan. 3l, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IlTl h WN v um .Nm Q. www @s n ww\mw MM \\\1\Jb! r SQ n mm. $1 mw A mw NWN Y H+ fla J .Mmm km www irl N S1 n w .llllll/v/Ilw Nm. @Y SN L NQQN \\w% %N\ NNN. :F 1| 1 \.\N. NN. NQ KW QN 1 f L l lill! 1 Q Q hul mslm 4| m 7n, f .u \lh.| Il NN uN "IIVVENTUL Sept. 2l, 1937. s. T. ALLE-N GAME Filed Jan. 3l, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Z z? 87 a :91% sa 77 F 75(5/ 97 UL 76 Z2 Id Z2 v v A l 'p 3.3 l i l ''lu 11"" I 7 .jill h. l f I l i 123 l 5gg/Q M 122 m 127 :'NVENTDL jj' E IZJJLLEN* f2.4 BY 123 j?? .H5 El? 'S 28- 116 ,/2'

A A n TTUHNEY.

Patented Sept. 21, 1937 pira stares PATsr GAME Sherman T. Allen, Los Angeles, Calif.,.assignor, by mesne assignments, to Oliver O. Brooker, San Francisco, Calif. y

Application .l'anuary 31, 1933, Serial No. 654,454 In Canada June 28, 1932 13 Claims. (Cl. 273-101) This invention relates to games, and more particularly to games operated in conjunction with a coin controlled mechanism requiring that a suitable coin or coins be deposited therein before scribed, wherein novel means arekprovided for placing the quoits in operativerelation to the pitching device, this placing means comprising a magnet whereby the quoits maybe picked up, and

the game can be played. a handle on the magnet accessible exteriorly of An object of the present invention is to prothe housing whereby the magnet maybe so mavide a coin controlled game of the character denipulated as to place a 'quoit carried thereby in scribed, which simulates, and is played similarly selected position upon the pitching means, but to, the well known game of quoits or horsewithout permitting direct access to thequoits shoes. themselves. g al0 Another object in this connection is to provide The present invention possesses otherobjects a miniature quoit or horseshoe game contained and advantageous features, some of'which,-With within a suitable case having a transparent winthose enumerated, will be set forth in lthe fol1ow-' dow through which the progress of the game can ing description of the inventionsy particular embe watched, and provided with exteriorly operable bodiments which are illustrated in the drawings .l5 controls whereby the quoit or quoits may be accompanying and forming a portion of this manipulated in order to play the game. specification. It is to be understood that rI do Another object is to provide a coin-operated not limit myself to the specific, disclosure made by n game as hereinabove set forth, which is of novel the said description, as I may4 adopt variations of e0 and eicient design, and in the playing of which the preferred form within the scope otgmy inven- 2,0

a considerable degree of skill is necessaryl in tion as set forth in the claims. f' order to build up a comparatively high score. In Referring to the drawings: .Y this respect, the game of the present invention Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a game construct- W differs materially from most coin-operated games, ed in accordance with the principles of the prese" inasmuch as the great majority of games of this ent invention. l' 25 general class depend almost exclusively upon Fig. 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, mere chance. the vplane of section being taken upon the line Another object of my invention is to provide a 2-2 of Figure 1. Aportion of the figure is broken m novel construction of coin control mechanism away to reduce its size. f f.,

U0 which is particularly adapted for use in conjunc- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional View, 30 tion with the quoit game hereinabove referred to. the plane of section being taken uponv the line A still further object is to provide a game as 3-3 of Fig. 2 with the direction of View as indihereinabove described wherein the playing board cated. A portion of the 'ligure is broken away to q of the game, the coin control, and operating mechreduce its size.

U0 anism associated therewith each forms a compact Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View, the plane 3.5 unit readily accessible to authorized lpersons for of section being taken upon the line @ie-t of Fig. 3, the purpose of inspection, repair, or replacement with the direction of view as indicated. A poras occasion demands. v tion of the figure is broken away to reduce its 4() Another object of the present invention is to size.

provide a novel type of quoit or horseshoe having Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view in longi- 40 rollers or the like so associated therewith that the tudinal, vertical section. The plane of section is quot is caused to turn as it moves along a Supsubstantially the same as in' Fig. 3 and :this porting surface, and assume a predetermined po-y view shows the mechanism associated with the sition with respect to its direction of movement. quoit game in its initial position.

' This portion of my invention is embodied in a Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the mech- 4P modified form of quoit which can be substituted anism in its second position, i. e., after vthe coin for the one-piece horseshoes to be described herehas been deposited and the coin strip pushed in'- in'oelow, and when so substituted, can be pitched ward. v

toward the pin in the same manner as the simpler Fig. 7 is a View in transverse, Vertical section,

quoits. Moreover, this modiiied form of quoit can taken upon the line 'l-l of Fig. 6, with the di- 59 be used apart from the remainder of the game, rection of view as indicated. n inasmuch as it is capable of aiiording much v Fig. 8 is a detail View. in horizontal section amusement and entertainment as a childs toy. taken upon the line 8-3 of Fig. 5 with the di- A further object is to furnish aminiature quoit rection of view as indicated to show a portion 55 or horseshoe game of the general character deof the coin-control mechanism.

Fig. 9 is another detail view of the coin control mechanism, taken in horizontal section upon the line 9--9 of Fig. 5 with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view in vertical section taken upon the line |0|0 of Fig. 4 with the direction of view as indicated by the arrows, and showing the mechanism for releasing the quoits from the pin.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing a modified form i of quoit which can be used in conjunction with the game of the present invention, or apart therefrom as a separate toy.

In terms of broad inclusion, the game 'of the present invention comprises a playing board having a peg or pin projecting upwards therefrom adjacent one end thereof, and-means associated with the other end of the playing board for successively pitching quoits toward the peg in simulation of the well known gamel of duoits"or horseshoes, 'Ihe game is of miniature form, being preferably completely enclosed within a suitable case or housing'having a transparent window through which the progress of the game can be observed. Preferably the peg projects upwards through a hole or recess in the playing board within which a skillfully pitched quoit can be received so as to occupy a position out of the Wayl of quoits pitched subsequently. Means Vare provided f or releasing the quots from the pin, ejecting them from the hole or recess, and for returning them to a position adjacent the pitching means. A magnet operable by a handle extending outside the case, can be manipulated to pickfup the quoits and 'place them in proper relation to the pitching means so that they can be pitched successively toward the pin. The means for returning the quoits to the pitching end of the'board is controlled by a coin-control mechanism of novel and highly eicient design, requiring the insertion of a suitable coin or coins before the game can be played.

A preferred embodiment of my game is illustrated in the drawings and comprises a case `or housing 2| composed of side walls 22, front and rear end walls 23 and 24, respectively, and a top 26,4- having a relatively large panel 21 of transparent and preferably.` rigid material such as glass. 'Ihe bottom ofthe housing 2|'is provided bya pivotally mounted playing board 28 which extends from adjacent the rear wall 24 to 'a position forward of the loweredge of a transverse vertical partition 29, rigid with and extending downwards from the top 28. Thus it maybe seen that the entire space 3| withinthe case 2| andbehind the partition 29, is substantially completely enclosed. Preferably the glass panel v21 extends over only that portion of the space 3| which lies between the transverse partition 2'9 and the back wall 24, thereby leaving asmaller space"32 between the front wall 24Y and the partition 32 which can not be seen throughthe panel'28.4 y

A quoit game, indicated in its entirety at l35 is `mounted within the case 2|, and whereas the present modification shows only one quoit game in the j'case 2 I, it should be understood that the'invention contemplates providing as many indiyvid'uallyoperable games in each case asmay be desired.4 The purpose of providing a plurality of games in each case 2| is to make it possible Vforarplurality of players to play the game simultaneously, thereby enhancing the competitive nature of the game and adding materially to the enjoyment and excitement of playing. However,

tends.

inasmuch as all the several quoit gameswould be of identical construction, it will suice for the purpose of the present disclosure to illustrate and describe but one of them.

The quoit game 36 comprises a playing area 31 presented by the upper surface of the playing board 28, which is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of the housing 2| and situated substantially onequarter of the length of the playing board 28 from the back wall 24, as best shown upon Figs.

2, 3 and 4. 'Ihe means for mounting the playing board 28 comprises a strip or plate 38 secured to the under surface of the playing board and having its ends deflected downwards to present lugs 39 through which a. pivot bar 4i ex- This bar 4| extends across the housing 2|, its ends being mounted within holes in the sidewalls 22. Removable caps 42 are preferably threaded into the outer ends of the holes to retain the bar 4l in operative position and to conceal the ends of the bar.

A handle 48, rigid with the forward end 41 of the playing board 28, extends through a slot 48 in an escutcheon plate 49 on the front wall 23. The slot 48 is vertically elongated to permit vertical movement of the end 41 of the playing board, the purpose being to tilt the board 28 from its normal, or playing position wherein it lies substantially horizontally or sufciently nearly so to permit the horseshoes or quoits from sliding thereupon when resting upon its upper surface. When tilted by lowering the handle 48, the board 28 assumes a sufliciently inclined position to cause quoits resting thereupon to slide downwards therealong until they drop into a pocket or recess 5I formed in the upper surface of the playing board 28 immediately behind the transverse partition 29. I prefer to provide the upper surface of the playing board 2B with a high polish, so as to decrease the angular distance through which the board 28 must be tilted in order to cause the quoits to slide thereupon. The same effect is attained by employing the modication of quoit which is illustrated upon Fig. l1 and which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

The forward end 41 of the playing board 28 is adapted to be'retained in normal or elevated position through the expedient of a detent or catch 56 carried by a horizontally slidable plate 51 which is carried by a guiding member 58 rigidly secured to the under surface of the top 26 forward of the transverse partition 29. This gtuding member 58 is preferably in the form. of a flat tube extending longitudinally with respect to the housing 2|. A second plate 59 is also slidably ymounted within the tubular guiding member 58 between the plate 51 and the front wall 23; and this plate 59 is engaged by an actuating member 6| the upper end 62 of which extends upwards through the top 26 to be accessible exteriorly of the housing 2|. The slot 63 within the top 26 in which the actuating member B2 is disposed is elongated longitudinally with respect to the housing 2| so that the actuating member 62 can be moved in reciprocating motion in this direction, carrying with it in like motion the plate 59 becauseof the interconnection of these two members in any suitable manner, such as by a finger 53 on the lower Y end of the actuating member extendingthrough a suitable opening in the plate 59.

Whereas the principal portion of the plate 59 is disposed forward of the other plate 51, I prefer that the p1ate`59` be provided withV longi-` tudinal extensions 65 projecting beyond the distal end of the plate 51 `and thatthe ends of the extensions 66 be interconnected by a'transverse strip 61, the effect being that' the plate 51 is completely surrounded by the plate 59, a suitable opening 68 being provided in the plate 59Awithin which the plate 51 'canreciprocate with respect to the plate 5?. This permits a longitudinaly reciprocation of the plate 59 without similar movement of the plate 51, unless a coin B9. be interposed between the shoulder 1l which terminates the after end of the opening 68 and a projecting finger 12 on the proximal end of the plate 51. For the purpose of introducing a coin of suitable denomination into the opening 68, the after end of the slot 63 is enlarged to provide a portion 13 of substantially circular cross-sectional conguration so that even thougha coin is introduced edgewise into this portion 13 it will fall onto the lower portion of a tubular guiding member 58 in such position that it lies-at there-v upon, as clearly shown upon Fig. 9'. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the device can be actuated only by acoin of suitable denomination, say, for example, a five-cent piece. If' a coin smaller than a live-cent piece `be inserted and the strip y5i? then pushed toward the rear of the machine, the strip 51 will not'be similarly carried with it because the coin will merely be pushed to one side within the opening 68 permitting the coin to move without exerting any pushing action against the proiecting'nger 12. However, if the proper coin be inserted it cannot be pushed to one lside by the extension 12 because it substantially coincides Viniwidth to the opening 58. Therefore, when thefproper coin @il is pushed toward the after-end l24 by means of the strip 59, the strip 51 will also beucarried in this direction, as will also therdet'ent 56which is rigidly secured to the plate 51. y

An opening 14 is provided in the lower portion of the guiding member 58 through which the coin S9 can drop when the plateuiii) reaches its forward extreme of motion;v andgal laterallyinclined coin-chute 15 guides the oo intov a suitable receiver 11, access toA which may'jbe had only by authorized persons. l y

When in its forward positionj thefdetent 55 is adapted to engage a bracket 8l vrigid with the forward end 41 of the playing board 28,' as clearly shown upon Fig., 5, and thus 4hold the associa-ted end of the playing board in elevated position. It is obvious, however, that when` the detent 53 is carried to its other extreme of motion the bracket 8! will be released (see Fig. @6), permitting the forward end 41 of the playing `board 23 to be lowered, whereby return of the quoits to the recess 5| may be effected, as explained hereinabove. Preferably a pair of coil springs 18 in tension support the forward fend i1 vof the playing board 28 so that the operatormust press downwards upon the handle 4,6v in order to cause the quoits to be returned to the forward end of the playing board. y

The means for re-engaging the detent i6 with the bracket 8| comprises a suitable abutment such as a screw 83 rigid with the reciprocable portion 34 of the pitching member 86, which will be described in detail hereinbelow. The'nger G3 on the actuating member 6i which engages the plate 59 extends therebeyond and through a suitable slot 'B1 in the guiding member 55% to a position within the p ath of the upper end of the abutment 83, s that when the reciprocable portion 851 of the pitching nfernber is withdrawn thev abutmentl S3 will engage the finger 63, drawing the vplate 59 back toward the front wall 23 of the housing 2l. .As this occurs, the transverse stripl' lofthe plate 59 will engage the after end of the-plate 51 so thattthis plate also is moved toward" the front wall 23, so? that the detent 553 is again carriedinla position to engage the bracket' 8l.

Means are provided, however, for preventing withdrawal of the reciprocable member S4 until thev forward end fl'i of the playing board 28 is agai'nraised to its fully elevated position. For this purposey a cheat proof in the form of a three-armed plate 88 is pivctally mounted as by a screw 89 upon the forward face of the transverse 'partition Q9. The screw 89 pivctally engages an arm ill. of the plate 88 whereas another arm G2 spaced laterally from the pivot screw 89: extends downwards to engage the forward end fit1 of the playing board Ztl-when the latter is in fully elevated position. The third arm Q3 extends beyond the arm 92 andvcarries'an extension 94 which projects toward the rearof the machine to engage a lateral extension il@ on the reciprocable member 84. However, the engagement between the extensiony 92' on the' cheat proof and the' lateral extension 96 of the pitching member can occur only when the cheat proof is swung to its lowermost position, in which it is illust rated upon Fig. 7, and this can occur only when the forward end 41 of the playing board 23 is swung downwards from its uppermost position. When the end i1 is raised it engage the arm 92, raising the cheat'proof, moving the extension or" the arm Q3 out of registry withthe extension Se. "Iherefor'e itfis not until 'after the playing board 23 has returned to its extreme elevated position that the reciiprocable member trl of the pitching device can be retracted; and this preventsth-e possibility of' replacing the detent 56 before the ibracket Si has been moved high enough for the detent t to become engaged thereunden Y t The yrecip'rocable member 84 of the pitching mechanism 86 is'prefer'ably in the form of a rod or bar 91 ofnon-circular cross section, mounted for longitudinal reeiprocatory motion in a guideway S8 which is rigidly mounted within the housing 2i, preferably by'being secured at its ends to the front wall'23 and the partition 29. One end 98 of the rod 91 extends beyond the front walll 23 to provide a handle'where'by the rod 91 conveniently'be'retracted' against the action of a coil' spring Il which is under tension between ther partition 25 and a lug M32 0n the bar $51. Preferably resilient stop means are provided forlimiting inward motion of the rod 91, such as a coil spring U33 encircling the rod v91 outside the housing 2l and anchored at onefend'as by a screw 96' tothe rod 91 in position' for the other end of the spring to engage a pad mit of cushioning material on thefront Lend 23 ofthehousing 2i as the rod 91 nears its inner 'extreme of movement, This stop-spring m3 is, however,-relatively Stiff as compared to theactuating spring 50i, the purpose being 'to bring the rod 91 to rest relatively suddenly, but with am'inimurn of noise.

A suitable socket Hl is' provided uponl the innerend of the rod' 91, the parts being so proportionedand arranged that this socket HI lies jusu inside (1.' e. behind) the transverse partition 29 when the rod 91 is in such position that the springs l0i` and 193 -are in equilibrium. The socket I l l; is open at its inner end'andis adapted to receive missils to be thrown, such as quoits or horseshoes I I2, a plurality of which are provided within the housing 2 I. The quoits I I2 are adapted to be received singly within the socket III resting loosely upon the upper surface of the lower, horizontal plate ||3 of the socket. The socket terminates in an abutment such' as a transverse strip I I4 which the quoit is adapted to engage so as to cause the quoit to move with the socket as the latter moves rapidly inwards under the impetus of theactuating springIIlI. When this inward motion is suddenly stopped, however, the quoit I I2 will continue its motion toward the after end of the housing 2|, due to the fact that the inner end of the socket III is open and unobstructed. Thus it may be seen that when a quoit ||2 is placed within the socket II I it may be pitched toward the after end of the housing 2| by pullingloutwards on the end 99 of the bar 91, thus storing suflicient energy in the actuating spring IDI to cause the rod 91, the socket I I I, and the quoit |I2 carried thereby tobe moved quite rapidly toward therear end of the housing when the end 99 of the bar 91 is released. When the bar 91 and socket III are brought to an abrupt stop by engagement of the spring ID3 with the cushion |06, the quoit I I2 will continue its rapid motion toward the after end of. the housing. Preferably the spring I 8| is of such strength that the quoit will be thrown through the air for a considerable distance before coming into contact with the playing board 28, after which it will slide therealong toward a peg or pin |I6 which is provided adjacent the after end of the housing 2| projecting above the board 28 so that quoits I|2 pitched from the socket III can, if the controls are manipulated correctly, become engaged upon the pin IIB. Preferably this pin is carried upon a'bracket I I1 rigid with the after end 24 of the housing 2| and projects upwards therefrom through a circular opening II8 which is formed in the board 28 between the after end thereof and the bracket 38 by means of which the board 28 is pivotally supported. Hence, when the forward end 41 of the board 28 is lowered, that portion of the board 428 within which the opening ||3 is formed will be raised. The opening II3 serves as a recess within which a plurality of quoits, each of which has been pitched successfully so as to encircle the pin I I and thus score a ringer, will become lodged; and the purpose of raising the after end of the playing board 28 is to lift these quoits above the after end of the'peg II6 or so nearly to the level of the upper end thereof, that the quoits may be ejected from the recess ||8 and thus released from the peg IIS onto the sloping surface of the board 28 by the ejecting mechanism indicated in its entirety at |I9 and illustrated to best advantage upon Fig. 10.

This ejecting mechanism I I9 comprises a plate or disc |2I slightly smaller in diameter than the recess II8 and normally lying substantially in the plane of the under surface of the playing board 28 so as to serve as the bottom for the recess I I8 upon which quoits disposed within the recess can rest. A slot |22 is provided in the disc I2I through which the pin IIB extends, this pin being disposed substantially axially with respect to the recess II8. The plate I2| is supported by an arm |23 which extends longitudinally through a small housing |24 secured tothe under surface of the playing board 28. A transverse notch |26 is formed4 in the under surface of the arm |23 in position to engage upon the lower edge 'of an opening |21 which is provided in the after end of the housing |24. A spring clip I 28 is interposed between the upper surface of the arm I23gand the upper edge of the opening |21, thereby retaining the arm |23 in such position thatthe lower edge of the opening |21 remains engaged within the transverse notch |26 so as to provide a fulcrum upon which the arm |23 and plate I2I are pivotally supported. From the fulcrum the arm |23 is defiected downwards adjacent the after end 24 of the housing 2| and is then reversely bent providing a portion |29 extending upwards so that the end thereof may come into engagement with any suitable abutment means |3I rigid with the housing,

just prior to the time at which the playing board 28 reaches its most steeply inclined position. Continued upward motion of the after end of the playing board after engagement of the end |29 of the arm with the abutment |3| causes the arm |23 and the plate I 2| carried thereby to be swung in clockwise motion about the fulcrum. This raises the plate I2I within the recess |I8 at a relatively rapid rate due to the relatively long lever arm presented by the portion of the arm |23 lying between the plate |2I and the fulcrum as compared to the effective length of that portion of the arm which lies between the fulcrum and the abutment |3I. Accordingly any quoits which are resting upon the plate |2| will be ejected with suflicient force to cause them to fly upwards off the plate I2I and out of the recess |I8 andto fall upon the inclined upper surface of the playing board 28 free of the pin I I6, whereupon the quoits thus released from the pin and recess will slide down the sloping board 28 toward and into the recess 5|. In fact I have found that the quoits are ejected from the recess ||8 by this ejecting mechanism |I9 with suchforce that they are caused to turn over in the air before falling back upon the playing board 28.

Means are provided for lifting the quoits ||2 one at a time from the recess 5| after the playing board 28 has been returned to normal position, and for depositing them in operative relation with respect to the pitching mechanism 86, i. e. within then socket III. This device comprises a small horse shoe magnet I 36 which is provided witha handle in the form of a rod |31 extending looselyv through a slot |38 in an escutcheon plate |39fcarried by the top 26 of the housing 2|. The magnet |36 is larger than the slot |38 as is also a ball I4! rigidly secured to the outer or upper end of the rod |31, the purpose being to prevent the removal of the rod |31 from the slot |38. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the operator may, by grasping that portion of the rod |31 which projects outside the housing, so manipulate the magnet I 38 as to bring it into engagement with one of the quoits I|2 lying within the recess 5|. 'I'hese quoits are composed of magnetic material, so that they may thus become engaged upon the magnet |36 and lifted thereby so as to permit the operator to place it within the socket which is provided with a suitably shaped upper plate |42 carried by the transverse strip ||4 and spaced a suitable distance above the supporting plate II3 to permit the quoit to be inserted between the two plates 3 and |42. This upper plate |42 serves as means against which the quoit may be engaged after having been placed within the socket III, whereby the magnet |36 may be withdrawn therefrom, leaving the quoit within the socket.

I' prefer that the bottom |46 of the recess 5| be provided with portions |41 which slope laterally and toward the rear of the machinefrom a position directly under the socket the purpose being to prevent quoits from coming torest Within the socket 5l in such position that they are inaccessible to the magnet |36 manipulated from above.

It will be noted that the pitching mechanism 86 is free to be reciprocated within its guideway SS without having to deposit any coin or coins. In other words, the game may be played continuously as long as any quoits yet remain within reach of the magnet |36. However, itis impossible to lower the forward end il vof the playing board 28 and thus cause quoits that have been thrown toward the after end of the housing, to slide forward without depositing a coin of the proper denomination so as to effect release of the detent 56 from the bracket 8| as hereinabove described.

In lorder to permit an operator to pitch a ringer, i. e., to cause the quoit to become 'en gaged upon the pin H6, I prefer that the quoits be shaped similarly to the conventional horseshoe but of appropriately reduced proportions. Hence the proper position for a quoit within the socket is with the open end |5| thereof directed toward the after end of the game, so that as the quoit moves rearwards toward the pin l i6 the open end i5| thereof will be in thelead. Accordingly if the horseshoe l I2 has been thrown .straight at the pin it will become engaged upon the pin and dropped into the recess H8. Considerable skill is necessary, however, to causeall o f the horseshoes, of which there are preferably ten "in each game, to be pitched successfully Vso as to make ten ringers. I have found that if a horseshoe is not placed accurately Within the socket ll with the open `end 5| thereof point;l ing absolutely straight at the pin vi |6 and with the other end ofthe quoit actually in contact with the transverse lstrip M of the socket it will'bervirtually impossible for the operator to throw .a ringer. It will readily be understood, therefore, that playing the game .of the present invention permits the exercise of much more vskillorrthe part of the operator lthan do most vgames of the general class to which this ap-` pertains. v Y y Y Fig. .11 illustrates a modified form of quoit or horseshoe which may be 'used advantageously in the place of the quoits |2 hereinabove described. This horseshoe, which is indicatedin itsentirety at |56 is provided with means for Acausing it to turn as it yrnoves along a supporting surface and assume a predetermined position with respect to lits movement .upon that surface. This is accomf p'lished by providing supportingmeans for each .end ofthe horseshoe |56, the supporting means associated with one end being capable of moving easily in all directions upon the supporting surface, whereas the supporting means associated with theother end are not capable of moving on that surface as easily in at least any direction other than in parallelism with lthe longitudinal axis of the quoit |56. Preferably the closed end |51 of the horseshoe |56 is provided with the universally movable supporting means, lthis being in the form of a ball |58 mounted for universal movement inthe horseshoe and projecting lbeyond both the upperand lower surfaces thereof. lIhe `preferred means for mounting the `ball |58 comprises a ferrule |59, the thickness .of.which is less -thanzthe diameter of the ball' l,lliwand within which the vball 58 is mounted for free rotation in4 all directions. 'I'he ferrule |59 is rigidly secured to the horseshoe |56 by being soldered or otherwise fastened within a hole |6| in the end |57 of the horshoe |56.

The supporting means for the other or open end |62 of the horseshoe |56 comprises a ball |63 journalled adjacent the end of each leg |64 and projecting beyond both the upper and lower surfaces thereof. However, instead of being jour-4 nalled for universal movement, each of the balls |63 is capable of rotating only about an axis extending transversely with respect to the horseshoe. For this purpose each of the balls |63 is journalled upon a transverse pin |66 extending across a hole |61 formed in each leg |64. The fact that the balls |58 and |63 project beyond both the upper and lower surfaces of the horseshoe enables the device to operate equally well regardless of which side is uppermost. Inasmuch as the balls 63 can rotate only about transverse axes, motion ofthe horseshoe |56 upon a supporting surface will cause the end |62 of the horseshoe to trail the other end |51, causing the horseshoe to assume a position with its longitudinal axis substantially in parallelism with the quoits motion; hence as the horseshoe moves along the playing board 28 it will turn to position the open end |62 behind the closed end |59, and thereby make it impossible for the operator to pitch .a ringer unless the horseshoe has been pitched with sufficient velocity to cause it to become engaged upon the pin ||6 before it has had an opportunity to turn. Obviously this materially increases .the

`.amount of skill required for successfully playing It should be explained that Whereas this lastA described modification of horseshoe |56 has been designed primarily in the quoit game ofv my invention, `it is also capable of being employed apart from the game as a childs toy. The fact that the toy will always turn to dispose its longitudinal axis in parallelism with the direction'of movement will cause the toy to have a great appeal for a child, because of the amusement afforded 4by merely watching the toy turn and always assume a certain position when it is thrown or dragged upon a supported surface. The device may be given various shapes, indicating animals and the like; and inasmuch as an animal so constructed will always turn as it moves along its supporting surface and point its head forward, it will make a .highly desirable toy.

It is believed that the method whereby the game of the present invention should be played will v.readily be understood from the hereinabove description of its constituent parts. The object of the game, of course, is to build up as high a score as possible, it being understood lthat a certain `number of points are won by a -player each time he is successful in pitching a ringer. Inasmuch as a considerable degree of skill is necessary in playing the game in this manner, it will readily .be understood that in addition to being amusing and entertaining in itself, the game is of a highly competitive nature, for the reason that reach of several players will desire to attain a higherA having transparent means therein through which;

said playing board is visible,"a target adjacent one end of saidplaying board, a missile of magnetic material disposed inside said cab-inet, means adjacent the other endof said board for pitching said missile toward said target, a magnet disposed inside said cabinet adjacent said pitching means, and a handle secured to said magnet and extending through a wall of saidfcabinetwhereby said missile can be placed in operative relation to said vpitching means. V i

v 2. In a game, a closed cabinet having a playing board therein, at least lonejwall of said cabinet having transparent means therein through which said playing board is visible, a target adjacent one endv of said playing'board, a missile of magnetic material disposed'inside said cabinet, means adjacent the other end of said board for pitching saidvmissile towardsaid target, a magnet disposedinside said cabinet adjacent said pitching means, and a handle securedto said magnet and extending through a wall of said cabinet whereby said missile can vbe placed in selected operative relation to said pitching means. v o

3. In a game, a closed cabinet having a playing board therein,at least one wall of said cabinet having transparent means therein through which saidA playing board Iis visible, a target adjacent one end of said playing board, a missile of mag- .netic material disposed inside said cabinet, means adjacent the other end of said board for pitching said'missile toward said target, a magnet disposed inside said'l cabinet adjacent said pitching means, a handle secured to said magnet and extending through anj opening in a wall of said cabinet whereby said magnet may be manipulated from outside said cabinet and means for causing said missile to move to a position adjacent said pitching-means.

4. In a game, a playing board, a target therein "'4'0 comprising `a hole through thel board and a pin extending axially through said hole, rigid means below `said board to lwhich said pin is secured, a miniature horseshoe adapted to be pitched at y said targetand' having an opening thereinl en- -i5 abling it to' become engaged upon said pin, said hole being :ofsuflicient size to'receive said horseshoe, means carried by said board for supporting saidminiaturehorseshoe when Within said hole, and` means yfor raising said supporting meansto `Y`0 eject said miniature horseshoe from said hole.

5.v In agame, a playing board, a target therein comprising a holeV through the-'board and a pin extending axially through said hole, rigid means o belowfsaidfboard to which said pin is secured, a "'55 miniature horseshoe adapted to be pitched at said target and` having an opening therein enabling it to become engagedrupon said pin, means carried bysaidboardforsupporting said miniature'y horseshoe when within said hole, means for tilting said G0 board to raise the portion thereof associated with said target, and means for raising said supporting means with respect to said board to eject said miniature horseshoe from said hole as said board approaches the upper extreme of its movement.

6. In a game, a playing board, a target therein comprising a hole throughl the'board and a pin extending axially through said h ole, rigid means below said ,board to which said pin is secured, a n miniature horseshoe adapted to be pitched at said "10 target and having an opening Vtherein enabling it to become engaged upon said pin, means carried by said board for supporting said miniature horseshoe when within said hole,`means` for tiltl ing said'board to raise the'portion thereof associ- "75 ated withY said target, meansfor raising saidi'sup'- porting means with respect to said board to eject said miniature horseshoe from said hole as said board approaches the upper extreme of its movement,vand means disposed adjacent the other end of said board for pitching said miniature horseshoe toward said target after said board has been lowered to normalV position.

7. In a game, a playing board, a target therein comprising a hole through the board and a pin extending axially through said hole, rigid means below said board to which said pin is secured, a miniature horseshoe adapted to be pitched at said target and having an opening therein enabling it to become engaged upon said pin, means carried by said board for supporting said miniature horseshoe when within said hole, means for tilting said board to raise the portion thereof associated with said target, means for raising said supporting means with respect to said board to eject said miniature horseshoe from said hole as said board approaches the upper extreme of its movement, means disposed adjacent the other end of said board for pitching said miniature horseshoe toward said target after said board has been lowered to normal position, means adjacent said pitching means for receiving said miniature horseshoe when it slides down said tilted board, and means operable exteriorly of said game for placing said miniature horseshoe in selected position upon said pitching means.

8. A game apparatus comprising a box; a target eld adapted to receive impelled projectiles; a retrieving pocket; means connectingthe retrieving pocket with the target eld; means to lock said target eld, retrieving pocket, and connecting means in substantially horizontal position; coin-controlled means to release said locking means; and means to tilt said target field, retrieving pocket, and connecting means, whereby the projectiles on the target iield may be returned to the retrieving pocket on deposit of a coin in said coin-controlled locking means.

9. In an amusement device comprising a frame member, a playing surface extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the frame member, means for pivotally mounting the playing surface in the frame member, a peg extending through an aperture in the playing surface, means for a player to pitch miniature horseshoes at the peg, and means associated with said pivoting means to return "the pitched horseshoes to theplayer. l

10. In an amusement device comprising an enclosed housing embodying a glass top, a normally stationary playing surface pivotally mounted therein and extending from the front wall to the rear wall of the housing, a peg extending through an aperture in the playing surface adjacent the rearwall, means for a player to pitch miniature rhorseshoes at the peg, yand means to move the playing `surface to return thehorseshoes pitched to the player.

11. In an amusement device comprising an enclosed housing embodying a glass top, a playing surface pivotally'mounted therein and extending from the front wall to the rear wall of said housing, a peg supported on a' bracket mounted on said rear wall and projecting through an aperture in the playing surface adjacent the rear wall, meansV provided at the front wall Vof said housing for a player to pitchminiature horseshoes at the peg, and means for moving the playing surface to return the horseshoes pitched to the player. A

12. In an amusement device comprising an enclosed housing embodying a glass top, a normally closed' housing embodying a gassA top, a normally stationary playing surface pivotally mounted in the side Walls of the housing and extending from the front wall to the rear Wall of said housing, a peg extending through an aperture in the playing surface adjacent the rear Wall, means mounted on the front wall for a player to pitch miniature horseshoes at the peg, and means for tilting said playing surface to return the horseshoes 10 pitched to the player.

13. In an amusement device comprising an enstationary playing surface pivotally mounted therein and extending from the front wall to the rear Wall of said housing, a peg extending through an aperture in the playing surface adjacent the rear Wall, means for a player to pitch miniature horseshoes at the peg, means to move the playing surface to return the horseshoes, and a pocket in the front of the housing for receiving the horseshoes from the returning means.

SHERMAN T. ALLEN.

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