US2239030A

US2239030A - Amusement device

Info

Publication number: US2239030A
Application number: US308936A
Authority: US
Inventors: Biddle Frank Leslie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-12-13
Filing date: 1939-12-13
Publication date: 1941-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 1958-04-22

Description

Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved amusement device and has, for one of its principal objects, the provision of means for supplying optical enjoyment to spectators as well as to the actual participants.

An important object of this device is to provide a game of skill that inhibits a competitive spirit among the contestants and provides thrills for any onlookers.

Another important object of the device of this invention lies in the novelty of its construction in combination with its operation and dependence on the law of gravity for its operation.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of a pastime that will undoubtedly become a favorite because of its action and attractiveness in such a limited amount of space.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specifica-tion.

The invention, in a preferred form, is shown in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the amusement device of this invention.

Figure 2 shows a sectional detail of a portion of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section of a trough as used in this apparatus.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the base plate of this device.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a modified form of the invention incorporating a. starting device.

Figure 7 is another modification wherein the speed of the rolling ball may be increased.

Figure 8 is a still further modification showing retarding means for the descent of the spherical object.

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral Ill indicates generally the base of this amusement device on each end of which uprights l2 and M are positioned. Inclined troughs l6. l8 and 2D interconnect these uprights l2 and I4 and form a continuous path or track from the uppermost position to the base board ID.

This game or amusement device can be made and operated for any size simply by using a correspondingly sized spherical object. The game is preferably played with marbles, but could be played with bowling balls if so desired. A marble is dropped in the opening 22 at the top of the upright 12 from where it falls until it hits the end of the trough Hi. This end of the trough I6 is inserted into a cut-out portion of the upright I2 until it completely covers the central hole 22 of this upright as shown by the dashed lines of the drawing in Figure 1. The ball or marble then rolls down the inclined trough l6 toward the upright 14.

Figure 3 shows a cross section of the trough having a V shaped groove 24. This V shaped groove 24 forms an excellent track for the sphere or marble 25 shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail section of the lower end of the trough l6 connected to the upright l4 and also the central channel of this upright communicating with the middle trough E8. The marble 26 rolls over the end of the trough l6 and then downward through the channel 28 of this upright l4 until it hits the trough l8 which is similar in cross-section to the trough 16. The enlarged View of Figure 2 will sufiice to show also the inner construction of the portion where the elements Iii-l2 and 20 meet and also the meeting place of the elements 2!! and M.

The marble continues down the inclined trough l8 to the central channel 30 of the upright I2 where it falls to the trough 2D, whence it travels down the trough 20 to the second central channel 32 in the upright 14. This channel 32 is not the same as the other, however, be-

cause it just goes slightly downward and then curves out to an opening 34 on the inner face of the upright l4.

During its descent, the marble has gained considerable momentum and instead or just dropping out of this opening 34, it comes out with a speed suflicient to propel itself to the opposite end of the baseboard ill. This baseboard Ill, having raised sides 35, is equipped with holes or depressions 36 located strategically over an area near the opposite end of the opening 34. The marble 26 or sphere used, either drops into one of these depressions or else misses them entirely. Each depression 36 is given a different scoring count, and in this way, a total score is kept for each. individual dropping the marbles. The game can be played with one or more contestants, and either one or any number of marbles may be used. The total score is obtained by adding the numbers opposite each hole where a ball has fallen. The game provides a number of thrills in addition to the marbles hitting or missing the holes. The ball or marble 26 traveling down the troughs and through the uprights presents a very pleasing sight to the eye, and the actual demonstration of the law of gravity'attracting this spherical object from the top to the bottom of the apparatus makes it exceptionally entertaining. For this reason, the device of this invention will make an excellent window display. The marbles can be bright in color and may be of many different hues. To be used as a window display as abovementioned, some outside mechanical lift will be necessary to carry the marbles to the top and drop them out again in order to provide :a continuous operation.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are modifications of the device as heretofore shown. As best shown in Figure 6, a trough 38 similar to H is provided with a push-button 40 held in a forward position by the spring 42. The button 40 is supplied with a shank 44 that slides through a bearing 46. The end of the shank 44 has a tapered flange 48 which is used as a gripping means. To work this starting device for the marble, the shank and button are pulled back by a retracting of the flange 48, thus compressing the spring 42. The marble is placed in front of the button and the flange released, causing the button 40 to strike the marble 2E sending it along its way. It is possible with this starting device to slow down or speed up the marble, as it is deemed necessary, to get the marble to fall into a hole. Further control means are shown in Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows a spring 50 for increasing the velocity of the descending marble. The spring 50 is attached to the inner face of a channel 52 in an upright 54 at 56 by screws, nails, rivets or some other suitable attaching means. The spring curves inward at 58, thus partially blocking the path of the falling marble 2B. When the marble does squeeze by this spring, it presses the spring against the wall 54. This puts the spring under tension and when the marble passes this inward curved portion 58, the lower portion 60 snaps back and gives it a push on its way. This is all done within the confines of one of the uprights without any outside attention, but it is possible to provide a spring-retained push-button 62, and when the player believes his marble to be passing that point, he can give the button a push and speed up the ball in addition to the automatic speeding up. Figure 8 shows an automatic retarding device. A spring-retained button 64 constricts the channel passage, and the marble 26, when falling through, is slowed down considerably. This is not generally controllable from the outside, but the button 64 can be pulled out of the Way by the knob 66, thus eliminating any retardation of the descending marble.

, This is an interesting amusement device, and it is very economical to manufacture. The device is easy to operate and will undoubtedly soon become a favorite pastime with the peoples of this world of ours.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A game of skill, comprising a falling sphere in combination with a structure having a base with depressions therein, uprights at each end of the base, central channels in portions of the uprights, springs in these channels to increase the speed of the falling sphere, inclined troughs connecting the uprights and forming the tracks on which the sphere descends.

2. A game of skill, comprising a falling sphere in combination with a structure having a base with depressions therein, uprights at each end of the base, central channels in portions of the uprights, springs in these channels to increase the speed of the falling sphere, inclined troughs connecting the uprights and forming the tracks on which the sphere descends, and the sphere rolling out onto the base and tending to fall into one of the depressions.

3. A game of skill, comprising a falling sphere in combination with a structure having a base with depressions therein, uprights at each end of the base, central channels in portions of the uprights, springs in these channels to increase the speed of the falling sphere, inclined troughs connecting the uprights and forming the tracks on i which the sphere descends, and the sphere rolling out onto the base and tending to fall into one of the depressions, and outer control means for the springs in the channels.

- 4. A game of skill, comprising a falling sphere in combination with a structure having a base with depressions therein, uprights at each end of the base, central channels in portions of the up rights, springs in these channels to retard the speed of the falling sphere, inclined troughs connecting the uprights and forming the tracks on which the sphere descends, and the sphere rolling out onto the base and tending to fall into one of the depressions.

FRANK LESLIE BIDDLE.