US2327309A - Combined game and amusement apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 17, 1943. P, KYSKA COMBINED GAME AND AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l BY @5 2' a Aug. 17, 1943. P. KYSKA I COMBINED GAME AND AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1 1941 INVENTOR. P026 Aj'ska Aug. 17, 1943.

P. KYSKA COMBINED GAME AND AMUSEMENT APPARATUS :5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 1, 1941 IN V EN TOR. Pc er k Patented Aug. 17, 1943 UNITED srArEs- COMBINED GAME AND AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Peter Kyska, Chicago, Ill. Application December 1, 1341, Serial NaAZLllG 7 Claims.

be cleposited upon a plurality of fulcrumed levers having indicia designations and certain of which leversare adapted to be optionally held against pivoting ball-discharging movement by staggered pegs or pins of a rotatable shaft element.

It is an important object of myinvention to rovide a novel game apparatus, having either one or a pair of tiltably or rockably mounted beds; a plurality of chutes disposed substantially about the beds; a rockable pivotally mounted foot adapted to be operated'by either one or both players whereby either player may cause. the balls to be successively released by suitable mechanism tobe conveyed to either of the tiltable beds. 1

A further object of my invention is the provisionof a novel game apparatus of the general type indicated in the preceding paragraphs and having a plurality of adjacent pivoted. and fulcrumed indicia-bearing lever members, each of which normally rock with the weight of .a ball thereon, and which game has means. and mechanism including a' shaft bearing rows of spaced hart staggered pinsso that saidshaft may be ed in one of a number of positions to nonuni rmly cause the pins of one row to hold the rocker levers against pivoting and ball-releasing movement.

A further object is the provision oi a game having one or more rocker beds upon which the balls are adapted to be successively delivered according to the desire or" either a single player or or" one of a plurality of players, and which have a plurality of rocker levers fulcrumed so that portions of said levers are disposed in exit holes the lower end of the bed, in combination with indicia bearing player operated rotatable obstructing member, which member is adapted to obstruct apartof said levers against ball. releasing movement and an indicia bearing rotatable shaft drivingly connected to said rotatable obstructing member, thereby providing solely achance resulting score impossible of predetermination of the player.

Other and further important objects of my (or. era-12o)- invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

Thi invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated and such illustration described in the following:. V 7

On the drawings:

Fig. l is atop plan view of one form of my invention showing portions broken away at the.

left thereof, particularly of the left playing table and other parts. I

Fig. .2 is an enlarged elevation of a fragment showing a portion of the indicia bearing roller and portions of the pin-carryingshaft and showing thecentral pivoted and depending portions of some of the levers. a

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 illustrating one of the pivoted lever elements. j a a Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line l---4 of Fig. 2. j

Fig; 5 is anenlarged side elevational view of a. fragment of my invention taken on line 5. 5 ofFig.2.. 7 N

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view looking at the top oi'Fig. 1 and showing the rear frame support and rockable train or track and other parts.

Fig. 7 is anenlarged elevational view taken .on line L? of Fig. 1 and looking toward the upper portion of Fig. 1.

8 istan enlarged top plan view ofa fragment of the delivery and lower end portion of the righthand ball chute, and taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral it designates a. suitable frame of metal, wood or other suitable material. Numerals Mia and Nb designate the opposite side members which compose the frame side portions. The forward ends of each of the side bars orv members Ida and I0?) are secured by screws or equivalent means to the inner edge surfaces of the vertically extending legs or posts it and ilrespectively, Numeral E l designates the back or rear bar or russ of the which is connected at its opposite endsto the side bars led and lab respectively at the points. of juncture therein. A. forward strap or bar !2 is secured at its opposite ends-to the lower ends of come legs or supports lt and H. The

intermediate leg or support l5 (Fig. 2) is connected at one 01" its ends by screws, nails or the like to the intermediate portion oftransverse forward connecting'bar 52, said connecting bar 12 being preferably so positioned that it will lay flat upon 'a table or supporting surface. The upper rear connecting barll is shown in elevation in Fig. 7, which is a cross sectional view taken on lines L of Fig. l. A plurality of triangular corner segments I3 form corner braces. In the particular form of my invention illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein two playing tables are provided, I provide a vertical intermediate division panel I i midway between the outer side bars Illa and Ifib, which likewise extends from bar ii to a point beyond 52 and isjconnected thereto. The rearward end of intermediate panel I 4 is connected to the longitudinal rear bar I I by suitable screws, nails or the like, and the forward end of said division panel I 4 i connected by screws, nails,

glue or equivalent means to the forward inter-' mediate post I 5 as illustrated in top plan view of Fig. l.

Numerals I8 and I9, illustrated in Fig. 7, represent vertically extending legs or supports and numeral 25 designates an intermediate vertically extending supporting leg or support, all of which legs are secured intermediate their ends by suitable fastening elements to the horizontal rear cross bar I. Referring to Fig. 7, numeral 2| designates a horizontal base strap or bar which is adapted to lie preferably upon the table or other supportingsurface, and said base bar 2! is connected by screws or equivalent fastening elements to the lower ends of legs or supports Iii, I5 and 26 respectively, as illustrated in said Fig. 7.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and Na-panel of substantially rectangular form, though preferably having an inclined non-straight edge, the upper edge terminating in a central apex is mounted in a vertical plane with its lower edge coinciding with the upper edge surface of the rear horizontal frame cross bar I I. Said panel has an upper central opening 23 in which is mounted a ball delivery trough as hereinafter described, and has a pair of spaced apart openings 24 therein located at positions so thatthe balls may be'delivered in the manner hereinafter described to the playing table from ball delivery means herein described. Said panel has a pair of spaced apart openings 25 and 26 substantially in the positions as illustrated in Fig. 7 and in which are mounted fulcrumed levers hereinafter described, and said panel also has a lower substantially central opening 27 therein through which suitably mounted hand levers extend for purposes hereinafter described. Said panel 22 is secured to the upwardly extending portions of rear legs I8, I8 and 2:: by screws or equivalent fastening elements. The intermediate horizontal bar or strap H is preferably provided with a pair of downwardly opening, recesses 29 and 36 as indicated in Fig. 7. .The outer rearward ends of two ball-return troughs or chutes are supported under said troughs 3| and are secured to the lower edge of the rear cross bar I I by screws or equivalent fastening elements (not shown) which pass through edge flanges of said troughs 3i and into said cross bar I I.

As shown in side elevation in Fig. 7 and in top plan view in Fig. 1, I provide a substantially rectangular panel 32 which is mounted with one flat surface directly against the rear surface of the panel 22; and which is above the upper end of the intermediate post 29 and upon the rear surface of said panel 22. This panel 32, made of metal or other suitable material, is provided with a pair of apertures or openings adjacent its side edges which register with the openings 25 and 25 of panel 22. These side openings in panel 32 are preferably formed by making a U-shaped cut in said panel 32 and bending the integral gular base of wood, metal, or

in the upper ends tongues formed thereby perpendicularly with respect to said panel 32 and in a rearward direction to provide horizontally extending ears 33 which are formed with apertures through which pivot bolts 34 are inserted. Bolt 34 are shown as inserted through said ears 33 in a horizontal direction and said bolts pass through suitable apertures formed in the intermediate portion of lever 35 to thereby pivotally mount said levers 35 for pivoting movement in horizontal directions, one portion of said levers 35 projecting forwardly of panel 22 and the other portion thereof projecting rearwardly of panel 22 to points wherein said levers 35 will engage the under surface of the fulcrumed tiltable ball race hereinafter described. The rearward ends of said levers 35 are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 as beneath the said ball race. The two pivot bolts 34 have suitable nuts threaded on their outer ends to hold said levers 35 in position thereon.

The rectangular panel 32 also has a suitable aperture or opening registering with the opening 21 in panel 22, the edge of said opening being shown in Fig. 7.

A pair of levers 36 and 37 shown in top plan in Fig. 1 are pivoted by means of common pivot to the edge portion of panel 22- which edge portion is adjacent the opening 2?, said common pivot, which may be a suitable screw or pin, passing through the intermediate crossed over portions of both of said levers 36 and 37 and into the edge portion of panel 22 to thereby mount said levers so that the opposite ends thereof extend on opposite sides of the panel 22 as indicated in Fig. 1. These levers are connected by suitable links hereinafter described to ball throwout or ball discharge elements later herein described.

Description 0 ball delivery mechanisms parts As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, I provided a plurality of race-ways and a tiltable, rockablc race whereby either one or more players may selectively and alternatively effect delivery of balls to either one or both of the playingtables hereinafter described. Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, numeral 4| designates a substantially rectanthe like which has secured thereon two vertical ends posts (=2 and 43 respectively at opposite ends of said base. Said posts or supports 42 and 53 maybe formed of wood, metal or the like and extend in perpendicular direction as shown in Figs. 1 and G.

Secured upon the intermediate portion and substantially midway between the ends of said base M are a pair of spacedapart upwardly extending posts 44 and 45 respectively which are secured by screws or equivalent fastening means to the base 4!. Numeral 4'5 designates a transverse normally horizontal pivot pin which is mounted in aligned apertures (not shown) formed of posts or supports 44 and 45. Said pin 45 provides a suitable fulcruming or pivot means for a tiltable, swingable and pivotable race hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, numeral designates channel-like trough or race of U- shape cross sectionwhich is preferably formed of metal and which has its outer end bent toward the playing table as designated and which has its opposite end bent and doubled back as indicated in Fig. 1, said doubled back end portion being designated by a numeral 43, and being thence bent to form a delivery spout porbracket it has its opposite end secured by screws or equivalent fastening elements (not shown) to the bottom cross bar 53 of the frame. The said mounted positions of each of said bars 15 is inclined downwardly toward the bracket 16 so that it will hold the'playing panel 74 in correspondingly inclined positions so that balls will roll by gravity from points near the delivery spouts 49 toward the forward portion of the device.

Journalled adjacent the lower straight edge of the playing'panel N are a pair of horizontal shafts ll. Each of the shafts H has its ends secured in a suitable aperture in the frame side bars iii!) and ma. respectively and the other ends of each thereof secured in a suitable aperture in intermediate bar I4. Said shaft is shown in cross-section in Fig. 4 and a fragment thereof shown in side elevation in Fig. 2. Rotatably journalled on said shaft H in substantially adjacent positions are a plurality of rocker-like members 58 which have a normally downwardly dependin counterweight portion 19 and each of which have a ball-receiving upper cup 89 as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Said rocker or lever members 78 are in alignment and in substantially adjacent positions on said shaft 11 as clearly shown at the left in Fig. 2.

Secured adjacent to and immediately above the intermediate journalled portions of the rocker members it is a horizontally extending strap 8| of metal, wood or other suitable material which is shown in crosssection in Fig. 4c. Said strap 8| acts'as a stop element to stop the rolling balls to cause the balls to fall upon the cups to of the rockable members 18.

As Shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, a rotatable indicia roller or shaft 82 is mounted in a horizontal posiy tion substantially adjacent the strap 8| and adjacent the central portions of the rockable members l8, and said indicia shaft 32 has its opposite reduced ends jo-urnalled in the intermediate bar l and frame sidebar isle. Ihe end of said.

indicia shaft 82 which passes through the side bar I lib has secured thereon a suitable gear wheel or sprocket 84 and said end projects outwardly and horizontally to form a grippable handle 85 as shown at the right of Fig. 2.

The shaft 82 has aflixed thereto aplurality of indicia preferably numbers, in a substantially equidistant spacing or relationship as indicated in the right of Fig. 2. The said indicia, in my preferred form, is arranged so that four numbers are affixed in each row or sector circumferentially of the roller or shaft, in other words, said numbers being spaced with their centers substantially ninety degrees apart about each sector. In Fig. 2 I have illustrated circumferential lines 87 to illustrate the annular circumferential sectors of the surface of indicia roller or shaft 82.

Further, in the preferred form of m invention, all the respective sets of four or less numbers, each are so arranged that the respective numbers are in substantial alignment longitudinally of the roller or shaft of said numbers or in horizontal rows. Therefore, the shaft is adapted to be rotated into any one of a number of positions so that there is presented upwardly and tothe players view, a selected horizontal row of indicia. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral 88 designates peg carrying or pin carrying horizontal extending shaft which has one end reduced and journalled in the intermediate panel I4 and its other end reduced'and journalled in side bar 1 01), said latter endextending through and projecting outwardly from said side bar Nb as indicated at the right of Fig. 2. Said outwardly projecting end of pin shaft 83 has secured thereon a gear wheel or sprocket 89 whose teeth mesh with the teeth of sprocket 8t. A plurality of pegs or pins 90 are secured in radiall extending positions in suitable apertures of pin shaft 88 and in staggered relationship, though being preferably in substantially two perpendicular planes. Therefore, said pegs or pins 96 are preferably arranged so that the position of one horizontal row of said pegs or pins is in a plane substantially ninety degrees to the next adjacent horizontal row of pins. Said pins -58 are in non-aligned positions circumferentially of the pin shaft and in such positions that each row of pins constitute a different combination of positions longitudinally of the pin shaft 88 and so that each such row of radial pins 99, when positioned in horizontal direction inwardly of the device, will act as stops or obstructions to pivoting movement of the counterweight portion 79 of certain of therocker members 78. It will be noted that the length of the counterweight portions 19 or rocker members 78 is such that they extend below a plane passing through the longitudinal center of shaft 88,'and that when certain of the pins 9d are positioned toward said counterweight portions, the corresponding rocker members 18 will not pivot or rock to cause discharge of the balls which fall upon the cup portions of those rocker members.

As shown in elevation in Fig. 2 and in transverse cross section in Fig. 4:, I provide an inclined trough 9|, preferably made of metal, which has one end secured in the side bar lElb' its lower end secured in intermediate panel It and being in a position so that its balls which are discharged b pivoting movement of rocker members 18 wil fall into said inclined trough Si and roll to a suitable receptacle for reuse successive plays.

Referring to the right hand portions of Figs. 1 and 5, I provide an optional pivoted pawl 92 which is pivoted at one end by a screw for vertical movement to cause engagement of its forward bent end between any two adjacent sprocket teeth of the sprocket 84 so that the player may optionally releasably rock the indicia roller 82 and pin shaft 88 in the desired position durin -play of either one series or. a part of one series of balls.

As shown in 2, the rockable pivotally mounted play table pivoted for side to side rocking movement as hereinbefore described, has its edge areas provided with a pair of downwardly depending metal hooks M which are connected by relatively yieldable springs 95 to lower horizontally extending anchoring hooks 55 as shown at the lower portion of Fig. 2.. This spring-flexible anchorage of the side portions of the playing table provides for limited though adequate optional rocking movement of said playing table during the periods during which the balls are rolling downwardly thereof toward the rocker members 18.

I desire it to be understood that in the major portion of the foregoing I have directed the description to one of said play tables, only one complete one being shown inFig. 2, and desire it to be understood that where two or a-plurality of such play tables were embodied in one game unit, that eachoi said play tables and associated parts would be preferably built similar to that hereinbefore described. H 7

I will now describe one preferred method of play, this description being directed onlyto play upon one of said tables, it being understood that similar method of play would be followed as to any other additional play table unit where the pari ticular structure embodies more than one play deliver one ball at a time to therighthand playin table, will manually lower the left hand end of the pivoted ball racefii to cause the right hand inclined trough or chute $9 to move upwardly to slightly raise and dislodge the foremost ball and to cause such ball to roll down said inclined chute to a position in rockable race El adjacent the lower end of chute 69. Thereupon the player will pivot or rock the swingable ball race 6| to lower the right hand portion and raise the left hand portion to cause rolling discharge of the ball along said right hand end of saidrace 6 i and into the receiving end 5| of the inclined race 5th The player eitherbefore starting movement of the first ball or before discharging the ball from the swingable ball race into race 56 will select one of a series of horizontally aligned indicia, either numbersor other Suitable indicia, borne on indicia shaft or roller 82, eifectingflsuch seleeticn'by presenting upwardly theselected row of said indicia and thereby causing horizontally extending pegs or pins 99 which are positioned correspondingly to said indicia, to obstruct pivot: ing and discharge movement of certain of'the rocker 'members T8. So that the player may always have in view the indicia and their relative positions in corresponding rows as they are borne upon the roller E2, the corresponding four horizontal rows or numbers borne on said roller 82 may be affixed or reproduced by imprinting, labels or the like, upon the lower edge portions of each playing panel as partially illustrated at the right of Fig. 1. Having these rows of numbers in view in the same relativepositions as they exist on the roller 32, the player may elect to play an one of said four rows of numbers and move and rotate the indicia shaft or roller 82 to present upwardly and to view said selected numbers. 7

The ball, being deposited in race 50,,will roll therealong, the valve 55 being open to cause discharge of the ball through the spout 53 upon the upper portion or the playing table or playing panel M. 1 a

' As each ball is deposited, one at atime, upon the upper end of the inclined playing panel, such ball mayroll entirely by chance tofall intoany oneof the cups SE! of rocker members 18. Durframe side bar lab as shown at the right of Fig. 1, the inner end of said lever contacted against the bottom surface of the playing panel.

As before stated, when a ball downwardly rolling on. the playing panel drops upon the cup portion of rocker members 78, which is not obstructed from pivoting movement by one of the horizontally extending pins to, the ball will thereuponbe discharged in the described manner into troughs i to be rolled out for reuse. When one or more of the balls drop upon those rocker members which are obstructed by pins 90 against pivoting movement, the balls will remain in said cupsand in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, and upon completion or" play of the desired number of balls, the player will add together thenumbers which are represented'by the rocker member cupretained balls to determine the score for the particular series of play.

lwoor more-players may use the same playing table in the aforedescribed manner and may op- .tionall record their scores to determine which contains the highest total of scores in a given number of plays. A similar'method'of score computation may optionally be followe d where' separate playingtables are used by two players, and I desire it to be understoodthat other methods of scoring may be practiced with the usev of my game device. r If a player desires that one or more balls or a particular series being played be prevented from reaching the playing table, he may cause dis- 7 charge thereof from either one of the inclined races i? or 5i by opening either one or the valves 54 or E5 to prevent the ball from entering the aforesaiddischarge spent and to cause the ball to l be thrown from the said inclined races by movement in thedesired direction of one or the other of the pivoted levers 38 or 3?. also understood that in place of direct manual i swinging movement of the swingabie ball race 6 i,

ing such downward roll, the player may option-" the player may utilize therefor either one or the other of the fulcrumed levers or to effect rocking or swinging movement of said race iii in the desired direction. 7

I am aware that various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention 'or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall'be construed'as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof.

I claim as my invention:

i. In a game device, in combination, a framelike support; a longitudinally inclined table on said support having a transversely rocking movement; an upwardly extending standard; inclined chutes mounted adjacent said standard and hav ing a partially obstructed delivery end opening; a manually tiltable ball track pivoted on said standard; apair of pawls pivoted on said track and adapted when moved upwardly to release a ball at the delivery opening or said chute to cause it to roll on said track; a runway connected to said;frame-like support and adapted to cause a ball delivered thereon to be deposited on the upper end of said table; a plurality of transversely aligned indicia bearing fulcrumed levers having cup-like portions in positions so that the balls rolling upon Said bed will fall thereupon to normally tilt said levers to discharge a ball below the playing surface, and a manually rotatable shaft having non-uniform rows of pins thereon and'being positionable to cause the pins of one I desire it to be ing a partially obstructed delivery end opening;

a manually tiltable ball track pivoted o-n-said standard; a pair of pawls pivoted on said track and adapted when moved JDWardly to release a ball at the delivery opening of said chute to cause it to roll on said track; a runway connected to said frame-likesupport andadapted to cause a ball deliver-d thereon to be deposited on the upper end cream table; a plurality of transversely aligned indicia bearing iulcrumed levers having cup lilz portions in positions so that the balls rolling upon said bed will fall thereupon'to normally tilt said levers to discharge a ball belcw the surface of said inclined table; a manually rotatable shaft having non-uniform rows of pins thereon and bcin positionable to cause the pins of one row to obstruct the tilting movement of said levers,-and a multi-surfaced indicia and number bearing roller journalecl in said support and adjacent said shaft, and cooperating gears on said shaft and said rolier to cause the same to rotate simultaneousl to thereby present a visible and varying set of indicia as applicable to each row of obstructing pins of said shaft.

3. In a game device including a supporting frame and an inclined playing table, and having manually operable means for. selectively delivering balls to the normally higher portion of said table, a plurality adjacent lever elements, each fulcruined intermediate its ends and on a portion of support and having an upper adapted to receive a ball rolled from said table; each; of said lever elements being adapted to rock when a ball i' ls thereon to discharge theball; a rotatable s bearing spaced'apart pins thereon in relationship, a portion of said pins beingv adapted to engage certain of said levens v-Jhen a ball falls on their upper portions to thereby prevent rocking and ball-discharging movement of c rtain of. the levers, and indicia adjacent each. oi" said levers adapted to designated varied values.

4.111 a game device including a supporting frame and an inclined playing table, and having manually operable means for selectivelydeliv ering balls to the normally higher portion of said table; a plurality of adjacent aligned lever elements, each fulcrumed intermediate its ends and on a portion of said support and having an upper concave portion adapted to receive a ball rolled frcm' aid table; each of said lever elements being adapted to rock when a ball falls thereon to discharge the ball; a rotatable'shaft bearing rows of spaced apart pins thereon in staggeredrelationship, a portion of said pins being adapted to engage certain of said levers when a ball falls on their upper'portions to thereby prevent rocking andball-discharging movement of the levers; an elongated roller journaled in said support and substantially adjacent the upper portions of said aligned levers, said roller bearing numbers thereon to designate said levers respectively, and inter-engaging gears on said roller and on said shaftto thereby change the designated numbers applicable to certain levers according to the row of pins presented to 0bstructing positions.

5. In a game apparatus, a supporting frame; an inclined ball-carrying chute; a tiltable track fulcrummed intermediate its ends and, on said frame; a ball release lever pivoted on said tiltable track and adapted to release a ball from. the discharge end of said chute and onto said track; an'inclined playing table mounted in said frame; inclined tracks mounted on said frame adapted to conveya balldischarged from said tiltable said support and substantially adjacent the upconcave portion playing table;

a movement.

per portions of said aligned levers, said roller bearing numbers thereon to designate said levers respectively; and inter-engaging gears on said roller and on said shaft to thereby change the designated numbers applicable to certain levers according to the row of pins presented to obstructing positions.

6. In a game device including a ball receptacle, an inclined playing table; inclined track means and means for releasing a ball from said receptacle upon said track means, said track means being adapted to deliver the balls on a a plurality of tiltable rockable lever elements mounted in aligned adjacent positions at the lower end of said playing table, said lever elements being adapted to discharge a ball on pivoting movement; a roller member journalcd'in said frame substantially adjacent said lever elements though spaced therefrom; a plurality of rows of spaced apart obstructing pins in said roller, said pins being positioned to obstruct the tilting of certain of said lever elements to thereby cause certain of said lever elements to retain balls thereon, and indicia on said roller to thereby permit computation of those indicia designating the ball-retaining levers at the completion of each play or series of play.

7. In a game apparatus having an inclined playing table and manually operable mechanism for selectively delivering the balls to the upper end portion of said inclined playing table, said mechanism including a pivotally mounted ball race; a plurality of pivotally mounted rocker elements adjacent the lower endof said inclined playing table, each of said rocker elements having a ball-receiving cup-like portion and an extended finger-like portion normally depending downwardly; and selectively movable variable in dicia-bearingmeans mounted for rotatable movement substantially adjacent said pivoted ball obstructing members, said indicia bearing means including a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of spaced apart pegs extending radially from said shaft, said pegs being adapted in varied positions to hold certain of the ball obstructing members against ball-discharging PETER KYSKA.

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