US2513728A

US2513728A - Amusement apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2513728A
Application number: US629456A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry C Koci
Original assignee: CHICAGO COIN MACHINE CO
Current assignee: CHICAGO COIN MACHINE Co
Priority date: 1945-11-19
Filing date: 1945-11-19
Publication date: 1950-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 1967-07-04

Description

July 4, 1950 J. c. KOCl AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 19, 1945 1720671Z07" Jriy C. ffocz' 4 9 RM Q MM life/"226% July 4, 1950 Filed Nov. 19, 1945 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS J. C. KOCI H a 70 Ill .5/ 3;;4 55

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 J/"r'y Ciji acz' QM July 4, 1950 J. c. KOCI AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 19, 1945 Q m.& m kmkg $5 3% G Patented July 4, 1950 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Jerry C. Koci, Riverside, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Chicago Coin Machine 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 19, 1945, Serial No. 629,456

4 Claims.

This invention relates to amusement apparatus and particularly to that type of apparatus where a player may pit his skill against another player or, in the alternative, against a robot player, this latter being an automatically actuated playing means. Thus, the game may be any one of a number where two players ordinarily participate. While the apparatus has been illustrated with reference to hockey, it is manifest that other games, like tennis, may form the basis of the amusement apparatus.

The apparatus forming the subject matter of thisinvention constitutes an improvement upon Patent 2,318,169 issued May 4, 1943, to La Rock. In this patent, a game for playing hockey is shown wherein two mannikins or robots are provided, these robots being under the control of one person. While the apparatus patented above provides an entertaining game, the invention herein improves upon the latter. The invention provides an apparatus where one person controls only one robot and where the other opposing robot is under separate control. Thus, the separate control may be exercised either by the machine to provide a robot opponent or selectively may be under the control of a different person. The skill and speed required of one or both persons operating the apparatus is enhanced over that necessary in the apparatus of the patent referred to above.

It is understood that the selection of the type of game played on the new apparatus must be made at the beginning of the game. Thus, prior to the initiation of the game, a control may be set so that either dual or solo play is provided. In general, the game resembles the game of the patent in that a predetermined number of balls are preferably fed in succession on the playing field. While means may be provided to restrict the ball feed so that only one ball is used at any one time, it is preferred to feed a number of balls in quick succession. Thus, a fast and exciting game is provided.

The invention herein provides a convenient means whereby one coin will condition the game apparatus for solo play, while two coins condition the apparatus for dual p1ay.' Any predetermined number of balls may be used fora complete game, the limit being readily adjusted.

Once the ball limit has been reached; the ball feed to the playing field is stopped.

The playing field is preferably divided by a median transverse line from which line the field slopes gently. Opposed playing regions are pro vided on opposite sides. of the median line and beyond the playing regions are goal regions. At each playing region may be one or more robots provided with means to intercept a ball or what ever is used in the game.

The game apparatus embodying the present invention also includes totalizing means for scoring both sides, irrespective of the type of game.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the drawings wherein an exemplary embodiment is disclosed, it being understood, however, that various modifications within the scope of the invention may be provided.

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a game apparatus embodying this invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 showing certain details of the robot operating means and ball feed. Figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of Figure 2 0 showing the ball feed mechanism. Figure 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 of Figure 2, showing the details of a switch in a ball return chute for counting purposes. Figure 5 is a front View of the ball feed portion of the system with certain parts broken away. Figure 6 is a section on broken line 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure '7 is a perspective view of the end or discharge plate and shutter of the ball feed portion of the system. Figure 8'is a wiring diagram showing the electrical connections in the system.

The entire game apparatus may conveniently be housed in cabinet l0 having top panel H and front panel Hi. Top panel II has playing field M bordered by score-indicating means l5 and it at opposite ends of the field. Lights l1 vmay be provided for illuminating the field. Glass panels [8 and I9 serve to cover the playing and score-indicating means. 2

Playing field l4 may be bordered by a generally oval shaped wall 20-. The playing field'has ends '2l and 22 which may be considered as representiIlg goals. These goals are guarded by

robots

23 and 24 suitably mounted for rotation as hereinafter described. Each robot carries hockey stick 25, which stick is just long enough to operate snugly within the narrowing end regions of the playing field.

As described in the patent referred to above, playing field M has transverse median line 21 from which line the field slopes gently toward the two ends. The angle of slope may be set to any desired value and, in practice, may be small, something of the order of about four or five degrees.

In front of playing field l4, cabinet top It has upon receipt of a coin so that playing conditions may be provided. As will be apparent later, game selector 32 must be operated first. Then coin slide 34 is operated, the projecting part being pushed in against spring pressure for each coin deposited. Thus, for a dual game, two coins are successively deposited.

Irrespective of whether a dual or solo game is played, one robot will be directly under the control of a person. For convenience, this may be assumed to be robot 24 controlled by means 3|. Robot 24 is adapted to be still, turn clockwise or anti-clockwise depending upon whether control 3| is moved from a normal position and, if so, upon the direction of movement of control 3|. In the event that a dual game is selected, robot 23 will be controlled by means 3|) and is thus subject to the same type of control as the opposing robot. Means for discharging small objects, such as ball bearings, may .be provid-' ed as will be shown later. Such means may conveniently discharge the balls onplaying field M from any suitable spot, such as that portion of the field bordering game selecting control 32. With dual play, alternate balls are discharged on field M on opposite sides of median line 21. Thus, the balls tend to roll toward the nearest robot. A complete game may use any desired number of balls. Any number of balls may be discharged any desired number of times to total a complete game.

In the event that a solo selection is made, then control 36 is inoperative, and means are provided whereby robot 23 is alternately turned first in one direction and then in the other as an automatic player. -In such case, the balls discharged on field |4 may :be directed on alternate sides of median line 21 or only. on one side. As described later, means are provided for directing the ba1ls:on-. one side of median line 21 in a solo game. As will be apparent, the object of the game is for a player to prevent any balls from entering his own goal, and instead to knock the balls beyond the opposing player to the other goal. Upon themaking of a goal, means are provided for indicatin a core. The goal regions are connected bysuitable chutes tothe ball return as hereinafter described;

Robot 23 is mounted on shaft 36 coupled to motor 31having windings 38 and '39. Motor 31 may conveniently 'be' a simple induction type 'motor havingwindings for determining the direction of rotationand including speed reducing means; Thus, winding 38 may cause rotation in one direction and winding'39 may cause rotation in the reverse direction.

Robot 24 is similarly mounted upon shaft 40 coupled to motor4'l having'windings' 42 and 43 for determining the'direction of rotation. The speed of rotation of the robots may beset to any desired value and, in practice, maybe something of the order of one or more revolutions per second. Robot 23 guards goal region 2|, which regionis connected through suitable passage45 to chute 46 extending beneath field 14. Similarly,

'a ball comes up under finger 76.

'64 to driving motor 83.

4 robot 24 guards goal 22 connected by passage 41 to chute 4B.

Chutes

46 and 48 meet at ball feeding means generally indicated by numeral 50. Ball feed 5|! has control plate 5|, which may be any shape desired and is here shown as rectangular. Plate 5| is flat and has ball inlet opening 52 and

discharge openings

53 and 54. Ball inlet opening 52 is at one side of the plate, this being the bottom where chutes 46 and 418 meet, while

discharge openings

53 and 54 are at the top of the plate on opposite sides of the center line. As is evident from Figure 2,

discharge openings

53 and 54 are normally adapted to lie on opposite sides of median line 27 of playing field l4.

Control plate 5! is provided with shutter 55 pivoted at 56 and movable to cover discharge opening 53. Shutter 55 has lug 57 to which hook 58 is attached, this hook being carried by armature 59 of solenoid 6|luSpring 6| normally biases armature 59 in a position to maintain shutter 55 open. This may be'reversed if desired.

Operating in proximity to plate 5| is circular ball feed plate 63 rotatively secured to shaft 64. Plate 63 has a plurality of apertures 65 therethrough, these apertures being disposed circularly around shaft 64. Each aperture 65 is large enough to accommodate one ball bearin 66 used in the game. Plate 63 is so mounted with respect to control plate 5! and apertures 65 are so displate 63, apertures 65 will periodically register with inlet opening 52 and

discharge openings

53 and 54 of control plate 5|.

On the side of ball feed plate 63, remote from control plate 5l, is front cover plate 61. Cover plate' 6'! and control plate 5| are rigidly maintained with respect to each other by bolts 68 engaging tapped apertures 16 in the four corners of control plate 5|. Spacing sleeves 1| between the cover and control plates maintain the plates separated a predetermined distance. This separation distance is just enough larger than the diameter of 'balls 66 sothat clearance between the cover and control plates may be provided. It is understood that ball feed plate 63 is rotatable between the cover and control plates and that shaft 64 passes through a suitable clearance opening in cover plate 61. r

Cover plate 61 carries a pair of coil spring 13 and Msuitably mounted thereon and having fingers l5 and 16 extending through apertures Tl and'TB in the cover plate. Fingers l5 and 15 are adapted to bear against ball feed plate 63, and the position of engagement with plate 63 is such as to register with

discharge openings

53 and 54 in control plate 5|. It will be noted that fingers l5 and 16 are shaped to engage .balls 66 and urge them through discharge openings'53 and 54. Cooperating with finger I6 is switch 86, this being adapted to have its contacts closed every time This switch controls the shutter for dual play' and also counts the number of balls for terminating the game after a predetermined number of balls, such as ten, have been projected on the field.

Ball feed plate "63is connected by drive shaft This driving motor may be any type desired and is adapted to turn ball feed plate 63 ata desired speed. Driving motor 83 may conveniently be of the induction type having reducing gearing therein and well known in the trade for driving clocks, time-conjtrolled, mechanism, and other devices. It is clear that the direction .of drive of ball feed plate 63, as seen in Figure 5, is anti-clockwise. A friction clutch may be provided to prevent damage in case a ball jams.

Referring now to Figure 8, a circuit diagram showing the connections between the various parts of the system is given. It willbe understood that the actual electrical circuit elements may be disposed in any suitable portion of the cabinet and connections made to the various motors and switches. Thus, wires 86 and may be connected to any suitable source of power, such as a 60 cycle, 110 volt outlet.

Wire 86 is connected through fuse 88 to lead 90 going to one terminal of switch 9I. Switch 9| is operated by coin slide 34. When coin slide 34 is pressed inwardly against spring 92, switch 9| is one of a number of switches which are closed. When the pressure on coin slide 34 is withdrawn, it is understood that it returns to its normal position and that switch 9Iv is opened. Switch 9I has fixed contact 93 connected by wire 94 to one terminal of step-by-step switch 96. Step-by-step switch 96 may be any one of a number of well-known types generally used in telephone or other work wherein a movable contact wiper is progressively actuated to go from one fixed contact to another fixed contact. Such step-by-step switches, or selector switches as they are sometimes called, are generally provided with holding means for preventing the wiper arm from returning to its starting position until after a predetermined amount of travel or if the power for the holding circuit is cut off. Thus, a simple diagrammatic form of step-by-step switch which may be used here is disclosed on page 2038, particularly Figures 35 and 36, of Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, Seventh edition, published by McGraw-Hill. As used in the circuit of Figure 8, the wiper operated by the step-by-step switch plays over one bank of contacts corresponding to one digit in telephone switching. It is understood, of course, that such a bank may provide more than nine or ten contacts, and may provide as many as are necessary.

Wire 81 is connected to another terminal of step-by-step switch 96. Thus, wires 94 and'8l are connected to the holding coil of step-bystep switch 96.

Connected across

wires

94 and 8! is relay 98 having leads 99 and I09 respectively. Relay 93 has armature IOI which is normally away from back contact I02. Armature IIII is connected to lead 99 of the relay. From contact I02, connection I03 goes to switch I04 oi timer I05. Switch I04 has its other terminal connected by lead I06 to wire 90.

Timer I05 is provided with push-button I01. Timer I05 may be any simple time switch that will keep switch I04 closed upon actuation of push-button IN. The closure time is short and of the order of about a half a minute. This timer is provided to hold a circuit closed during the time between the deposit of two successive coins in slide 34. Witheach coin, slide 34 must be pushed in and, in order to allow for any reasonable delay in depositing a succeeding coin, timer I05 is provided to maintain acir'cuit closed after the initial coin slide operation. It is understood that slide 34 may be provided with means well known in the art to prevent operation of any of the mechanism and switches controlled by the slide such as switch 9| and timerI05 unless a coin is actually deposited into the coin slide. Thus, an idle operation of coin slide 34 should not operate any of the switches or timers.

mechanically tied together to a bank of switch dotted lines.

6 From wire 90, connection I09 is made to wire IIO. Wire IIO is connected between switch III, operated by coin slide 34, and switch I I2 in main timer II3. Switch-H2 has its other terminal, in this case the fixed contact, connected to line I I4. Main timer I I3 has second switch II5 con- .nected by lead II6 to wire H0 and further connected by lead II I to wire 94. Coin controlled switch I II has its fixed contact connected by wire II8 to step-by-step switch 90. Jumper II9 connects line switch 31 to the advancing coil of switch 96. Thus, lead H8 and jumper II9 go to the portion of step-by-step switch whcih advances the wiper to be described later. Wires 81 and 94 go to the holding coil of the step-bystep switch.

provided with trip I23 which is adapted to be initially engaged by'dog I24 on coin slide 34.

Thus, coin slide 34 when'properly loaded with a coin and actuated by a player pushes dog I24 against trip I23 and releases main timer II3 from any previous setting. Thus, for example, if main timer H3 is of the type controlled by a spring movement, trip I23 may be connected to the main spring and cause the same to unwind. After trip I23 has been operated, further movement of coin slide 34 will depress spring button I2I to start timer II 3 on a new timing cycle. On the return movement of coin slide 34, dog I24 will turn in a clockwise position to clear trip I23. It will be noted that timer I95 does not have such a trip so that, once the timer is started on a timer cycle, no means for suddenly cutting off the cycle is provided.

Step-by-step switch 96 operates wiper I26, it being understood that wiper I26 is advanced one step at a time by an energization of wires I I 3 and H9 for any continuous period of time. Thus, irrespective of how long wires I I8 and H9 are energized, wiper I20 will be moved only one step. After wires H8 and H9 have been deenergized, then the next energization will advance wiper I23 another step. As shown here, wiper 26 is normally in an olT position and may advance one step to contact I2'I or-two steps to contact I28. Con- "tact I21 is connected by wire I29 to bottom con 'tact I30 of a switch. Contact I28 is connected by wire I32 to top contact I33 of the same switch.

This switch has movable contact I3I connected by wire I34 to Wire 31. Movable contact I 3| is contacts, all actuated by knob 32 as indicated by All these switches may be set for either dual or solo play.

Before proceeding further with the'circuit, the operation of the coin controlled and time controlled portion of the system so far described will be given. Under normal conditions and assuming that the main timer is open as shown, coin controlled switches 9| and II I, switches in timers I05 and II3 and relay 98 will all be in the condition shown. Assume first that a solo game is to be desired. In that case, movable contact I3I will be in the down position against fixed contact I30. Such a game will require, for example, one

- from its off position to contact I21.

f coin. Upon the deposit of a coin in coin slide 34 and the operation of the slide, the following occurs. Switch 9| is closed, thus completing the .circuit from line wire 86 through coin switch 9| 1 to wire 94, lead 99, relay 98, lead I to line wire This causes armature |0| to be pulled up against fixed contact I02. At the same time,

small interval timer I is operated so that switch I04 is closed for a short time. Thus, a circuit from wire 86 through fuse 88, wire 90, lead'I06,= 'switch I04, lead I03, fixed contact I02, armature IIlI, lead 99, relay 98, lead I00 and line wire 81 time interval of the order of about one-quarter of a minute or longer, a through connection from line 86 to wire 94 is effectively established. This is only important for dual play.

At the same time, wires 94 and 81 energize the holding portion of step-by-step switch 96. Switch I I I, which has also been momentarily closed,-provides a circuit from wire I09 through switch III to wire 8 through the advance mechanism of step-by-step switch 96 to jumper H9, and then to line wire 81. Thus, wiper I26 will be ,moved This will complete a, circuit from line wire 81 through lead I34, movable contact I3I, fixed contact I30, lead I29, fixed contact I21, to wiper I26.

With the same movement of coin slide 34, main timer 3 has also been actuated and timer switches H2 and 5 both closed. With timer switch I I5 closed, a circuit is established from line Wire 86 through fuse 88, wire 90, wire I09, 4 -wire II6, switch II5, wire I" to wire 94. From wire 94, the circuit continues through the holding portion of step-by-step switch 96 to line wire 81. It is, thus, clear that, as long as timer switch .II5 is closed, the holding circuit for switch 96 will be continuously energized. This will prevent 'wiper I26 from returning to the off position by virtue of the opening of small timer I05 or coin controlled switches 9| and III. It is clear that,

With a solo game selected and with one coin actuation of slide 34, wiper I26 and wire I I4 will be energized for a time interval corresponding to the maximum time duration of a game, this being controlled by main timer I I3.

Assume that a dual game is to be played and that the switch selection is accordingly made. In that case, switch I3I would be in the up position bearing against contact I33. With the first coin in coin slide 34, the operation Will be the same as previously described. However, with only one coin, it will be evident that wiper I26 will be on a dead contact I21. With a second operation of slide 34, switches 9| and III will be closed again. Switch 9|, however, has no effect, since small interval timer I05 is still closed from the, first coin operation and keeps relay 98 closed. -However, the second closure of switch III will cause step-by-step switch 96 to advance wiper I26 to contact I28.

It is understood that, in the tripping of main timer I I3, switch I I I will be closed simultaneously with switch 9| during the operation of slide 34.

.Thus, the initial movement of slide 34 will open main timer 3 and switches H2 and H5, while the final movement of slide 34 will close them again and start timer 3 on a new timing cycle.

With wiper I26 at contact I28, wiper I26 will be energized from line wire 81.

Wiper I26 has wire I36 connected thereto.

{Wires II4 and I36 are the main energy supply.

wires to'the game apparatus proper exclusive of timerand coin control action. Wires H4 and I36 supply transformer primary I31 whose secondary I38 may be used to actuate motor 4| for right-hand robot 24.

Secondary I38 has one terminal connected to contact I39 of what is effectively a single pole, double throw switch controlled by handle 3|. In

actual practice, two separate switches as shown in 'contact I4I may be connected through winding 43 of motor 4|, these two windings being connected to the other terminal of secondary I38. In the neutral position of control handle 3|, motor 4| will not be energized. By throwing control handle 3| to one side, motor 4| will be energized to turn robot 24 in one direction. By reversing the control, the motor rotation will be reversed. In this way, only the direction of rotation is controlled with no attempt at controlling the speed. It is possible, however, to provide speed control means so that the speed of rotation will be a function of the amount of throw of handle 3|.

Distributing wires H4 and I36 are also connected to primary I43 of a transformer, this primary cooperating with secondary I44. Secondary I44 has terminal I45 to which are connected windings 38 and39 of motor 31 operating robot 23.

Windings

38 and 39 are connected to contacts I46 and I41 respectively cooperating with movable contact I48 controlled by handle 39. Motor 31, in addition to driving robot 23, also drives actuating finger I58. Finger I56 may be driven either at the same speed as robot 23 or at a reduced speed. Finger I56 cooperates with snap switch I5I having terminals I52 and I53 connected to

windings

88 and 39 respectively. Snap switch I5I has movable contact I54 adapted to connect either of contacts I52 or I53 to contacts I55. Snap switch I5I, in effect, is a single pole, double throw switch. Contacts I55 are connected bylead I56 back to contact I51 of one bank of switches controlled by game selection knob 32. Contact I51 cooperates with movable contact I58 which is connected to terminal I59 of secondary I44. Movable contact I58 can also cooperate with fixed contact I60 connected to movable con .tact I48 operated by handle 30. 7

As clearly indicated, fixed contact I60 is fo dual play, while fixed contact I51 is for solo play.

In the case of dual play, handle 30 controls the motor driven robot 23 in the same manner as control 3|. In the solo position, control 30 is inoperative. When playing solo, finger I50 oper- The amount of travel of the robot in one direction may be made equal to, less than, or greater than the amount of travel in the reverse direction.

Line H4 is connected to transformer primary I62 whose secondary I63 has terminals I64 and I I65. I Terminal I64 isconnected to movable contact I66 of ball switch 80. This contact cooper- 76.

ates with; fixed contact |61, which fixed contact is connected to the advancing coil of step-bystep selector switch I18. Selector switch I may be of the same type as switch 96. The advancing coil circuit is completed by a jumper to wire I12.

Terminals I64 and I65 are connected by leads Ill and I12 to switch III! for holding purposes. Switch I18 drives movable contact I13 over a bank of contacts whose number depends upon the maximum number of balls which may be used in a game. Assuming that the balls are projected on the field a maximum of ten times for one game, movable wiper I13 may cooperate with ten fixed contacts I14. in addition to. the original ofi contact.

Alternate contacts I14 are connected together by wire I15, this wire going to solenoid 68. The remaining contacts are dead. Solenoid 60. has its other terminal connected by lead I18 to fixed contact [11. of a switch having movable contact I18. This switch is mechanically. tied to, movable contact I58, so. that knob 32 actuates, them together. Only the dual position of contact I18; is used. Wiper I13 is connected by lead I88 to transformer terminal I54.

Line H4 is also connected to primary I83, whose secondary I83, energizes ball feed motor 83. In order to control theenergization of trans,- formerprimaries, I82 and I82 and determine the maximum number of ba ls Which may be fed for one game, the following may be provided. Wiper I85. traveling with wiper I13v is driven by step-by- Ste-p.5w-itc-h lie; Wip r I85 may pl y. v r a series. or fixed contacts, I861. An oil contact or position is shown. The number of fixed. contacts, I88- is, equal tothe number of fixed contacts; I14. As shown, ten. areproyicledlv permitting a maximum of ten balls to, a game. Cooperating with any desired one of fixed contacts I88 is connection I88 going to. relay I99. This connectionmay be readily changed. Connection I88 is also. con: nected to. fixed fiorward contact I9I of the relay. Relay- I19D has armature I92; connected by wire- I98 to main distributing wirev I36, Jumper, I94; connects, wiper I85 to. wire. I93. Relay I99 has back contact I95; connected by wire, I95; to, junc-v tion I91 connected to, transformer primaries I82 and I822. Relay I98- is connected by: Wire I98. to wire II4.

Wires H4 and I 38 are also connected; to two; scoring systems, 289, and 2M, only one 0t,- which, is shown in detail. Thusthewires. are connected to; transformer primary 292. Secondary 2,83 has one terminal connected through switch 28,4 mounted in; ballreturn chute 45. As shown in Figure 2. switches 204 and, 284'- are mounted, on chutes 48. and 48; respectively. Each switch hasspring finger;- 295 extending inside the chute and: actuated by a ball passing the same to close the switchmomentarily. As shown in-Figure 8; switch 2,94is

connected to step-by-step switch 288, the return.

circuit being made by jumper; 2,0 1 and; lead 288;" ck. o, seconda 3- a ZIIIccQQp IateSivJ ie iumbe of a ps 21A-w l ep nupon he ei mum b rbel sto a s me.

ene at on ofi e me anparatusisas follows, Assuming that'a solo game is-.chosen,andc coin. slide 34-;hasbeen operated once, as. pointed out-pneviously, distributing wires I14 and I36 will be energized. Thus, transformer primary I31 will be energized. This will permit control 3| to 0p.- erate robot 24.

Transformer primary I43 will be energized and secondary I44 will energize a circuit including movable contact I58 and fixed contact I51. In the solo position of control handle 32, control '39 will be inefiective due to dead contact I88. Instead, a circuit from secondary I44 through terminal I59. movable contact I58, fixed contact I51 and wire I58 will be established. to snap switch I5I'. De? pending upon the position of this switch,

windings

38 and 99 will be alternately energized. It is clear that the direction of motor rotation should be so related to the polarity of connections to switch S5I as to provide for reversal of motor operation at the end of the travel in any one direction.

Wiper I will be in the off position so that relay I will remain in the position shown in the drawing; Thus, from distributing wire I36 through wire I93 to wire I94 and wiper I85, the circuit will be dead as far as the winding of relay I98 is concerned. At the same time, however-, a circuit from wire I38 through Wire I93, armature I92, back contact I95, wire I96, junction I91, and thence through windings I62 and I82 in parallel will be established to distributing wire I I 4. With transformer primary I82 energized, ball feed motor- 8.3: will operate and feed balls to the playing field. With each ball fed, ball switch 88 will be actuated. The actuation of ball switch 88, closing contacts I56 and I61, will actuate step-by step switch I18 and advance wipers I13 and: I85. Inasmuch as a. solo game. is being played, movable contact I13 will be inefiective. During an en-- tire game, leads I'll and I12 are continuously energized for; holding, switch I18. However, solenoid; 69; will; not, be, energized due to. dead contact I 11;, and all balls will be fed in the samev manner through dischargeopening 53.

As shown in: Figure 8, when eight balls have been fedand; wiper I85 completes a circuit: with connection I88; relay I90, willbe operated. Thus, the relay operating circuit will go from wire I36: to wire I93, thencetowire I94, to wiper I85, to connection I88, through the winding of relay I90; thence by wire I98; to wire II4; Uponenergization, of relay I98, armature I92; is pulled. up: against contact I9I. A holding circuitfor: relay I90 is established tending, to maintain the relay; in a holding, position throughout the remainder of that game period. This. holding position circuit-may be traced from wire I33 to wire I-93 a rmature I92, contact I91, through the'windinaof relay I98, wire I98 to wire II4. Upon; actuation of relay. I98, the energizing circuit for transformerprimaries I52. and, I82 is broken. Thus, the ball feed motor stops. Step-by-step-switch I18 will, be released to return the-wipers to off posi-- tion. However, it should be noted that relay lllfl will hold the armature against contact. I'9I- until main timer, I I3 opens.

Throughout, the. game, transformer primary 282 of scorer 288 is energized. Secondary 2.83. supplies energy to the scoring system; This scoring system comprises step-by-step switch 206 which. advances wiper 2H1 once for each. time switch 284' is operated, Since switch.2Il, 4..is.op,er. -v ated once for every ball inreturn chute 4.6, it will. be evident that the condition of step-by-step switch 286 will be an indication of the score for that one particular side. Each fixed conta ct2l2, is connected to an individual scoring lamp 2I.4. The lamp energizing circuit may-be traced from secondary 283,- lead 2II- and wiper 210, through whichever fixed contact 2 I 2 the Wiper happens to be on, and thence through corresponding lamp 2| 4 to common return 2I3 and back to secondary 203. As clearly indicated in Figure 1, each scoring lamp may illuminate a number.

It is understood that scorer I duplicates scorer 200 as far as circuit details are concerned. Other scoring means may be provided if desired.

Assuming that a dual game is played, the only difierence in the system will be as follows. Movable contact I58 will bear against fixed contact I60. Thus, control for robot 23 will be operative, and the control will be exercised in exactly the same manner as in connection with robot 24. It is clear that snap switch I5I will be inoperative under such conditions.

. With dual game, movable contact I18 bears against fixed contact I11 and step-by-step switch I10 will advance wiper I13 alternately from dead to live fixed contacts I14 as balls actuate switch 88. When a live contact is encountered, the circuit from wiper I13 will be completed through solenoid 6i! and return wire I16 to fixed contact I11. Upon energization of solenoid 60, shutter is operated, causing a ball to go past discharge opening 53 and be discharged through opening 54-. This results in the ball being discharged to the left of the median line of field I4.

The next ball will cause switch 80 to operate again and advance wiper I13 to a dead contact.

This will mean that solenoid will be dead and a ball will be discharged through opening 53. Thus, the calls will be alternately discharged through

openings

53 and 54.

It is immaterial whether switch 80 is operated by a particular ball in time to operate the shut- I ter for that same ball or succeeding ball. It is,

of course, desirable that the operation be consistent. Successive balls will be alternately discharged through the two openings on opposite sides of the center line of the field.

If a game has been finished before timer II3 opens the circuit and a new game is desired, then coin slide 34 may be actuated to release timer I I3. This deenergizes wires I I4 and I36, and the various step-by-step switches will return to off position.

Instead of small interval timer I05, other means for holding switch 9| closed for an equivalent time may be provided. Thus, dash pot means on switch 9| may be provided for keeping this switch closed long enough to accommodate two operations of coin slide 34.

It is, of course, possible to provide a plurality of robots as a team to take the place of one robot on each side of the playing field. In such case,

all the robots on one team would be moved simultaneously, either in the same direction or in different directions. Instead of rotation, they may be moved along the field for a distance and then returned.

It will be apparent that my invention makes possible the construction of a game apparatus providing considerable amusement and requiring substantial skill.

What is claimed is:

1. In a game apparatus of the kind described, a playing field having opposed playing positions and having goals beyond said positions, a rotatable robot at each playing position, each robot including a means for intercepting a ball when said robot is in proper position, electrically actuat'ed means for supplying at least one ball on i said field and initially directing the same toward driving'one robot, 2; second electric motor for driving the other robot, a circuit for said first motor including a first manual control so that when said circuit is energized said one robot including manually controllable switching means having solo and dual playing positions for disabling either the second manual control or automatic reversing means respectively so that when said switching means is in condition for solo play. the manual control for the second robot is ineffective and the automatic reversing means is effective during a game and when the switching means is in condition for dual play, both manual controls are effective to control the two robots during the game with the automatic reversing means being ineffective.

2. The game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ball-supplying means supplies a number of balls, wherein means are provided for initially directing when operative during a game successive balls alternately toward one or the other playing positions, means interlocked with said selector switching means for energizing only one of said ball-directing means during a, game, the means for directing all balls toward one playing position being operative for solo play and the means for directing successive balls alternately toward one or other position being operative during dual play.

3. In a game apparatus of the kind described, means defining a playingfield having opposed playing positions and having goals beyond said playing positions, a rotatable robot at each playing position, each robot having means for intercepting a ball, an electric motor for one robot, a second electric motor for the second robot, means for controlling said motors so that said robots may be turned in one or other direction as desired, chutes communicating with each goal for receiv-- ing balls, said chutes meeting in a common dis charge region and beingso disposed that said balls roll toward said common discharge region, ball feeding means including a rotatable plate having a series of apertures symmetrically disposed around the center of rotation, stationary plates on opposite sides of said rotatable plate, one stationary plate having a ball intake aperture communicating with said chute discharge region and adapted to register with an aperture in said rotatable plate at periodic intervals, said; other stationary plate having two discharge apertures, said apertures having cooperating means: for directing balls toward said opposed playing; positions respectively, shutter means cooperating, with a selected discharge aperture for releasing a. ball therethrough, means for controlling said-1 shutter means so all balls during an entire game are discharged through said one aperture, means. for controlling the shutter means so that duringan entire game balls are discharged alternately through one or through the other discharge apertures, and manual means for initiating a, game and selecting Which of the two shutter control:

means shall be operative during an entire game.

4. In a game apparatus of the kind described, means defining a playing field having opposed playing positions, opposed movable robots at said playing positions, electrical means for operating said robots, manual means for controlling onehalf of the robots to move the same into various playing positions, a second manual means for controlling the remaining half of the robots for moving the same into various positions, electrically controlled means for automatically moving the remaining half of the robots cyclically into various positions, manual selector means, a coin slide, switch means operatively coupled to said coin slide, a stepping switch controlled by said last named switch means, said stepping switch having off, solo and dual game positions respectively and. adapted to be stepped up from an initial off position by successive coin slide movements to solo and dual game positions respectively, and means controlled by the joint action of said selector means and said stepping switch for selectively preparing operating circuits for the second manual means and automatic means respectively whereby one movement 01 said coin slide will advance said stepping switch to a solo game position and together with a solo selection by said manual selector means will initiate a solo game where a player will operate only the first manual means witl the automatic means operating against the player and whereby two movements of said coin slide will advance said stepping switch to a dual game position and together with a dual game selection by said manual selector means will initiate a dual game where two players may operate said two manual means against each other, said second manual means and automatic means not being operative simultaneously during any one game.

JERRY C. KOCI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS