US2581644A

US2581644A - Coin released skill game apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2581644A
Application number: US93100A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chester A Frick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-05-13
Filing date: 1949-05-13
Publication date: 1952-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1969-01-08

Description

Jan. 8, 1952 Q FRlCK 2,581,644

00m RELEASED SKILL AME APPARATUS Filed May 13. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. CHESTEQ A7. FQ/C/d Jan. 8, 1952 c, FRlcK 2,581,644

COIN RELEASED SKILL GAME APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

CHESTEE 7. FQ/CK 77 7' GENE Jan. 8, 1952 c. A. FRICK COIN RELEASED SKILL GAME APPARATUS 3 SheatsSheet 3 Filed May 15, 1949 INVENTOR. CHESTEIQ 1Q. FQ/CK Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT QFF QE COIN RELEASED SKILL GAME APPARATUS I Chester A. Frick, Glendale, .Calif. Application May 3, 1943, Serial No. 93,100

This invention relates to amusement devices and particularly to a coin-released device. in which the player is required to exercise consider.- able manual skill to achieve a required result upon which he may be rewarded by a return of the amount put into the machine to release it. The machine sets up a test for the degree of muscular coordination possessed whichis a measure of the skill of the player and nothing in its operation is left to chance. In general, the play:- ing area comprises a hemispherical compartment through which a manipulating member extends having means to engage a series of cubesor other flat sided playing. pieces contained in the-compartment and by .means of which the playing pieces. maybe picked up and placed one support which is delicately balanced. The objectof the game is to stack a required number of these pieces on the support Without causing it to be unbalanced. The support is so connected with electrically operated means that if the unbalance'exceeds a predetermined amount, an operating circuit is closed causing the machine to be rendered inoperative until again released for playing by insertion of another coin. The sole determining factor of whether a player obtains a reward for his attempt is his personal skill in achieving the requiredresult. It is allied to coin released-ma.- chinesfor testing physical strength but instead of measuring the limit of some particular muscular actionsuch as gripping, striking, or pulling, the device presents a challenge to the players steadiness of hand and his coordination of eye and hand as will be apparent from the detailed description of ,onemode of execution of the invention contained in the following specification; ref.- erence being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a representative form of the device adapted to be placed on a floor, a portion thereof being broken away to shows locking means,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, staggered sectional view taken on the line 2. -2 of Fig. l and showing the condition prevailing whenthe objective of the game or challenge presented to the player has been successfully achieved.

Fig. 3 is a still further enlarged fragmentary section taken on the same line as Fig. 2 but showhe. the osi i n c upie by the moving parts the has of Fi 3,

29 c i (01. arse-1) Fig. 5-is a fragmentary View of the resetting means shown in Fig. 4 with the parts in the posi: tion occupied at th in i o th r set in movement,

Fi 6 is a fragm ntary b t om p an view at t over s wi the ocking m ans o e ntin ntim ly actuation o e w n tur po tion 9f the device,

Fi 7 s a op la ew o the me hanism within th d ic as v ed wh the cove -is removed,

Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of the device. and

F g. s a f a m n ec ion taken on. the lin 959, Of Fie- 7 to show the c ve orhih means- H In he ill s rated em od n oiihe inve ion, the suppo t g str cture c pr ses a base 1 o frusto -pyramidal form on which is mounted a straight sided case or housing 2 having a bottom 3 and s d s 4; 5 15 a d 1 on which. tain of he oerat ngelements remounted s wi lbo ater d cr in de ail Th top o th cas s closed by acover element 8 detachably secured thereto by latch elements 5, 9 a cess to which may be had through t e oor 0 in h si l ment 5- Th s o r als p v s ac ess to aremo able coin receiving tray or box ll resting on the bot:- tom 3 of the case and positioned beneath the coin discharge chute l2 of a coin actuated'slide element 13 attached to and extendingthrough the'wall 4 above the door It. A-key operated lock 14 serves to secure the door in closed position.

The cover 8 has a large circular opening [5 ex.- tending therethrough and mounted on the upper face of the cover is a ring. [6 of electricall-yxnonr conductive material securedthereto by a series of bolts l7. As best shown in'Fig.-2..th-is ring has an inner. diameter which is considerably larger than the opening [5 and is spacedfrom the outer diameter of a second ring [8 otelectrie cally HOHrCDIl-dllCfiVB material which is rigidly secured to the upper .face of: the cover 8 :and slightly overlaps the opening IS. The outer :upper corner of the ring i8 is beveled and supports" the outer lower edge or" ametalbottom member 18 of frustor-conic'al form, the upper smaller diameterof. which is considerably-smaller thanthe opening. [5 and provides an operating clearance for the supporting means ofv a table element-20 which will later be described in more detail.

Mounted on the upper face of: the. ring I6 is the flan e 2| of a vertically disposed metal band 22 to the upper inner surface ofwhich issecured a relatively heavy metal band 23. .Dis-posed within the band 22 is a metal sidewall element 240:

smaller end resting on the upper face of the ring |6 substantially adjacent to the inner diameter thereof and with its upper larger end carrying an insulating element of inverted U-section engaged by the lower edge of the band 23. A dome 26 of transparent material is mounted on the upper edge of the band 23 and is secured thereon by a series of screws 21 extending through the upper end of a metal band 28 which is secured to the inner face of the band 23 by screws 29. The dome is provided with an opening 3|} at its top in which is mounted a rubber grommet 3| in which a rod 32 of non-conductive material is loosely mounted. The rod within the dome carries a hook element 33 to engage the playing pieces 33 as will be later described, and a stop collar 34 to limit the extent of endwise movement through the grommet. At its outer end the rod carries a knob element 35 to facilitate manipulation while operating the device. In the form here illustrated, the playing piecesare metal cubes having centrally disposed holes in each face adaptedto be engaged by the hook 33 (see Fig. 2).

The table element 20 is mounted on the upper end of a tubular metal support 36 and, preferably, is disposed slightly eccentric thereto. The support 35 at its lower end tapers to a small flat seat 31 engaged by the upper face of a metal uplifting element 38 provided with a guide pin 39 which loosely extends into the interior of the support 36 (see Fig.2).

The lifting element includes a downwardly extending portion 40 which is seated ina nonconductive bushing 4| in the upper end of a push rod 42 mounted for vertical reciprocation in a bearing'block 43' forming part of the frame structure for the table operating means. The bearing block at one side is provided with a vertical slot 44 through which extends a laterally disposed rod '45 one end of which is threaded into the push rod 46 adapted to operate a switch 41 in the manner and for a purpose to be later described in detail.

The'table operating means is mounted on a block 48 fixed to the case bottom 3 and the frame structure of this means comprises a horizontal base plate 49 of flat rectangular section and a pair of

side members

50, 50 of vertically disposed rectangular section extending along the opposite side edges of the base plate 49; the block 43 being mounted on the upper edges of the side mem-- bers' and secured thereto by plates 50, 50' and screws 43. Slidably mounted on the. guideway formed by the base plate and the side members is anactuating element comprising a. pair of rectangular bars 5|, 5| connected together in spaced relation at theiropposite ends. One end of the actuating element is connected by a screw 52 to .the slide l3 for actuation thereby and a pair of

guide elements

53, 53 fixed to the inner faces of the side members 5|), 50 engage the upper faces of the actuating element members 5|, 5| to hold them against any movement other than endwise.

Pivotally mounted on the actuating element adjacent the distal end thereof and disposed between the members 5|, 5| is a swinging cam element 54 normally urged by a spring 55 into engagement with a stop pin 56 as best shown in Fig. 2. When a coin is inserted in the slide mechanism 3, the slide can be moved into the case and this will move the actuating element with it causing the end of the cam 54 to engage the roller .51 carried by the push rod 42 and to be caused to swing against the bias of the spring to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and thence under and past the roller at which time the spring 55 will swing it back into its normal position. Then as the slide I3 is pulled back to its starting position the curved upper surface of the cam will engage the roller 51 (see Fig. 5), and elevate the push rod 42 until the notch 58 in the side thereof is engaged by the latch 59 slidably mounted in the block 43. Externally of the block 43, the latch is connected by a pin 60 to one end of the armature 6| of a solenoid 52 secured to a pair of

bars

53, 63 attached to the sides of the block 43 and extending toward the rear of the device (see Fig. 7). Adjacent the connection with the end of the latch, the armature 6| carries a laterally disposed cross bar 64, the ends of which are engaged by a pair of tension springs 65, 65 which at their other ends are attached to pins 66, 66 carried by the

bars

63, 63 and which tend constantly to move the armature and latch toward the push rod 42 to insure the latching action when the push rod is raised by the cam 54.

Mounted on the upper face of the block 43 and insulated therefrom is a metal sleeve 6'! disposed concentrically with respect to the push rod 42 and the lifting element 38 carried thereby. A spring. contact member 58 is mounted on the interior of the sleeve and is insulated therefrom and is positioned to be contacted by the contact point 69 on the lifting element 38 only when that element is raised to the latched position of the push rod shown in Fig. 2. Exteriorly of the sleeve, the contact 68 is electrically connected to a binding post 10 to which certain leads of the electrical system are connected as will be described in connection with the description of Fig. 8. The exterior of the sleeve 61 carries a binding post H to which other leads of the electrical system are connected as will also be described in connection with Fig. 8/

The coin return means includes a coin holding chute or tube 12 adapted to hold a stack of coins and having its lower end spaced from the supporting base 13 a distance slightly greater than the thickness of one coin. Pivotally mounted on the base 13 is a lever 14 one end of which is adapted to pass beneath the tube 12 and to push a coin therefrom into the hopper or chute 15 extending through the wall 4 of the case. The heads of screws 16 and TI threaded into the base 13 serve as stops to limit the extent of movement of the lever 14 and a tension spring I8 normally holds the lever retracted from beneath the tube 12 and against the stop screw ll. Preferably, the coin engaging edge of the lever 14 is slightly concave to prevent side-wise movement of a coin when engaged thereby. The opposite end of the lever 14 is connected by a rod 19 with the armature of a solenoid 8| mounted on the bottom 3 of the case. The armature also carries an upwardly extending arm 82 adapted upon energizing the solenoid and movement of the armature to engage an actuating arm 83 of a normally open microswitch 84. Additionally, the armature also carries a laterally extending striker 85 adapted to contact a bell 86 mounted on the wall I of the case. r

The bottom l9 and side wall of the playing area are connected in series with the secondary coil 81 of a transformer 88 and with the field coil 89 of a solenoid mounted on the under side of the cover 8. The playing pieces are of metal and so long as one of them is in contact with the bottom l9 and side wall 24, the circuit tom 19 and sidewall 24, the magnetic pull on K the armature 9I. will cease and the tension spring 94 attached to the stop plate 9| will move the stop plate so that its perforation is in line with'the perforations in the lock mechanism, permitting the button to be pressed downwardly and tocontact and close a-snap switch 95 carried by a bracket 96 on the upper portion of the front wall' 4. Closing this switch "completes a circuit through the solenoid 8| causing the armature thereof to move-the lever I4 with resultant discharge of a coin into the chute or hopper I5. Since the cover 8 and the parts carried thereby must occasionally be removed from the case for inspection and adjustment of the parts within the case and since the solenoid 89 and its armature as well as the bottom and side wall 24 are electrically connected to the parts mounted in the case, it" has beenfound expedient to employ afour contact plug and socket connectionineluding asocket 91 mounted on the bottom 3 of the case. As is usual with such plug and socket devices the inter-engaging parts are so arranged that .they can not be improperly put together. Additionally, if desired, a lamp 98 may be included in the circuit and mounted within the case so that light therefrom will indicate that the. device is ready for operation.

Turning now to Fig. 8, one side 99 of the power lead extends through the primary coil I of the transformer 88 from which a lead |0I extends to the binding post I0. A second lead I02 extends from the power lead 99 through the plug 91 to one side of the snap switch 95 from the other side of which, a lead I03 extends through the plug '91 to one side of the solenoid 8| and a lead I04 extends from the other side of the solenoid 8| to the binding post 10. The light 98 is connected in series in a lead I05 extending from the lead I02 to the binding post Ill. The solenoid 02 is connected in series with the lead I06 and the binding post II by leads I06 and I01 and the switch is connected in series between the binding posts in and II by leads I08 and I09; Leads H0 and II I connect the switch 41 with the other DO line .2. Also, as previously mentioned, the leads II 3 and II 4 which connect the sidewall 24 and bottom I9 of the playing area with the secondarycoil 81 of the transformer and the coil of the solenoid 89 extend through the separable plug connection 91.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Assuming that the machine is in the condition shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, the player inserts a coin in the socket in the slide I3 and pushes the slide into the'machine as far as it will go, causingthe cam 54 to swing under the roller 51 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and then to be swung back in its normal position as soon as it has cleared the roller. The slide is then pulled forward as far as it will go and the cam face engaging the roller 51 will lift it and the push rod 42 as well as the parts, including the table supported thereby until the latch '59 is moved into the notch 58 by the

spring

65, 65, locking these parts in elevated position. The continued forward movement of'the slide locks it"against further movement into the case untillkeyed by the insertion of another coin. This elevation of the table 20 also brings the spring contact member into engagement with the contact point and simultaneously the rod 45 will swing the arm 40 to close the switch 41. When the parts are in this position, current will flow through the lamp circuit comprising leads 99, I05, binding post I0, lead II 0, switch 41 and leads III and H2. The transformer primary coil I00 is also energized by the circuit including leads 99 and IN, the binding post I0 and leads I I0, I II and H2 with the interposed switch 41. The transformer secondary circuit is connected in series with the field coil 89 of the solenoid so long as at least one of the pieces 33' is in contact with the bottom wall I9 and side wall 24 of the playing area and this will cause the armature 9| to maintain the stop plate out of registry with the perforations in the lock mechanism 92 to render it inope erative.

Due to the fact that the lifting element 38 is insulated from the rest of the mechanism no cur-. rent can flow from the binding post 70 to the binding post 'iI while the parts are in this position. The player then attempts to place the pieces one by one on the table 20-without causing it to tip. If' it becomes unbalanced sufliciently' to cause the side of the support 30 to contact the sleeve 61, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, current immediately flows from the binding post I0 through the

contacts

68 and 69, thence through the support 36 and sleeve 61 to the binding post II and thence through the support 36 and sleeve Bl to the binding post "II and thence through the solenoid 62 and lead I06 to the lead IGI. The armature 6| of the solenoid 62 will pull the latch 59 out of the notch 58 in the push rod and the combined weight of such pieces as are not tipped off of the table by the initial tilting thereof and of the table and its support will cause the table and its lifting means to drop to the position shown in Fig. 3 at which time the upper inner edge of the sleeve 6'! will cause the support 38 to assume its normal upright position. This movement opens the

contacts

68 and 69 and opens the switch 97 and the machine is thus rendered ready for the next operation. I

Assuming now that the player is successful in stacking all but one of the pieces 33"on the table 20 without tilting it, he then lifts the last piece clear of the side and bottom walls 24an d I9 breaking the transformer secondary circuit and allowing the spring 96 to release the locking mechanism. He then presses the button 93 the shank whereof closes the switch 95, whereupon a circuit is closed extending from the leads 99 and I02 through the switch to solenoid 8| and lead I04 to the binding post I0 thence through leads I|0, switch 47 and lead III to lead H2. The armature 80 will cause a coin to be dis charged by the means previously described and incident to that movement, the arm 82 will'close switch 84 which is in series with theybinding post II and therefore will operate to energize solenoid 62 in the same manner as though the table had been tipped and set the machine for the next player.

While in the foregoing specification, I have described and illustrated one mode of execution of my invention, I do not intend thereby to limit myself to the exact form disclosed, and the in: vention includes all such modifications of parts and of the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1.;In a: ,coin-released game of skill, a base, a

wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing aplurality of fiat sided playing elements mounted on 'said base, a manually oper-- able hook freely mounted in an opening in the wall structure adapted to engage said elements, a vertically movable balanced table member projecting through the bottom wall of said play ing area, a coin released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch carried by said base and to support said table in elevated position; and means effective to release said latch with incident dropping of said table when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent by improper placing of said playing pieces thereon.- 2. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, a hollow base enclosing operating devices therefore, an enclosed playing field disposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shaped top portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electrically conductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing field and normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connection between said side and bottom walls means extending through said dome for transporting said playing elements to a supporting surface out of electrical contact with said walls, coin released devices operable to render said game operative for playing, a manually releasable, electrically operated coin return means including electrically operated devices operably connected with said coin return means effective to prevent operation of said return means when electrical connection between side and bottom walls through one or more of said playing elements exists.

3. In an electrically operated, coin-released game of skill, an enclosed playing area comprising a transparent, top portion having an opening at the top thereof, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall, an opening in said bottom wall, a vertically movable balanced table member extending through said opening in said bottom wall, coin-released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch effective to lock said table in elevated position, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements in said playing area, means extending through said top portion for transporting said elements to said table, and

electrically operated means efiective to drop said table if said table should be unbalanced and tilted to a predetermined extent by the incorrect placement of said elements thereon.

4. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill an enclosed playing area comprising a transparent top portion having an opening therethrough, a circular metal side wall and a frusto-conical metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall, a plurality of metal playing elements in said area and normally caused to contact said side wall by the slope of said botf tom wall and thereby to complete an electrical circuit between said walls, a vertically movable balanced table member extending through said opening in said bottom wall, coin-released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch effective to lock said table in elevated position, means extending through said top portion for transporting said'elements to said table,'and electrically operated means efiective to drop said table if said table should be unbalanced and tilted to a predetermined extent by the incorrect placement of said elements thereon.

5. In an electrically operated, coin-released game of skill, an enclosed playing area comprising a transparent top portion having an opening at the top thereof, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall, an opening in said bottom wall, a vertically movable balanced table member extending through said opening in said bottom wall, coinreleased, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch elfective to lock said table inelevated position, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements in said playing area,

means extending through said top portion for.

transporting said elements to said table, electrically operated means effective to drop said table if said table should be unbalanced and'tilted to a predetermined extent by the incorrect placement of said elements thereon, and a manually releasable coin return means including electrically controlled devices effective to prevent operation of said return means except when electrical connection between said bottom and side walls is interrupted by the removal of all playing elements from contact therewith.

6. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, an enclosed playing area comprising a transparent top portion having an opening therethrough, a circular metal side wall and a frusto-conical metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall, a plurality of metal playing elements in said area and normally caused to contact said side wall by the slope of said bottom wall and thereby to complete an electrical circuit between said walls, a vertically movable balanced table member extending through said opening in said bottom wall, coin-released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch effective to lock said table in elevated position, means extending through said top portion for transporting said elements to said table, electrically operated means effective to drop said table if said table should be unbalanced and tilted to a predetermined extent by the incorrect placement of said elements thereon, and a manually releasable coin return means including electrically controlled devices effective to prevent operation of said return means except when electrical connection between said bottom and side walls is interrupted by the removal of all playing elements from contact therewith.

7. In a coin-released game of skill, a wall struc: ture defining an enclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat sided playing elements, a manually operable hook freely mounted in an opening in the wall structure constructed and arranged to engage and transport said elements, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operable means for rendering the game operative for playing comprising a coin released manually operable element, a cam connected to and reciprocated by said element, a frame structure including guide means for a vertically reciprocable push rod disposed above the path of travel of said cam, an electrically conductive, table supporting element carried by and insulated from said push rod, a metal sleeve carried by and insulated from said guide means and disposed concentrically with respect to said push rod, electrical contact means arranged to be closed when said push rod is at its highestposition, a spring biased latch eflective to lock said push rod when raised by said cam, a normally open switch mechanically connected to said push rod and positioned to be closed when the push rod is elevated by said cam,-a solenoid attached to said'latch, electrical leads affording ameans of connection to a source of electrical energy and other leads connecting said first leads with said contact means, sleeve, switch and solenoid arranged so that in'the event said table is tilted sufiiciently to contact said sleeve, a. circuit will be closed throughsaid solenoid and thearmature thereof will be caused to release said latch and allow the push rod and table to drop and render the game inoperative until reset by insertion of another coin,

. ,8. 'In an electrically operated coin released game of skill, a hollow base portion, a removable cover on said base having a central opening therethrough, an enclosed playin field mounted on said cover comprising a transparent top portion having an opening therethrough, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall and having a central-ly disposed opening in alignment with the opening in said cover,.a series of metal cubes in said playing fieldhaving holes or sockets in the sides thereof, a rod extending through the opening in said top portion having a hook adapted to engage the sockets in said cubes for lifting the same, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting. through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operable means for elevating said table, va spring biased latch operable to lock said table in elevated position and release means connected to withdraw said latch from table supporting position when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extentby improper placing of said playing pieces thereon.

9. In an electrically operated coin released game of skill, a hollow base portion, a removable cover on said base having a central opening therethrough, an enclosed playing field mounted on said cover comprising a transparent top por tion having an opening therethrough, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electrically insulated from said side wall and having. a cen-' trally disposed opening in. alignment with the opening in said cover, a series of. metal cubes'in isaid playing field'having holes or sockets in the sides thereof, a rod extending through the open- ;ing insaid top portion having a hook adapted to engagethe sockets in said cubes for lifting the same, coin released devices operable to render said game operative for playing, a manually rep leasable coin return means and electrically operated: devices connected thereto effective to prevent operation of said control means when electrical connection between side and bottom Walls through one or more of said playin elements exists.

. 10. In an electrically operated, coin-released game of skill, an enclosed playing area compris- :ing.a transparent top portion having an opening therethrouglna circular metal side wall and a frusto conicahmetal bottom wall electrically insulatedfrom said side wall, a:plurality oimetal playing elements in said area and normally causedte-contact said sidewall by the slope-of said bottom wall and thereby to complete an electrical.circuitbetween said walls, a freely dirigible, manually operable arm element mounted in and extending throughssaid opening and terminating in a hook operable by said arm to engage and transport said playing elements to a location in said playing-area inwhich said playing elements areout of electricalcontact with said side walls, a playing element supporting surface mounted in said playing area constituting said location, coin released: devices operableto render said game operative for playing, a manually controlled coin return means and electrically operated devices connected thereto efiective to prevent operation of said return means when electrical connection between side and bottom walls through one. or more of said playing elements exists.

11. In anelectrically operated coin released game of skill, a hollow base portion, a removable cover on said base having a central opening therethrough, an enclosed playing field mounted on said cover comprising a transparent top portion having an opening therethrough, a metal side wall and a metal bottom wall electrically in.- sulated from said side wall and having a centrally disposed opening in alignment with the opening in said cover, a series of metal cubes in said playing field having holes or sockets in the sides thereof, a rod extending through the opening in said top portion having a hook adapted .to engage the sockets in said cubes for lifting the same, a table in said playing field having a downwardly extending portion loosely engaging said supporting element, operating means comprising a. coin released manually operable element'a cam connected to and reciprocated by said element, a frame structure including guide means for a vertically reciprocable push rod disposed above the pathof travel of said earn, an electrically conductive, table supporting element carried by and insulated from'said push rod, a metal sleeve carried by and insulated from said guide means anddisposed concentrically with respect to said pushrod, electrical contact means arrangedwto be closed when said push rod is at'its highest position, a spring biased latch effective to lock said push rod when raised by saidcam, a normally open-switch mechanically connected to said push rod and adapted to be closed when the push rod is elevated by said cam, a solenoid attached to said latch, electrical leads affording a means of connection to a source of electrical energy and other leads connecting said first leads with said contact means, sleeve, switch and solenoid arranged so that in the event said table is tilted sufficiently to contact said sleeve, a circuit will be closed through said solenoid and the armature thereof will be caused to release said latch and allow the push rod and table to drop and render the game inoperative until reset by insertion of another coin.

12. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, ahollow base enclosing operating devices therefore, an enclosed playing field disposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent,-dome-shaped top portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electrically conductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing field andnormally effective to maintain electricallyv conductive connection between said side and bottom walls, means extending through said dome. for transporting said playing elements to a surface removed from said walls, coin-released devices operable to render said game operative for playing comprising a coin released manually operable element, a cam connected to and reciprocatedby said element. a frame structure includings uide 'means for a vertically reciprocable push rod disposed above the, path of travel of said cam, an electrically conductive, table supporting element carried by and insulated from said guide means and disposed concentrically with respect to said push rod, electrical contact means arranged to be closed when said push rod is at its highest position, a spring biased latch effective to lock said push rod when raised by said cam, a normally open switch mechanically connected to said push rod and arranged to be closed when the push rod is elevated by said cam, a solenoid attached to said latch, electrical leads afiording a means of connection to a source of electrical en ergy and other leads connecting said first leads with said contact means, sleeve, switch and solenoid arranged so that in the event said table is tilted sufiiciently to contact said sleeve, a circuit will be closed through said solenoid and the armature thereof will be caused to release said latch and allow the push rod and table to drop and render the game inoperative until reset by insertion of another coin.

13. In an electrically operated coin-released game of skill, a base, a wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat sided playing elements, mounted on said base a manually operable hook freely mounted in an opening in the wall structure adapted to engage said elements, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch carried by said base normally effective to lock said table in elevated position and electrically operable means effective to release said latch with incident drop ing of said table when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent by improper placing of said playing pieces thereon.

14. In an electrically operated, coin rele sed game of skill, a hollow base enclosing operating devices therefore; an enclosed playing field disposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shaped top portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electrically conductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing field and normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connection between said side and bottom walls, means extending through said dome for transporting said playing elements to a position removed from said walls, coin released devices operable to render said game operative for playing, a manually releasable coin return means, and electrically operated devices effective to prevent operation of said coin return means when electrical connection between side and bottom walls through one or more of said playing elements exists; said last-named devices comprising a solenoid having the field coil thereof connected in series in an electrical circuit including said side wall said bottom wall and at least one playing element, and having its armature connected to a spring biased perforated slide element carried by guide means having a perforation disposed in alignment with a perforation in said side element when said slide element is at one extreme of its movement, a push button extending through said base to the interior thereof and having a portion positioned to pass through the perforations in said slide and guide means'when said circuit through said side and bottom walls is broken with resultant release of said armature.

12 and a switch positioned to be engaged by said push button incident to its movement through said perforations connected to operate said coin return means.

15. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, a hollow base enclosing operating devices therefore, an enclosed playing field disposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shaped top portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electrically conductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing field and normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connection between said side and bottom walls, means extending through said dome for transporting said playing elements to a non-conductive location in said playing field, coin released devices operable to render said game operative for playing, a manually releasable coin return means and electrically operated devices associated therewith elfective to prevent operation of said control means when electrical connection between side and bottom walls through one or more of said playing elements exists; said last-named devices comprising a solenoid having the field coil thereof connected in series in an electrical circuit including said side wall said bottom wall and at least one playing element and having its armature connected to a spring biased perforated slide element carried by guide means havingaperforation disposed to be in alignment with the perforation in said slide element when the latter is moved to one extreme of its movement, a push button extending through said base to the interior thereof and having a .portion adapted to pass through the perforations in said slide and guide means when said circuit through said side and bottom Walls is broken with resultant release of said armature, a switch positioned to be engaged by said push button incident to its movement through said perforations, a second solenoid connected to said switch for actuation thereby effective to operate said coin return devices, and operated by said coin return devices effective to render said game inoperative for play.

16. In a coin-released game of skill, a base, a wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing a plurality of flat sided playing elements mounted on said base, a manually operable hook freely mounted in=an opening in the wall structure adapted to engage and transport said elements, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch carried by said base and normally effective to support said table in elevated position, means effective to release said latch when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent by improper placing of said playing pieces thereon, and manually releasable coin return devices effec tive to return a coin only when the objective of the game has been met by the player.

1'7. In a coin-released game of skill, a base, a wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat sided playing elements mounted on said base, a manually operable hook freely mounted in an opening in the wall structure adapted to engage andtransport'said elements, a vertically movable balancedtable member projecting through the bottom wall of said playing area, a coin released, manually operable means for elevating said table, a latch' carried by said base and normally eifective to support said table in elevated position, means effective to release said latch when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent by improper placing of said playing pieces thereon, manually releasable coin return devices effective to return a coin only when the objective of the game has been met by the player, and means operated by said coin return devices eifective to render said game inoperative for play.

18. In an electrically operated, coin released game of skill, a hollow base enclosing operating devices therefore; an enclosed playing field disposed on the top of said base, comprising a transparent, dome-shaped top portion, an electrically conductive side wall and an electrically conductive bottom wall insulated from said side wall, a plurality of electrically conductive playing elements contained in said playing field and normally effective to maintain electrically conductive connection between said side and bottom walls, means extending through said dome for transporting said playing elements to a non-conductive position, coin released devices operable to render said game operative for playing, a manually releasable coin return means and electrically operated devices associated therewith eiiective to prevent operation of said control means when electrical connection between side and bottom walls through one or more of said playing elements exists; said last-named devices comprising a solenoid having the field coil thereof connected in series in an electrical circuit including said side wall said bottom wall and at least one playing element, and having its armature connected to a spring biased perforated slide element carried by guide means having a perforation disposed to be aligned with the slide element perforation when the latter is at one end of its movement, a push button extending through said base to the interior thereof and having a portion positioned to pass through the perforations in said slide and guide means when said circuit through said side and bottom walls is broken with resultant release of said armature, a switch positioned to be engaged by said push button incident to its movement through said perforations, a solenoid connected to said switch for actuation thereby, and coin return devices operated by said solenoid; said coin return devices comprising a base, a coin stack holder tube having the lower end thereof spaced from said base slightly more than the thickness of a coin to be stacked in said tube, a lever having one end thereof disposed to pass beneath said tube and to push the lowermost coin from the stack of coins into a hopper accessible from the exterior of the base, and a link connecting the lever to the armature of said solenoid for actuation thereby.

19. In a skill game apparatus, a base, a wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing a plurality of fiat-sided playing elements mounted on said base, a freely dirigible manually operable arm element mounted in and extending through an opening in said wall structure and terminating in a hook operable by said arm to engage and transport said playing elements within said playing area, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting through the bot tom wall of said playing area, manually operable means for elevating said table member, a latch carried by said base and normally effective to support said table in elevated position, and means effective to release said latch with incident dropping of said table when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent by the improper placing of playing pieces thereon.

20. In a skill game apparatus, a base, a wall structure defining an enclosed playing area containing a plurality of flat-sided playing elements mounted on said base, a freely dirigible manually operable arm element mounted in and extending through an opening in said wall structure and terminating in a hook operable by said arm to engage and transport said playing elements within said playing area, a vertically movable, balanced table member projecting through the bottom wall of said playing area, manually operable means for elevating said table member, a latch carried by said base and normally effective to support said table in elevated position, means effective to release said latch with incident dropping of said table when the table is caused to tilt to a predetermined extent by the improper placing of playing pieces thereon, and devices effective to restore said table to a balanced position when the table is caused to drop.

CHESTER A. FRICK.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Brewer Jan. 30, 1945 Number