US2167352A - Table marble game - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1939. F. w. FALCK TABLE MARBLE GAME Filed Sept. 26, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 jvy s/vwe R02 WFZzc/r July 25, 1939. F. w. FALCK TABLE MARBLE GAME Filed Sept. 26, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR. fie/rz M54105 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mam: 2 2 125 102,648

14 Claims.

My present invention relates to atable marble or ball game.

One of the principal objectsof this invention is to provide a. structure. of this gclassembodied 5 in a racing or competitive game whicnmay be played by one person.

Another important object of this invent on is the provision of a novel combination-ofmeans for selection of a particular field, class, color, .or

: the like, and means for making certainnplaysor goals corresponding with each .of the latter, and also means for registering such plays or goals.

A further object of this invention is the 11 .19- vision of novel means of recordin a -score .-or

514i? goal and of compounding .the score.

A still further important object is to provide novel means of registering all plays ongoalsof a particular nature irrespective of theselectlon.

Still another object. is the provision of such means which will permit an unlimitednllmber of plays until the game is concluded-by .a predetermined number of plays or score .of-apartieular nature. I

Also, an important object isqthe provision of 25 means which will automatically shut off orcontrol the mechanism, when the game is finished or won, so that no more ballsmay he obtained, or no more plays registered.

A further object of this invention is the pm- 130 vision of a game structure of this class which is relatively simple, economical and durable ofv construction, and foolproof and positive inoperation.

With these and other objects in view; as will appear hereinafter, I have deviseda game struc- 35 ture of this class having certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to'the 40 accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form apart of this ap: plication, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view of mytable marble game in a preferred form, showing particularly the '45 game board; i

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of the game, show ing only the essential elements thereof; and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of game, taken-through 3,.:1 of

50 Fig. 1.

My e t re il u r ed in the drawings, is built in table form and at its, upper Side a game board, i lined dow wardly towards the on of e o d. and. com rises a lower 55 nd a. .1 .34 may fiel es gnated respectively green, or red colors.

jPO itethe registering means, is an alley or chan- 5 nel..2 for directing game members to the main or playing field 2|, and having a lateral branch 2 -;for.directing a game member to the selector field I-l. The game members, herein referred to, areballsB which are received from below'the 9 board land projected into the alley or itsbranch by a spring actuated plunger 4'. At the juncture of. the mainv alley or channel 2 and its branch v2%..is algate 5, pivoted-on the spindle 5 which is operated by mechanism presently to be described, 115 and which, when extended angularly across the main-channel, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, direct'a ball into the selector field, and will then be closed over the branch channel 2*, as will .be hereinafter described.

At the. lower portion-of the board comprising the selector field are a plurality of holes l2, l3, and [-5, the portions around these holes being differently characterized, such as by blue, yellow,

The first ball played will 2. be the selector ball, and is propelled into the .angularly directed branch channel '2, which will be .open, and is then directed toward the top of the selector field. .By any means now commonly employed, the ball is directed and deflected from 39 placeto place until it finds a pocket in which one of the holes l2, l3, [4 or I5 is located. The dropping of the ball in one of these holes actuates a. switch 59, and by suitable electric means, releases a cam or rocker 52 and closes or allows to be closed the gate 5, as will be described more specifically hereafter.

The pper portion of the board, comprising the main or playing field 2|, is provided with a pluralityof series 22 23, 24 and 25 of holes or goals, the holes orgoals in each series being designated a, b, and c. the goals in series 22 are designated 2 1 nd. 2-

The upper end of the channel 2 merges into upper curved end 2| of the playing field for directing. thejball on to the field. The playing field 2| has a multiplicity of different devices 26, 21, 25!, and .29, and the. like,'as now commonly employed, for directing and deflecting the balls 1?)? various circuitous and zig-zag routes toward into the several pockets, holes, or goals.

The registering means illustrated consists of a number of fore and aft, or inclined rows I of frosted glass covered illuminated chambers, herein referred to. as registering lights or registering devices. There is provided one row of registering lights for each of the holes I2, 83, i4 and I5, and for the corresponding series of goals 22, 23, 24, and 25 in the playing field. These rows are designated 32, 33, 34, and 35, each row, as illustrated, consisting of eight lights, those in row 32 being designated 32 32 32 32 32 3%, 32 32 The lower lights in each row, namely 32 33 34 and 35 correspond to the holes I2, I3, I4 and I5, and when the first ball played drops into one of said holes the corresponding light is lighted, thereby visually registering the class or color selected.

the different series have different values; that is, in the specific structure shown, a ball dropping into one of the lowermost holes 22 23*, etc'., of each series will illuminate only one light in the corresponding series in the registering means; balls dropping into the holes 22 23 etc., will consecutively light two lights in the corresponding series of the registering means; and balls dropping into holes 22 23, etc., will consecutively light three lights in the corresponding series of the registering means. The value of each hole or goal is preferably indicated, as shown. Only one light in each series of the registering means remains lighted. This shows at a glance on the registering means, the value or score in each series of goals or holes 22, 23, 24 or 25. j

The game is successfully completed or won if all the lights in the same row, corresponding to the illuminated selector light 32 33 34 or 35 have been lighted. That is, when a' selector light is illuminated, the object of the succeeding plays is to light all the lights in the same row.

At the upper end of the playing field, is a hole 4| which registers on a counter 42 the odds which are conceded or paid to the player upon successful completion or winning of a game. The odds are increased by balls dropping into hole 4 I.

The several mechanisms for controlling registering means 3|, counter 42, and other apparatus of my game, by the droppingof balls into the several pockets or holes referred'to aboveQis best illustrated in the wiring diagram of Fig. 2, and may be best disclosed by describing in detail the several parts of the game together with the operation of the mechanisms, i

I employ preferably two sources of electricity, the one designated 46 representing'a battery for actuating the relays, and the like, and the other designated 41 being a generator for illuminating the signal lights. a i I i The switch 48, which maybe considered the main switch, is closed by a coin in any manner commonly employed. This switch may be said to shufiie or prepare the apparatus for playing a new game. This switch energizes a starting coil 49, through the circuits 5i) and 5|, drawing itsarmature 49 and rotating the cams 52, "53, and 54 which are then held in their shiftedor rotated positions by dogs in the form of armaturs 52 53 and 54 respectively, 'I'l1e armature49 is immediately returned to its inoperative'position, but, by reason of the particular sliding rod connection with the cams 52, 53, and 54, thec'ains remain intheir'shifted positions;

The cam 55'oper'ate's a multiple switch 55-for so connecting the battery 46'to the coils 52 253 and 54 respectively for the armatures 52 53 and 54 that they are ready to be energized, as will be hereinafter described. This cam 53 also connects lights in the registering means so as to illuminate the same when a ball drops into any of the holes 22, 23, 24, or 25. As soon as the cams 52, 53, and 54 are rotated, the circuit of the coil 49 is broken by the switch 56 which is actuated by the cam 54.

The cam 52-is mounted on the spindle 5 in 'Sucha manner that when the coil 49 is energized cam 52 is rotated and the gate 5 shifted to its dotted line position in Fig. 1 and so held by the The electrical hook-up is so arranged thatthe, projection of a. ball into any of the holes 'in each series on the main field 2! is registeredybythe lights in the corresponding, series orrow of lights I: in the registering means. The mechanism is"- further so arranged that the different holes in armature52 *A'gate 5 1 which is opened by a cam 53 (mentioned hereinafter, the connection not being shown) allows a ball 3 to be carried by a member or plunger 58so as toroll in front of the spring actuated plunger 4, by which the ball may be projected to the playing field as stated. As the ball is projected, the gate 5 deflects the ball into the lateral branch 2 of the alley from which it rolls by gravity into-one of the holes 12, I3, I4, and !5. At the underside of the game board, immediately below each hole, is a multiple finger switch 59 which is closed by the dropping of the ballthereon, the ball being retained on the switch by retractable fingers 60. These fingers are operatively connected (the means not being shown), with the mechanism which forces the new coin into operative position for playing a new game, so that the ball in one of the holes drops or is discharged only when the coin mechanism is operated for forcing a new coin into operative position; and when the ball drops into one of the holes l2, I3, I4, or l5, it is held therein, closing the switch 59, until a new game is begun.

The dropping of -a ball into one of the above holes performs two functions, namely, it shifts the gate 5, to the solid line or closed position (shown in Fig. 1), and illuminates one of the selection lights 32*, 33 34 or 35 in the registering means, that is, the light corresponding to the selection 'hole into which the ball has dropped; The'first function is performed by energizin'g the coil 52 which'attracts the armature and permits the cam and the gate 5 to be rotated by a spring 52. The latter function is performed by connecting the particular signal light to the generator circuit.

The circuit to the coil 52 is broken when the gate is closed, by opening a switch GI to the coil. The switches 59 consist of resilient fingers which spring into non-contacting positions when the ball is released mechanically by the retaining fingers 60. When the ball is released, or permitted to drop, when starting a new game, as described above, the gate 5 is also shifted to the dotted line position in Fig.1.

When the gate 5 is closed, as shown by solid lines, the subsequent balls are projected through the main portion of the alley or channel onto the main playing field 2|, and each drops into one of the holes in any of'the series 22, 23, 24, or 25 and illuminates the light or lights in the corresponding series'or row of the registering means. Such result is efi'ected by the following mechamsm: i

- Below each of the latter holes is a spring switch, the switches below the holes in each series being designated 69 GQ and 6 9 Theswitches foreach series are arranged in a trough or channel TB which"is'preferably inclined downwardly from the uppermost holes'to the lowermost, for example, from hole 22 to 22 Thus when a ball drops into any of the holes 22%. 23 24 or 25 it rolls down the channel and engages or operates only switch 69 in the particular channel, while .a ball dropping into any of the holes 22 23 24*, or 25", will roll down the channel and operate switches 69 and 69 in such channel. In like manner a ball dropping into any of the holes 22, 23, 24, or 25, will roll down the channel and operate all three switches in such channel. All of the aforementioned switches for each series of holes are connected to a counter coil H which, when energized, shifts an armature H which is operatively connected to the contact arm of a multiple contact counter switch, there being one' of such multiple switches for each series of holes and the corresponding row of lights in the registering means, these switches being designated 12, 13, M, and 15. Said multiple contact counter switches 12, l3, l4, and 15 are connected respectively to the lights in the rows 32, 33, 34, and 35. Each counter switch is provided with as many stationary contacts as there are signal lights in each row of the registering means, excepting that there is provided an additional light in each row which is used as a selection light. The stationary contacts in the counter switch 12 are designated 12 12, 12 12 12 12 and 12 and are connected respectively to the lights 32 32, 32 32 32 32 and 32 in the row 32.

In this instance, it is assumed that the ball is dropped into the yellow selection hole I 3, as shown in Fig. 1. The playing or operation of the remaining part of the game is briefly as follows:

Balls are projected to the playing field 2| and they drop singly and consecutively intoany of the various holes 4|, 22 22 22, 23 23 etc. A ball dropping any time, before the game is completed, into the hole 4!, will raise the odds by operating the counter 42. Assuming that the balls have dropped into the various holes so that the lights 32 33 M and 35 of the registering device are illuminated, as shown in Fig. 1, and then the next ball drops into either of the holes 24* or 24, the lights in the row 34 will pass to 34 that is, light 34 will be extinguished, 34 will be illuminated and extinguished, and then 34 will be illuminated. The illumination of any of the lights in the lower transverse row, consisting of 32 33 34 and 35 indicates completion of the game.

On each of the multiple contact counter switches is an additional or eighth contact'12 13 14 and I5 which may be in radial alignment with the contacts 12 13 14 and 15 so that when one of the latter contacts is engaged by the respective rotating contact arms 12 13 M or '15 the corresponding contact 12 13 H or 15 will also be contacted.

The circuit completed by any of the latter contacts will energize the coil 54 which will attract its armature 54 close the switch 16, complete the circuit through the line 71, energize the coil 53 attract its armature 53 allow the cam 53 to be returned to its normal position by the spring 53 and break the connection made by the multiple switch 55, thus deenergizing the magnetic circuit. The cam 53, when returning to its normal position will close the ball feeding gate 51, that is, stop the supply of more balls when the game is finished.

The lights of the registering means will remain lighted, until manually shut ofi, or by any other means desired (not shown). When the light circuit is shut off the multiple contact counter switches are returned to their initial positions; or this may be done by the starting coil 49 when the game is started, or, as commonly referred to, when the game is shuffled to begin anew. Such mechanism being of conventional construction, it is not here shown.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, portions, and elements, I do not wish to be limited to the same, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a plurality of series of goals, a plurality of series of registering means, one series for each series of goals, each series of registering means comprising a plurality of consecutively arranged and operated signalling devices so connected to the goals in the corresponding series of goals as to register consecutively the making of a goal in the latter series, means for feeding and directing game members to said field of play, and means in operative association with the latter means and each of the series of registering means for rendering said latter means inoperative when all of the signalling devices in one series of the latter are operated.

2. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a plurality of series of goals, a plurality of series of registering means, one series for each series of goals, each series of registering means comprising a plurality of consecutively arranged and operated signalling devices so connected to the goals in the corresponding series of goals as to register consecutively the making of a goal in the latter series, a source of electric energy for actuating said signalling devices, and switch means in operative connection with the last of the consecutively arranged signalling devices of each series for disconnecting said electric current when the last of the signalling devices of any series is operated.

3. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a series of goals, a series of registering devices so connected to the goals as to operate the registering devices consecutively upon the making of goals in said series, means for feeding and directing game members to said field of play so they may make said goals, and means in operative association with the latter means and said registering devices for rendering said latter means inoperative when all of the registering devices are operated.

4. In a game of the class described, a field of play having a plurality of series of goals, a plurality of series of registering devices, each series cooperating with a series of goals and so connected to the goals as to operate the registering devices consecutively upon the making of goals in said series, means for feeding and directing game members to said field of play so they may make said goals, and means in operative association with the latter means and said registering devices for rendering said latter means inoperative when all of the registering devices of one series thereof are operated.

FRITZ W. FALCK.

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