US2221645A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov; 12,-1940. J; c A R 2,221,645 r GAME AAAAAAA US Filed Feb. 17, 1936 9 S heets-Sheet 1 2 Nov. 12,- 1940. McMASTER 2,221,645

GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 S heets-Sheet 3 J. M MASTER GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1936 v/ Alb Nov. 12, 1940. A, J MCM'ASTE 2,221,645

1 4 GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17; 1936 9 "SheetsSheet 4 Nov. 12, 1940 A. J. MMASTER GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 GAME APPARATI'JS Filed Feb. 17, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 A. J. M MASTER GAME APPARATUS Nov. 12, 1940.

Filed Feb. 1'7, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Wax/a7 KMZ/JW NOV. 12, 1940. McMASTER 2,221,645

GAME APPARATUS- Filed Feb. 17, 1936 .9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 12, 1940. v McMASTER 2,221,645

GAME APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17, 1936 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 ia/x/ A,

Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNETED STATES GAME APPARATUS Archie J.- McMaster, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to G-M Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application February 17, 1936, Serial No. 64,235

6 Ciaims.

The present invention relates generally to games for the amusement of the players and to apparatus therefor. It relates, also, to coin controlled amusement and vending apparatus.

The present invention concerns a new, novel and entertaining game to be played with coins, checks or. tokens having distinguishing numbers, dates, legends or symbols thereon and with apparatus for selecting at random some particular identifying character; the object of the game being to deliberately select a coin, check or token having the same identifying character as is selected at random by the machine whereby to match the coin check or token with the selection of the machine.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved game and apparatus for playing the same.

A further object consists in providing improved means by which a player for the purpose of playing the game conveniently, easily, deliberately and overtly may indicate his guess or prediction as to what selection will be made by the random operation of the machine.

A further obect is the provision of an improved coin controlled game apparatus and of an improved vending and amusement device.

A further object is the provision of improved game apparatus for receiving a coin check or token and displaying its identifying character to the view of the player, and for making a random selection of one identifying character from a number thereof and displaying the same for comparison with that of the coin, check or token.

A further object is the provision of means for illuminating the machine while the same is in use to aid and improve the View thereof by the player.

A further object is the provision of means controlled by the player himself for illuminating the displays and for removing the coin, check or token from view after its inspection by the player and comparison with the random selection made by the machine itself to determine whether or not the matching of the two has been accomplished.

These and other objects and advantages of my present invention will appear as the description proceeds.

My present invention in one embodiment thereof, comprises a wheel adapted to be spun and then to be stopped at random in one of a number of ,pre-determined rotated positions. In each of the positions in which the wheel may 55 stop, it exposes to view and indicates to the player a character which includes the number of some year such as for example the number 936. The players prediction of the random selection to be made by the wheel is indicated by the date on the coin which he has inserted into the machine.

It, also, includes mechanism for spinning said wheel and for bringing it to a registered stop. It further includes coin controlled mechanism which permits the wheel to be spun only when a coin has been inserted in the machine. Confections or the like, also, are dispensed under control of the coin mechanism.

The apparatus of my present invention ineludes, also, improved means for exposing the 15 identifying character of the check, token or coin to the view of the player, such as, for example, a magnifying glass for enlarging the appearance of the check or token and a battery operated electric light for illuminating the same, said light being controlled by a switch operated as an incident of the players operation of the apparatus.

The apparatus of my present invention further provides means for placing the token, check or coin in close proximity to the indicator or display element of the apparatus itself so as to permit comparison of the two to be made ata glance.

Preferably the power required for operating this mechanism of my improved apparatus is furnished mechanically by the player himself by actuating a lever or the like, although self contained mechanical or electrical actuators controlled by the player, also, are contemplated.

In order to conserve the life of the batteries which operate the light already mentioned, the switch controlling the light preferably is arranged to disconnect the lamp whenever the actuating or control lever occupies its normal position, that is the position which it assumes when released by the player, and to connect the lamp to the battery whenever the lever is moved out of this rest position. Furthermore, according to one aspect of my present invention, the light is turned on by considerably less motion of the operating handle or lever than is required for actuating the spinning indicating and selecting wheel or for performing any other function which may be required of the lever.

This permits the player at all times to illuminate the token or check in the apparatus and, also, the random indicator. of the apparatus, itself, While permitting the light to be left off when not required and when the apparatus is not in use so as to conserve and preserve the battery.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means operated by the lever which serves to advance the checks or tokens which are inserted into the machine from one position to another within the machine itself and to ad- Vance the checks or tokens intoand out of the view of the player. My present invention further contemplates that the movement of the checks or tokens within the machine and the operation of the random indicating wheel all shall be accomplished by the same motion of the operating lever in such manner that the player cannot after making a play actuate one without actuating the other, also.

In order better to acquaint those skilled in the art with the teachings and practice of my present invention, I now shall describe a specific embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. l is a general view in perspective of the exterior of a coin controlled amusement and vending machine embodying my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a general view in perspective of a part of the interior mechanism of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is another general View in perspective but from a different angle of the same apparatus as is shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of an electric circuit.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the device of Fig. 1 looking toward the left in Fig. 1 so as to provide a general view of a portion of the interior of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1 looking toward the right in Fig. 1 and showing in section the apparatus for delivering to the purchaser the article vended by the machine.

Fig. 7 is a section taken along the line l'l of Fig. 6 in the direction indicated by the arrows so as to view the apparatus from above.

Fig. 8 is a section through the coin apparatus in which the parts are shown in their normal position. It is a section taken along the line 8 8 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 8 but showing the parts in a different operated position. It is a section taken along the line Ei-9 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line lt-!ll of Fig. 8, showing the parts in the same positions as they occupy in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a section taken along the line i l--! i of Fig. 9, showing the parts in the same positions as they occupy in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a section taken along the line i2-i2 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of a portion of the mechanism shown in perspective in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 14 is a section taken along the line i i-l4 of Fig. 13.

The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a decorative metal enclosing case comprising a pair of end panels H and I2 and a formed metal sleeve I3. Mounted on top of the enclosing case and secured to the sleeve [3 thereof is a casting I i having a hollow therein adapted to receive a check, token, coin or the like. At the bottom of the hollow of the casting HP. is a slot l5 in the sleeve l3 through which the coin or check may fall into the interior of the enclosing case. J ournaled in the end plate I2 is a handle or lever l8 adapted to be depressed by the player or ur chaser after the insertion of his check, token or coin to operate the machine. Operation of the machine by means of the handle l8 causes the coin to appear in view behind a lens H. The same operation of the machine, also, causes the machine to make a random selection which is indicated at an opening !9 through which the player may view or read the indication which the machine gives to reveal its own random selection. The purchaser obtains his confection or other vended article by pressing a plunger i9 which causes the purchased article to be delivered into a pocket 20 at the front of the inclosing case from which he may take it.

The space immediately surrounding the opening IS in the sleeve I3 is inclosed by a decorative frame 2! which is adapted to receive a name plate or a card of instructions or other descriptive matter. A key-lock, the key-hole of which is shown at 23, is provided for locking the machine in its assembled condition.

By unlocking the key-lock the mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3, including the end plate l2, may be separated from the rest of the apparatus by withdrawing it from the sleeve l3. The unit assembly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 includes the entire mechanism except the vending apparatus which remains with the end plate H and sleeve I3. The key-lock is shown at 25 in Fig. 3. The element with which the lock 25 engages is attached to the sleeve l3 and is not shown.

As best may be seen in Figs. 3 and 5, the lever 18 of Fig. 1 is secured to a shaft 2'5 which in turn carries a lever 28 which actuates a wheel 30 through a spring snap mechanism and an overrunning clutch mechanism. The snap mechanism and the details of its construction and operation are more completely described in the copending application of Karl E. Sommermeyer, Ser. No. 62,165, filed Feb. 3, 1936. The overrunning clutch mechanism and the wheel 30 are carried on a fixed shaft 3! and the driving member 5! of the over-running clutch mechanism includes an arm 32 which turns about the shaft 3!. The lever 28 in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 5, stops against the hub of the arm 32 and in another position it stops against the bottom of the inclosing case. The arm 32 carries a pin Mi having a head 4! which is adapted to engage a pair of bosses 35 and 36 shown in section in Fig. 5 which project from the end plate l2 as shown in Fig. 3 and act as stops for the arm 32. The arm 28 has pivoted thereto at a pin 3'1, a cross piece or spreader 38. A spreader 39, also, is pivoted to the arm 32 by means of the pin 88; and a pair of springs 43 and M are tensioned between these spreaders. The levers and 32 together with the springs 43 and m and their spreaders 38 and 39 constitute the snap mechanism. The use of the two springs 43 and 4 with the two spreaders 38 and 39 serves to permit the line of action of the springs, which passes through pins 3? and 40, to cross the axis of shaft 3i Without requiring the shaft to be severed to permit a spring to pass therethrough. The spreader 39, also, constitutes a part of a latch mechanism for preventing operation of the wheel 38 when no coin has been inserted in the machine; and for that purpose it is provided with a notch 45 near its upper end which engages a latch piece 46. The operation of this latch will be explained presently.

The snap mechanism operates as follows: The

Springs 43 and 44 normauy hold the levers 32 and 28 in the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 5. When the lever I8 (see Figs. 1 and 2) is depressed, it rotates the shaft 21' in a counterclock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 causing the lever 28 to move down through an are such as to increase the distance between the pins 3'! and 46 so as to increase the tension of the springs 43 and 46. As the pin 3'! moves down, the line of action of the springs, that is, the line between the pins 3'! and 46, crosses the axis of the shaft 3| so that the springs tend to rotate the lever or arm 32 in a clock-wise direction about the shaft 3|. The arm 32 thereupon rotates with a snap action until it stops against the boss 36. Because of the particular location of the boss 36 with respect to the levers 2B and 32, the line of action of the springs never crosses the axis of the shaft 21. Therefore, the springs continue to urge the lever 26 toward the position shown in Fig. 5. When the lever 28 is permitted to return to that position, the line between the pins 31 and 46 again crossesthe axis of the shaft 3| causing the arm 32 to snap back to the position shown in Fig. 5 where it stops against the boss 35. The foregoing description of the operation of the snap mechanism assumes that the coin controlled latch including the latch piece 66 previously referred to, was disengaged. If no coin were inserted in the machine, the spreader 39 would be caught by the latch piece 46 so as to prevent the arm 32 from moving out of the 7 position shown in Fig. 5.

The construction of the over-running clutch mechanism and its driving connection with the wheel 36, as well as the mechanism for bringing the wheel to a registered random stop, is more completely described in the co-pending application of Walter Van Guilder, Ser. No. 62,164, filed Feb. 3, 1936.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 13 and 14, the overrunning clutch mechanism includes the housing 5| which constitutes the driving member of the clutch and which includes the arm 32 already referred to. A driven member of the clutch 52 comprises a plate portion 53 and a bushing portion 54. The plate portion 53 is adapted to make driving engagement with the driving member 5| by means of a pair of steel balls 55 when the arm 32 rotates in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 5. When the arm 32 rotates in a counterclock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 the balls 55 act to release the driving engagement. The wheel 36 is mounted on a hub 59 which turns freely on the bushing portion 54 of the driven member 52 of the clutch.

Pivotally secured to the web of the wheel 36 are a pair of weights 66 and 6| which are linked together by means of a tie bar 62 sothat they move together and are always symmetrically disposed with respect to the center of the wheeel 36. The weights 66 and 61 are provided with spring toggles 65 and 66 which serve continually to urge these weights in a direction which brings their centers of gravity near the center of the wheel 36. These spring toggles 65 and 66 are so arranged that when the centers of gravity of the weights 66 and 6| are at their maximum distances from the center of the wheel 36 (in which position the weights bear against the inner surface of the rim of the wheel 36), the toggles 65 and 66 exert a comparatively small effort on the weights 66 and 61 so that a comparatively slight centrifugal force will be sufficient to hold them in that position against the force of the spring toggles. 'I'heweight 66 carries a dog 61 which is adapted to engage teeth 68 on the periphery of a wheel 69 secured to the shaft 3| in such a manner as to prevent rotation thereon.

The dog 61 normally is held in engagement 5 with the wheel 69 by the spring toggles 65 and 66.

The wheel 36 carries on its periphery a series of numbers or characters which constitute the numbers of years. Each one of the characters corresponds to one of the notches 68 of the 10 notched member 69, and each of the notches 66, when the dog 61 is seated therein brings one of the characters squarely into register in the center of the opening 13 in the panel 12 (see Fig. 2) where it may be viewed through the opening 15 or window l9 in the sleeve l3 of the enclosing case (see Fig. 1).

The driven member 52 of the over-running clutch mechanism carries a pin 16 which extends through a clearance hole in the web of the wheel 36 to engage a hole in the center of the tie bar 62. This pin 16 is the only driving connection between the member 52 of the over-running clutch and the wheel 36.

When the arm 32 of the over-running clutch snaps in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 in the manner already described, it drives the member 52 of the clutch with it, which in turn through the pin 16 drives against the tie bar 62 tending to rotate it about the shaft 3| in a counterclock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 13. The driving force exerted on the tie bar 62 is resisted by the inertia of the wheel 36 so that the initial driving action disengages the dog 61 from the notched member 69 and moves the weights 35 66 and 6! out against the rim of the wheel 36. The wheel 36 is accelerated from the very beginning of the motion of the arm 32 and continues to accelerate until the arm 32 stops against the boss 36 (see Fig. 5). As soon as the arm 32 and the driving member 51 of the clutch stop, the balls 55 thereof release the member 52 so that the member 52 together with the wheel 36 continue to rotate. The rotation is retarded only by friction and after a time, the wheel decelerates to such a speed that centrifugal force no longer holds the weights 66 and 6! out against the rim of the wheel 36. Thereupon the spring toggles 65 and 66 bring the dog 61 sharply into engagement with the teeth 68 of the member 69 so that the dog 6! clicks over the notches and quickly brings the wheel to a stop. The dog 6! seats itself into one of the notches 68 so as to bring the wheel 36 to a stop accurately registered in a position corresponding to one of the notches 68. This brings one of the numbers which constitute the design on the periphery of the wheel 36 into register in the center of an opening 13 (shown in Fig. 2) in the panel 12.

The mechanism just described cooperates with certain coin controlled mechanism which receives and handles the coins and controls the latch piece 46. This latter mechanism is more fully described in the copending application of Walter Van Guilder and Karl H. Sommermeyer Ser. No. 67,842, filed March 9, 1936.

The panel l2 has secured thereto near the top thereof a metal channel piece 15 which co-operates therewith to form a groove or channel for a pair of coin detecting slides 11 and 18 (see Figs. 70 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12). Of these, slide 11 has a pin 19 extending through a slot in the channel 15 for engagement with slotted arm 86 which drives it (see, also, Fig. 3).

Referring to Fig. 3, a lever 92secured to the shaft 2'! rotates therewith. A link 93 connects this lever 92 with another lever 94 which is carried on a pivot having the same axis as the lever 80. The link 93 has a slotted connection with the lever 9'3 so as to permit a certain amount of motion of the hand lever I8 and the shaft 21 to take place before the coin mechanism begins to operate. A projection 95 of the lever 94 engages the lever 8i] to drive the same.

The arrangement of the cam 95 with respect to the lever ii!) is such that the cam 85 drives the lever 80 only in one direction. That is, when the lever I8 (Fig. 1) is depressed, the lever 80 and the slide Tl are driven toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3, and towards the right as viewed in Figs. 8, 9 and 12. A spring BI attached to the lever 80 provides the effort for the return motion of the slide TI. This spring, also, normally retains the slide ll in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 8 and 12. The slide 'I'I lies behind an opening in the panel (see Figs. 3 and 12 adapted to receive coins from the opening I5 in the sleeve I3 of the enclosing case (see Fig. 1).

The slide 'Il, also, carries a projection 83 on its forward face. This projection 83, the coin receiving space and the slide l8 are in alignment. The projection 83 is adapted to move towards the right as viewed in Figs. 8, 9 and 12 to crowd the coin against the end of the slide I8 and thereby to drive the slide I8 towards the right as viewed in Figs. 8, 9 and 12. The end of the slide I8 which faces the projection 83 is cut off at an angle and thereby is adapted to engage a coin between it and the projection 83 so as to urge the coin downward into a coin trap 9I, the opening into which is offset toward the right in Figs. 8 and 9 from the opening 86.

The slide E8 normally obstructs the opening from the channel carrying the slides l! and 78 into the coin trap 9i so that a coin must drive the slide '56 to the right (as seen in Figs. 8, 9 and 12) in order to pass into the coin trap 9|. The spacing between the projection 83 of the slide l3 and the left end of the slide I3 as viewed in Fig. 8 is so large and the limits of travel of two slides is such that projection 83 never can engage slide it. Consequently, slide 18 cannot be driven to the right as viewed in Fig. 8 unless a coin is in place as shown in Fig. 8, but will be so driven when a coin is in place.

The extreme right end of the slide It as viewed in Fig. 12, is offset as shown at 8 3 in Fig. 12 to receive a spring 85 and for carrying the latch piece 55. Latch piece it already has been mentioned in connection with the driving mechanism for the wheel 38 and its operation will be described presently. The spring 85 normally holds :ie slide '33 in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 8 and 12, in which position the off-set portion d l stops against the end of the channel piece l5 as may be seen in Fig. 12.

A shaft Iifi carries a curved arm Ill which preferably is formed integrally therewith. A spring l 53 holds the arm H I in firm engagement with a roller H2 carried by the pin 40 of the arm 32. The curvature of the arm III is such that the shaft file executes a counterclock-wise rotation (Fig. 5) when the arm 32 snaps down to spin the wheel til. This shaft III) operates a pin at which works in the coin trap BI, a catch 5 2B for the lever 88, and a lever I45 for controlling the confection dispensing mechanism.

Depending from the coin trap 91 is a hinged chute ml which is adapted to guide a coin into position behind an opening I02 in the panel 12 where it is supported upon projections I03 and I534 and where it may be viewed by the player. This chute IIlI carries a pair of arms I05 and 536 which are adapted to be engaged by the arm 89 carrying the pin 95 and by the cam 95 of the lever 95 respectively for closing the chute IIII by holding it against the panel I2 so as to retain the coin in view in the opening I02. When the apparatus is in its normal position as shown in Figs. 3 and 10, the cam 95 of the lever 94 engages arm I85 to hold the chute IUI closed. A spring it? tends to hold the chute IllI away from the panel l2 so as to permit the coin to escape therefrom.

The pin 90 which is carried by the shaft III] and the arm 89, normally extends into the coin trap 9i to obstruct the passage of coins therethrough; and it is adapted to be withdrawn from the coin trap to permit free passage of coins when the arm 32 of the snap mechanism snaps down to spin the wheel 30. When the arm 89 withdraws the pin 99 f'romthe coin trap 9I, it engages the arm m5 to close the chute WI.

The catch I23 is adapted to block the return motion of the arm all and the slide ll when the arm 32 is in its down position and resting against the boss 36.

The latch already referred to, which restrains the motion .of the snap mechanism which drives the wheel it consists of the latch piece 46 carried by the slide ll of the spreader 39. As may be seen in Fig. 5, the points of fastening of the springs 43 and M to the spreader 38 do not lie on a straight line through the pin 31, but rather lie on a line passing to the right of pin 3] as seen in Fig. 5. That is, it passes between the pins ST and ll). Similarly the points of fastening of the same springs to the spreader 39lie on a line which passes between the pin 40- and pin 31. This arrangement causes the springs 43 and 4.4 to tend always to hold the spreaders 38 and 39 in positions substantially perpendicular to the line through the pivots 31 and 40. Consequently, when the lever 28 carries the pivot 31 down, the spreader 39 tends to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 about its pivot ill but is prevented from doing so by its engagement with the latch piece it. In this position, the spreader 39 is hooked over the latch piece It so as to prevent the arm 32 of the over-running clutch from moving away from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 5.

This mechanism for handling and detecting the presence of the coin or similar piece and for locking the snap mechanism, operates as follows: Assume thatv a coin has been inserted through the opening. 815 so that it lies between the end of the. slide 78' and the projection Men the slide 'I'I in the channel formed by the piece I5. When the hand lever I8 is depressed the arm 28 moves downward to tension the springs 43 and M; and the arm 9 also, moves downward to move the slider ll toward the right in Fig. 8. As the slider l7 moves toward the right in Fig. 8,.its projection 83 moves the coin towards the right until the coin engages the end of the slider I8. Continued motion of the arm I8 moves the slider I8 towards the right (as seen in Fig. 8), so as to move the latch piece 46 towards the left as viewed in Fig. 3 so that it slips out of the notch of the spreader 39. This immediately releases the spreader 39 and permits it to assume a position perpendicular to the line through the pivots 31. and 40. Inasmuch as at the time this takes place, the

pivot 31 will be much lower than itis'shown in Fig. 5, this causes the spreader 39 to rotate counterclock-wise as viewed in Fig. 5. At about this same time, or slightly later, the slide 'I'I moves the. coin over the opening into the coin trap 9| whereupon the coin is forced into the trap 9| by the slider I8 and its spring 85. This causes the latch piece 43 to move towards the right as viewed in Fig. 3 so that it stops against the side of the spreader 39. However, inasmuch as the spreader already has rotated counterclock-wise from the normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 5, the latch piece 46 does not re-enter the notch of the spreader 39.

If new the handle I8 is released, the arm 28 will carry the pivot 31 back to the position of Fig. 5 but the spreader 39 will be unable to assume the position shown for it in Fig. 5 because it will be prevented from rotating to that position by the projection 41 of the latch piece 46. In this condition of the apparatus, the coin rests on the pin in the coin trap 9!, and the operation of the snap mechanism which drives the wheel 30 is no longer blocked. In other words, the operation of the handle I8 sufficient to bring the coin into the coin trap 9| has unlocked the snap mechanism. The release of the handle I8 at this point does not interfere with the correct operation of the machine. If the handle I8 now is carried to its extreme low position the snap mechanism will move the arm 32 from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 5 down to a position in which it rests against the boss 36. This sets the wheel 30 into motion in the manner which already has been described, and it rotates the shaft H0 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 due to the engagement with the curved arm III of the roller carried by the arm 32. This motion of the shaft IIO withdraws the pin 90 from the coin trap 9| so as to permit the coin to fall into the chute IOI. The pin 90, as it is withdrawn, engages the extension I05 of the chute ml and moves the same against the panel 12 so that the coin released by the pin 90 is caught on the projections I03 and I04 and held in the opening 13 where it may be viewed by the player.

The rotation of the shaft I I0, also, has brought the catch I20 (see Figs. 10 and 11) into engagement with the lever 80 so as to prevent the return of the slide 11 (see Fig. 8) towards the left. This operation of the shaft I II], also, has lifted a catch H6 to operate the vending mechanism in a manner which will be described more in detail presently.

When the handle I8 (and with it the lever 28) is permitted to return towards normal position, it moves the lever 94 back toward the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, but the lever 80 is held temporarily in its operated position by the latch I20. The return motion of the lever 94 towards its normal position brings the cam into engagement with the projection I06 of the chute IM to hold this chute closed to retain the coin in view in the opening I02. As the arm 28 approaches its normal position which is shown in Fig. 5, the arm 32snaps back to the position shown in Fig. 5 and in so doing permits the arm III to return to its normal position, also, shown in Fig. 5 so as to release the catch I20 which is holding lever 80. This permits the slide TI to return to its normal position. This action of the latch I20 and slide 'I'I serves to prevent a second coin from being inserted without again spinning the wheel 30,

' The spreader 39 just prior to the return of the arm 32 to its normal position is rotated slightly in a clock-wise direction from the position shown in Fig. 5 due to the action of the springs 43 and M already described. As the arm 32 returns to its normal position it carries the spreader 39 with it and the spreader 39 rotates counterclock-.

wise as it rises with the arm 32. Consequently the left edge of the spreader 39 (the edge having the notch) is brought into engagement with the end of the latch piece 66 and as the arm 32 comes to rest, the notch in the spreader 39 slips over the latch piece MB.

This leaves the apparatus again in its normal position with the coin in view behind the opening I02. If now the arm I8 is depressed with or without the insertion of an additional coin the initial motion of the lever 94 causes the cam 95 to release the chute IIII so that the coin may drop therefrom into a coin pan I22 located below it.

On the front of the panel I2 is an electric lamp I25 so located that it will illuminate both the coin on display in the opening I 02 and the numbers on the periphery of the wheel 39 which are in view through the opening l0. One terminal of this lamp is grounded to the metal of the panel I2. The other terminal carries a wire which runs to one terminal of the dry cell battery I26. Av

wire extends from the other terminal of the battery I26 to one terminal of a switch I2I which is adapted to be operated by a cam I23 carried by the shaft 27. The other terminal of the switch is grounded to the apparatus. The switch I2'I is normally open so that the lamp is de-energized when the apparatus is in the normal position in which it is shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The cam I28 is arranged to close the contacts I 2? in response to the initial motion of the hand lever I6 from its normal position and to keep the contact I2? closed until the handle again returns to its normal position. The slot in the link 93 permits this initial motion to be made for turning on the light without operating the lever 99 to discharge the coin from its display position within the opening I02. The circuit connections for the lamp are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4.

The mechanism for delivering the confection or other article to the purchaser is illustrated best in Figs. 6 and 7. A partition I3I serves to form a hopper for the storage of confection or the like in the left end of the apparatus asviewed in Fig. 1. Preferably the confection is in the form of balls to permit it to be handled easily by simple equipment. Located below the hopper is a casting I32 which has a passage opening into the bottom of the hopper near the rear portion thereof and which is of such size as to conduct balls from the hopper in single file as shown in the sectional View of Fig. 7. The balls within the passage of the casting I32, rest upon a plate I33 which slides on pins or rivets I34. A spring I35 holds this plate normally forward. In the position in which it is shown in the drawings, the plate I33 is in its extreme forward position so as to bring an extruded hole I3! therein in register with the curved forward end of the passageway in the casting I32 (see Fig. 7). In this position, a ball may enter the opening I31 and rest on a projection or stop I38 with its top surface approximately level with the top surface of the plate I33. With the apparatus in this condition, the purchaser may press the plunger I9 which moves the plate I33 back so thatthe ball I39 drops off the projection I 38 and is delivered in the delivery spout 23. As the plate I33 is pushed back, the catch I I6 already described falls into position to engage a projection I42 of the plate 133 so as to retain the plate in that position. In this position, the opening I37 in the plate I33 is out of register wtih the passage-way within the casting I32 so that another ball may not enter the same.

A subsequent operation of the apparatus including the insertion of a coin and the operation of the lever I3 to again actuate the shaft IIO, will again cause the catch M6 to rise so as to release the plate I33 and allow it to move under the action of the spring I35 to its forward position where another ball will fall into the opening I37 ready to be delivered when the plunger H9 is pressed.

The arm M5 of the shaft H0 does not directly lift the catch IIIS since if it did so it would prevent the catch I it from holding the plate 33 if the plunger should be pressed with the handle I8 held in its depressed position. The arm I 55 loosely carries a weight Hi3 which is of such di mension that the arm may not drive the catch IIS therethrough. The weight I43 is adapted to be thrown up by the arm I 15 so that it strikes against the catch IIG causing the catch M3 to rise and disengage the projection I 22 of the plate I33. The plate I33 immediately snaps to the right (See Fig. 6) under force of the spring I35 and the catch IIG drops and rests on the projection I 82 as shown, ready again to latch the plate I33 when it is forced back by the plunger In order to prevent the machine from receiving coins after the supply of confections is exhausted from the hopper, a wire feeler I51 extends through the partition I3I into the passage-Way in the casting I32, and extends over the opening in the plate I33. A cam. I 50 riveted to the plate I33 is adapted to lift the wire feeler I5! up to the top of the passage-way when the plate I33 is in its forward position as shown in Fig. 6 so as not to obstruct the movement of the balls. When the plunger I9 is pressed in to move the plate I33 back so as to deliver one of the balls, the cam I50 leaves the wire feeler I5I and permits it to fall. If any balls remain in the passage-way in the casting I32 the wire I5I rests on them, but if no balls are in the passage-way the wire I5I drops until it rests on the cam I53. The wire IEI when in this position, lies lower in the passage-way than it does when resting on the balls. The wire IEI is carried on a pivot I55 having a horizontal axis and mounted on the partition I3I. The wire I5I has rigidly attached thereto an arm I52 which extends back and upward and carries at its upper end a sheet metal flag I53, which is pivoted thereto. This metal flag I53 is adapted to cover and uncover the coin aperture I5 in the sleeve I3 of the enclosing case (see Fig. 1), and, also, the coin aperture 86 in the panel 12.

This mechanism operates as follows. Assume that the apparatus contains only two balls of confection and that the plate I33 is in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6. One of the two balls will lie in the extruded hole I31 in the plate I33 being supported on the projection I38, and the other ball will rest either on top of the first one or on the surface of plate I33.

Pressing the plunger i 9 moves the plate 533 back to deliver the first ball into the pocket 23, and

engages the .catch 'I'I'B which retains the plate I33 in its back position.

The cam I50 will have released the wire feeler I5I, but the wire I5I will rest on the one remaining ball, which, in turn, rests on the surface of plate I33. Therefore, the flag I53 will leave the coin opening unobstructed.

The insertion of a coin and the operation of the machine by means of handle it releases the catch US so that the plate I33 again moves fori Ward and permits the one remaining ball to drop into the extruded opening in the plate I33 where it rests on the projection I38. The plunger I3 again may be pressed to deliver the last ball into the pocket 29. When the cam I50 releases the wire I5I, as the plate moves back and engages the catch II i, the wire I5I drops to a low position in the passage in the casting I32 and moves the flag I53 over the coin openings 33 and 55 so as to prevent any further coins from being inserted into the machine.

The operation of the complete apparatus is as follows: Assuming that the confection hopper contains a supply of the confection in the form of balls or the like, so that the coin openings are unobstructed, a coin may be inserted into the machine by pressing it into the hollow of the casting I4 from which it drops through the slots I5 and 33 into the space between the end of the slide I8 and the projection 83 carried by the slide 11. The hand lever I8 may be depressed to operate the machine. The initial motion thereof operates the switch I21, turns on the light I25 to illuminate the interior of the machine to aid the view had thereof by the player. As the lever I8 moves downward, the link 33 takes up the slack provided by its slot and then actuates the lever 94.

The cam 95 of the lever 94 moves away from the arm I36 of the chute IIH so as to open the same and permit any coin therein to drop into the coin box I22. Continued motion of the hand lever I8 drives the slide I? to the right (Figs. 8 and 9), and because of the presence of the coin, also, drives the slide I8 toward the right to disengage the latch piece 46 from the slot 45 in the spreader 39 of the snap mechanism. Subsequently, or at about the same time, the coin comes into register with the opening between the channel containing the slides TI and I8 and the coin trap 9I so that it is ejected into the trap ill where it rests on the pin 93. During the entire motion'of the hand lever I8 the springs 43 and 44 have been lengthening and the line of action of the springs (the line through the center of the pins '3? and 30) has been approaching the axis of shaft 3!. Subsequent to the discharge of the coin into the trap 9i the arm 32 of the snap mechanism snaps down to its lower position where it stops against the boss 33, and in so doing sets the wheel 30 into motion in the manner already described.

The arm 32 in moving to its lower position, also, has moved the arm I I I to the right as seen in Fig. 3 so as to perform the following operations: (1) The catch I20 has been brought into position to block the lever 83 so as to prevent the return of the slide TI to its normal position in which it could receive another coin; (2) the arm 89 has withdrawn the pin 90 from the coin. trap SI, and in so doing has engaged the arm I05 of the chute IM to close the chute by moving it against the panel I2. This has permitted the coin to drop into position where it may be viewed easily in the opening I02; (3) the arm I45 has thrown the weight I46 against the catch IIB to lift the same so as to release the plate I33 to permit it to move into its forward position so that the plunger I9 again may be pressed to deliver one of the balls into the pocket 20.

The wheel 30 which has been set into motion by the snap mechanism spins freely and eventually comes to a random stop with the dog 61 carried by the weight 60 seated in one of the notches 68 and the notched wheel 69. This brings one of the characters of the design on the periphery of the wheel 30 squarely registered in the opening I0 to indicate the random selection of the machine. This takes place automatically regardless of whether or not the player permits the lever I8 to return to its normal position, and the stopping of the wheel 30 may take place either before or after the hand lever I8 is permitted to return. As the player permits the hand lever I8 to rise, the lever 94 moves under force of its spring back to its normal position so that the cam 95 engages the arm I06 of the chute IOI to hold it in its closed position. The catch I20 continues to hold the lever and the slide II in their extreme right position as viewed in Figs. 8 and 9. When the lever I8 has substantially completed its return motion, the line of action of the springs between the pins 31 and 40 again crosses the axis of the shaft 3| so that the arm 32 snaps back to its normal or upper position where it stops against the boss 35. In so doing it permits the arm III to return to its normal position. This rotates the shaft IIO to accomplish the following: (1) The catch I20 releases the arm 80 so that the slide 11 snaps back under the force of its spring BI to its normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 8; (2)- the arm 89 moves the pin 90 into the coin trap 9|. While the arm 89 moves away from the arm of the chute IOI, the chute does not open because it is held by the cam of the arm 94. The action of the arm 32 in snapping to its normal or upper position does not rotate the wheel 30 because the over-running clutch does not permit the arm 32 to drive the wheel in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5. The final motion of the hand lever I8 to its normal position causes the cam I28 to ride off the switch I26 so as to open the circuit to the lamp I25.

The hand lever I8 now may be depressed slightly to turn on the light I25 to provide a good view of the coin and of the exposed and registered character on the periphery of the wheel 30. The hand lever I8, also, may be depressed a considerable portion of its stroke so as to actuate the lever 94 so that the cam 95 releases the arm I06 to open the chute IOI and drop the coin from its position behind the opening I02 in the panel I2 into the coin box I22. This operation of the hand lever I8 does not cause the wheel to spin because since no coin has been inserted into the space between the end of the slide I8 and the projection 83 on the slide 11, the latch piece 46 will continue to engage the notch 45 in the spreader 39 so as to prevent the operation of the arm 32 in the manner already described.

While I have shown and described a single specific embodiment of my present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same is by way of illustration only, and that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination in an apparatus of the class described, an enclosing case having an aperture therein adapted to receive a coin, said case including means for permitting a view of the interior of said case, a handle on the exterior of the case, coin controlled means within said case adapted to receive said coin from said aperture, a wheel within said case, means operated by said handle under control of said coin controlled means for spinning said wheel, means for providing a plurality of registered positions of said wheel and for stopping said wheel in one of said positions at random, an index, said wheel having a display comprising a plurality of characters thereon each one of which characters registers with said index at some registered position of said wheel, said index and the character in register therewith being exposed to view from the exterior of said case, means including said coin controlled means operated by said handle when said wheel is spun for moving said coin into an exposed position near said index and the character registered therewith so that said character and coin may be viewed together, means operated by said handle independently of any control by said coin controlled means and irrespective of the operation of said wheel for removing said coin from view, means comprising an electric light for illuminating said coin in said exposed position and for illuminating the character which is in register with said index, a battery for said light, and a switch operated by said handle for connecting said light to said battery and disconnecting it therefrom.

2. In combination in a device of the class described, an enclosing case having an aperture adapted to receive a coin or the like, said case including means permitting a view of the interior thereof, said case including a compartment for the storage and accumulation of coins and the like, a handle on the exterior of said case, coin controlled means within said case adapted to receive a coin from said aperture, apparatus within said case adapted to be operated by said handle under control of said coin controlled means, means adapted to receive a coin from said coin controlled means when said apparatus is actuated by said lever and thereupon to expose said coin to view from the exterior of said case, means operated by said handle independently of any control of said coin controlled means for removing said coin from view and depositing it in said. compartment.

3. In combination in a device of the class described, an enclosing case having an aperture adapted to receive a coin or the like, said case including means permitting a View of the interior thereof, said case also including a compartment for the storage and accumulation of coins and the like, a handle on the exterior of said case, coin controlled means within said case adapted to receive a coin from said aperture, apparatus within said case adapted to be operated by said handle under control of said coin controlled means, means adapted to receive a coin from said coin controlled means when said apparatus is actuated by said lever and thereupon to expose said coin to view from the exterior of said case, means operated by said handle independently of any control by said coin controlled means for removing said coin from view and depositing it in said compartment, a lens for magnifying the View of a coin exposed to view as aforesaid, an electric lamp for illuminating a coin exposed to View as aforesaid, a battery for operating said lamp, and a switch operated by said handle to turn on said lamp when said apparatus is actuated and when said coin is removed from view.

4. In combination in an apparatus of the class described, an enclosing case having an aperture adapted to receive coins or the like, said case including first means for permitting a View of the interior thereof, a handle on the exterior of said case, apparatus within said case adapted to be opera-ted by said handle, second means adapted to receive coins from said aperture and operable by said handle to expose said coins to view from the exterior of said case and then to remove them from view, said handle being operable to operate said apparatus each time a new coin is exposed to view and actuate said second means for removing a coin from view each time said apparatus is operated, said handle being at all times operable to remove a coin from view regardless of whether or not a new coin is exposed to View thereby.

5. A device as defined in the immediately preceding claim wherein said second means includes coin controlled means for compelling a new coin to be exposed to view each time said apparatus is operated.

6. In combination in a device of the class described, an enclosing case having an aperture adapted to receive coins or the like, said case including first means permitting a view of the interior thereof, a handle on the exterior of said case, apparatus within said case adapted to be operated by said handle, second means adapted to receive coins from said aperture and including coin controlled means operated by said handle to display coins, said second means including also third means for removing said coins from view, said handle being operable to operate said apparatus each time a new coin is exposed to view and to actuate said third means each time said apparatus is operated, an electric lamp adapted to illuminate a coin while on display and meanscontrolled by said handle for energizing said lamp each time said handle is actuated regardless of whether or not a new coin is exposed to view thereby, said last named means being operable normally to deenergize said lamp.

ARCHIE J. MCMASTER.

Images