US3084936A - Coin controlled game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

April 9, 1963 M. H. SIKES COIN CONTROLLED GAME APPARATUS Original Filed March 23, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR way I 4/4 BY W43, 44, K/

ATTORNEYJ April 9, 1963 M. H. SIKES 3,084,936

COIN CONTROLLED GAME APPARATUS Original Filed March 23, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR a W y W BY WM, $M5 @M ATTORNEY A ril 9, 1963 H. SIKES 3,084,936

COIN CONTROLLED GAME APPARATUS Original Filed March 25, 1956 4 .%eets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY 5' April 9, 1963 M. H. SIKES 3,084,936

COIN CONTROLLED GAME APPARATUS Original Filed March 23, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 #4 a W 31 4 I:

INVENTOR A7 [[1 aha 47X sym 5% ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,084,936 COIN C(JNTRQLLEB GANE APPARATUS Moyce H. Silres, 1266 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, Ga. Original application Mar. 23, 1956, Ser. No. 573,501, new Patent No. 2,949,210, dated Aug. 16, 1960. Divided and this application July 5, 1960, Ser. No. 40,860

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-11) This invention relates to improvements in a collecting and dispensing mechanism for game piece of the class generally exemplified in my prior Patent 2,348,267, of May 9, 1944. The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 573,501, filed March 23, 1956, now US. Patent No. 2,949,210, granted August 16, 1960.

Such an apparatus or device is adaptable for use in conjunction with a pool table or other similar apparatus wherein game pieces in the form of balls are directed into pockets or other receptacles from whence they may be delivered to the dispensing apparatus such as comprised in the instant invention, the apparatus being adapted for control by a suitable coin released plunger, electric switch or other suitable means to make the balls therein accessible for replay.

An important aspect of the invention consists in the inclusion therein of an improved mechanism for permitting dispensing by gravity of a limited number of scratched balls for replaying. In conjunction with such improved mechanism, there is preferably included a blocking device or gate for permitting the dispensing of but one such ball at a time. Also in conjunction with such dispensing mechanism, the invention contemplates the provision of a means adapted to be coin released for permitting the dispensing and replaying of an additional number of scratched balls.

From a somewhat more inclusive standpoint, the invention also includes a novel combination of a coin controllable coordinating element in the form of a slide movable rectilinearly to release a latched closure and thus permit access to the interior of the device and removal of the balls for replaying, the slide carrying a shutter or stop 'for preventing delivery of balls into the device until the gate is relatched. By virtue of this novel arrangement, it is rendered impossible for a player to continue playing by the expedient of holding the closure open.

A further novel aspect of this combination consists in utilization of the coordinating slide as a latch element or bolt; also in the combination with the slide, of means for partially opening the closure following release of the latch mechanism.

A further feature consists in the arrangement of the latch mechanism to prevent return movement of the slide, such as will render the aforesaid shutter inoperative, until after relatching of the closure.

A further novel detail consists in the arrangement of a resetting means or element actuated by movement of the slide for resetting the scratched ball counting and limiting mechanism for commencement of a new counting cycle.

In addition, the invention includes a new arrangement of visible scoring compartments, these being arranged in vertically superposed relation on opposite sides of a vertical passage in the ball receiving compartment, the vertical passage communicating both with the scoring compartments and with the scratched ball discharge opening and being manually accessible through a vertically disposed finger slot in a Wall of the cabinet which forms the ball-receiving compartment. By virtue of such arrangement, balls delivered into the compartment may be received and detained temporarily over the discharge opening in position to be either discharged through such 3,084,930 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 opening or, alternatively, to be manipulated by a players fingers inserted through the said vertical slot and delivered into any one of said scoring compartments.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a conventional pool table equipped with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the apparatus of the invention per se, on an enlarged scale relative to FIG- URE l; 7

FIGURE 3 is a rear elevation of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2; 7

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but with the mechanism in a diiferent operative position;

FIGURE 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail section on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged detail section on the li 77 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the scratched ball return mechanism shown in FIG URE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged section on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the scratched ball counting and limiting mechanism;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged section on the line 12-12 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of a modified form of scratched ball dispensing and limiting mechanism, including an auxiliary mechanism for increasing the number of scratched balls dispensed.

As will be seen from the accompanying drawings, the invention in its preferred form is made as an attachment in the form of an enclosed cabinet C for mounting on the side of a pool table or other game table of generally similar type. Disposed marginally at intervals around the table are a plurality of ball-receiving openings or pockets P into which balls are directed from the horizontal playing surface of the table. Beneath the playing surface is provided a usual ball-receiving and collecting structure such as disclosed in my prior Patent 2,348,267, for delivering the balls from the pockets P into a chute 10 sloping downwardly toward the side of the table on which is mounted the receiving and dispensing cabinet C of the invention and having its delivery end projecting into such cabinet, so that all of the played balls may be delivered thereinto and dispensed under the control of such cabinet, as best shown in FIGURE 12. The arrangement thus far described constitutes no part of the instant invention, being substantially as shown and described in my prior Patent 2,348,267.

The cabinet C, generally speaking, may be of elongated bex-like construction, including the flat top 12 and bot tom 14, the ends .16, 18 and the front panel 20 which preferably will :be hingedly connected thereto at its bottom, as at 22 (FIGURE 12), to function as a door or closure permitting access to the interior of the cabinet. The back of the cabinet, in this instance, is closed by abutment against the side 24 of the table as shown in FIGURE 12. Interiorly, the cabinet is divided by vertical longitudinally extending partition 26 into a mechanism cornpartrnent 28 adjacent the table and a ball-receiving and scoring compartment 30 adjacent to and accessible through the door. The lower portion of said partition may be of double thickness, including the additional member 26' as shown.

As will be apparent from FIGURE 12, the ball delivery chute 10 has its delivery end communicating with the receiving and scoring compartment 30 through a centrally located hole or aperture 32 in the partition, whereby played balls may be successively delivered into the compartment for reception in a suitable receptacle or detaining area at the bottom of the compartment. Such area in the present instance is defined by the periphery of an opening 34 in the false cabinet bottom 36 in conjunction with a barrier element 38 (more fully described hereinafter), which normally supports the balls within such opening, but is displaceable to permit their discharge by gravity through the vertically registering scratched ball discharge opening 40 in cabinet bottom 14. Normally, the receptacle or detaining area will be of a size to permit reception therein of but a single ball.

In the preferred arrangement, the ball-receiving and scoring compartment is formed to define a vertical ball passage 42 (see FIGURE 2) communicating at its lower end with the said receptacle 34, together with vertically superposed scoring compartments defined by theshelves 44 and false bottom 36, these compartments communicating laterally with the ball passage 42 from opposite sides. It will be seen also that the front wall of the compartment, formed by the hinged closure 20' in the present instance, is provided with vertical finger slots 46 on opposite sides of a vertical reinforcing member 48 opening into the said vertical passage. These slots are each of a width smaller than the diameters of the pool balls to prevent removal of the balls in unauthorized manner, but are large enough to permit free insertion of a players fingers for the purpose of raising a ball from the receptacle 34 and rolling it into any one of the scoring compartments. Preferably, the closure 20 and also the top 12 of the cabinet overlying the scoring compartment will be made of a suitable transparent material, as, for instance, a clear plastic or glass, in which event it will be generally advisable to form the closure as a usual metal frame having the glass or transparent panel positioned therein, and including the several transverse bars or reinforcements 48.

The main controlling and coordinating element for the dispenser comprises a slide 50, which is mounted for rectilinear movement through slide bearings 52 on the partition 26 above-mentioned and within the mechanism compartment 28. A spring 54 connected under tension between this slide and the partition normally maintains the slide '50 in a position of rest, as determined by engagement between the portion 56 of said slide and a stop 58 projecting from the partition 26. It will be seen that the slide 50 is reciprocable through an operative stroke away from the stop 58 and thence through a return stroke back to the stop. In the present instance, the mechanism for,

producing the operative stroke of the slide comprises a usual coin controlled plunger unit 60, the movable plunger portion 62 of which is reciprocable through one end of the cabinet when released by insertion of coins in the proper amount in a manner'well known in the art. It will be seen that the coin-receiving portion of this plunger unit 60 and its operating handle 64 are accessible from the outside of the cabinet. Thus, when the plunger 62 is released and pushed inwardly it engages a projection 66 on the slide and thereby impels the slide 50 on its operati-ve stroke. Subsequent withdrawal of the coin controlled plunger normally permits return of the slide under the influence of the retraction spring 54.

Among the several mechanisms controlled in coordinated relation by this slide 50, is the closure latching mechanism, which comprises one or more notched bars or catches 68 (see FIGS. and slidably disposed through slots in the partition with the ends thereof pivotally connected at 70 to brackets 72 on the inner face of the gate. The slide 50 has end portions 51 and 53 normally positioned in operative latching relation within the notches 74 of these catches when the slide is in its retracted or rest position. However, it will be seen that such portions are adapted for movement out of the the slide. The rear ends of the catches may be bent at right angles, as at 76 for abutting engagement with partition 26.

Also carried by the slide is a depending shutter portion 56 adapted for movement into obstructing position across the discharge or delivery end of the chute :10 (and thus across opening 32) at the very inception of the operative stroke of the slide and, in any event, prior to unlatching of the catches.

This shutter 56 extends lengthwise of the slide to an extent such that it will at all times continue to obstruct the discharge end of the chute and prevent passage of the balls into the rectptacle 34 as long as the latch mechanism is released. Thus, it will 'be rendered impossible for a player to have indefinite usage of the balls by the expedient of simply holding the closure 20 open and replaying balls delivered by the chute 10.

In order to prevent inadvertent relatching of the door or closure 20 by return or the slide 50 before the door is opened, there is provided a door opening mechanism actuated responsive to the operative stroke of the slide 50. Such mechanism may conveniently comprise a plunger 80 (FIGURES 6 and 7) mounted for sliding movement in a grooved board or panel 82 at the top of the cabinet and through partition 26 into engagement with the hinged door 20 adjacent its upper edge. This plunger has 2. depending projection 84, which is adapted for engagement by one arm of a bell crank lever 86 fulcrumed at 8-8 to the under side of the panel 82. The other arm of the lever has a depending portion 90 adapted for engagement by the bracket 66 on the operative stroke of the slide 50, whereby the ensuing projection of the plunger 80 will serve to partially open the door 20. Retraction of the plunger 80 may take place either through manual closing of the door or by means of a retraction spring 92 connected between the plunger and the cabinet.

For the purpose of insuring that the shutter 56 will remain in obstructing relation to the chute 10 and opening 32 as long as the door is open, the rear ends of the catches or catch elements are positioned to be abutted against by the latching portions 51, 53 of the slide until the door 20 is fully closed, to bring the latching recesses or notches 74 into registry with these latching portions.

f The scratched ball returning mechanism includes the displaceable barrier 38 swingable laterally between the false bottom or shelf 36 and cabinet bottom 14, and between the vertically registering openings 34 and 40 therein. This barrier is laterally displaceable to a non-registering position relative to the holes 34 and 40 whereby the ball confined within the hole 34' may be discharged by gravity through both said holes or openings 34 and 40, either to be received in the players hand or, if desired, to drop into a receiving tray 94 (FIGURE 1) positioned beneath the opening 40 and from which the balls may be retrieved, as desired. Preferably, the barrier 38 is in the form of a rigid arm or lever, which is pivoted at 96 within a recess 98 in bottom 14 (FIGURES 8, 9 and P2) for lateral swinging movement across the openings 34 and 40, and which normally is operatively positioned in obstructing relation against a stop 100 (defined by one edge of recess 98') by means of a spring 102 connected under tension between the arm and the cabinet structure. Movement of the barrier 38 to a non-obstructing or discharge position at one side of the openings 34, 40 will preferably be accomplished through manual actuation of a lever 104 pivoted at 106 for lateral swinging movement within the recess 98 and having a free manually engageable end projecting externally of the cabinet beneath closure 20 through the forward edge of recess 98. It is desirable toprovide a yieldable connection or linkage between the barrier 38 and its actuating lever or element 104, whereby the barrier may be locked in obstructing position after releasing a predetermined number of scratched balls, and

the yieldable connection between such barrier and its actuating element will prevent the imposition on such barrier of any undue dislodging force such as might tend to damage or maladjust it or its associated mechanisms. Such yieldable connection in the preferred embodiment comprises the tension spring 105, best shown in FIG- URE 9.

Operating in coordinated relationship with the barrier is a gate 108 (FIGURES 2, 8 and 9) which is swingable to an obstructing position relative to the delivery end of the ball chute 10 and opening 32 each time the barrier is moved to discharge position. The function of such a gate is to permit the discharge of but a single scratched ball at a time, whereby the scratched ball counting and limiting mechanism hereinafter described may function accurately and effectively. The gate 108 in the present instance comprises a flat metal plate which is pivotally connected at 110 to the partition member 26 and which normally is positioned to one side of the opening 32 for lateral movement at least partially thereacross. A portion of the plate 108 extends downwardly from pivot 110 into the path of operative swinging movement of the actuating lever or element 104, whereby such movement functions to swing the gate about its pivot and into obstructing relation with the opening 32 immediately following inception of the movement of the actuating element 104. It will be seen that the combined action of the two springs 102 and 105 normally serves to maintain the actuating element 104 in an inoperative position against a stop 112.

The counting and limiting mechanism controlling the permissible actuations of the barrier (and shown best in FIGURES 3, 4, 8, 11 and 12) comprises a ratchet element in the form of a rack bar 114, which is slidable longitudinally through guides 116 fixed on the back of the partition 26. Longitudinally spaced stops 118, 119 carried by plates 120, respectively secured to the partition, serve to limit the range of longitudinal movement of the rack bar. If desired, the plates 120 and their associated stops may be rendered longitudinally adjustable by means of longitudinal slots 1-22 therein for reception of the screws which secure them against the partition. A suitable resilient means, such as the tension spring 124, connected between the rack bar 114 and the cabinet structure urges the rack bar toward a retracted position against the stop 119, while a pawl mechanism actuated responsive to the movement of the barrier 38 functions to intermittently feed the rack bar in an opposite longitudinal direction toward the other stop 118. It will be seen that the bar or element 114 is provided with a plurality of upwardprojecting ratchet teeth 115 for cooperation in usual manner with a holding pawl 126 and a feeding pawl 1 28. The holding pawl 126 is pivotally mounted at 130 on the back of the partition and is resiliently urged into engagement with the ratchet teeth by a spring 132. The feeding pawl 128, on the other hand, is mounted for vertical pivotal movement at 1-34 on a supporting bracket 136 and is resiliently urged toward the rack bar by spring 129. The bracket 136 is guided for longitudinal movement between the bar 114 and the adjacent rear face of the partition 26. This bracket 136 is pivotally connected at 138 to the inner portion of the movable barrier 38 for reciprocation longitudinally of the rack bar 114 responsive to oscillation of the barrier occurring incident to its movement between discharge and obstructing positions relative to the ball discharge openings. Thus, it will be seen that each time the barrier 38 is swung to open or discharge position, the ensuing movement of the feeding pawl 128 in abutting relation with one of the ratchet teeth 115 will move the rack bar 114 for a predetermined distance, whereupon, the return of the barrier to its normal obstructing position will retract the feeding pawl 128 for engagement with another ratchet tooth, the holding pawl 126 meanwhile preventing retrogressive movement of the rack bar. Thus, it will be apparent that each time the barrier 38 is actuated to release a scratched ball, the

rack bar 114 will be urged a predetermined distance toward the stop 118, and after a predetermined number of such discharges, will engage said stop. At this time, the abutting engagement between the feeding pawl 12 8 and rack bar 114, after the barrier 38 has been returned to its normal ball retaining position, will lock the barrier in such position and prevent the release of further balls. Under such conditions, the spring connection between the barrier 38 and its actuating element 104 will render it impossible to exert a strain on the feeding pawl 128, rack bar 114 or stop 118, such as might damage or dislocate any of these elements.

After all of the balls have been played and it is desired to commence a new game by actuation of the coin-re leased plunger 62 and its associated control slide 50, the ensuing operative stroke of the control slide 50 may be utilized to retract the two pawls 126 and 128 from engagement with the rack bar 114 to permit its retraction to starting position against stop 119 by the spring 124. Thus, by reference to FIGURES 12, 11, it will be seen that there is provided a bell crank lever which may be conveniently fulcrumed at 142 on one of the slide bearings 116. One arm 144 of this lever projects beneath both of the pawls 126 and 128', whereby it may be rocked to raise them from engagement with the ratchet teeth while the other arm 146 of the said lever projects upwardly for engagement by a stop 148 on the slide during operative movement of the slide.

It will be found desirable also to provide a secondary or auxiliary resetting mechanism, such as illustrated in FIGURE 13, which may be actuated independently of the control slide 50 and its associated coin released plunger, to permit a limited retraction of the rack bar 114, such as will adapt the scratched ball-dispensing mechanism for release of additional scratched balls in excess of those normally permitted by the mechanism thus far described. The rack bar 114 is similar in all respects to the bar 114 heretofore described, except that it is modified by the provision of notches 149 therein. Such a secondary resetting mechanism may also be con trolled by a coin actuated plunger 150 adapted for release, however, by coins in a lesser amount than is the case with the main plunger 62 earlier described. The coin released plunger 150' in this case engages and induces sliding movement of a slide 152 mounted in guides 154 beneath the ratchet bar. A pin 156 projecting from the slide 152 at one end thereof is positioned for engagement with one arm 158 of a lever fulcrumed at 160 beneath the ratchet bar, whereby the other arm 162 of said lever may be swung upwardly to simultaneously raise the two pawls 126 and 128 from operative engagement with the ratchet teeth. In order to permit but a limited retraction of the rack bar by the spring 124 at such time, there is provided a swingable detent 164 pivoted at 166 on the rear face of the partition 26 for movement into abutting engagement with one or more relatively spaced projections 168, depending from the ratchet bar. Movement of the detent 164 into the path of such projections 168 occurs simultaneously with release of the pawls 126, 128, by virtue of the cooperation between an inclined cam plate 170 on the detent and a shoulder 172 on the slide positioned for cooperative engagement with this cam at the same time the pin 156 on the slide initiates movement of the lever arm 158. The distance between the stops or abutments 168 will preferably be uniform and such as to permit a predetermined number of additional movements of the barrier 38 to discharge position. Where several such stops 168 are provided, it will be apparent that the slide 152 may be actuated successively through its coin-controlled plunger as desired by the player. Obviously, each time the slide 152 is retracted by its cooperating spring 174 to starting position, the return swing of the lever arm 162 will permit reengagement of the pawls 126 and 128 with the rack bar 114 to retain the rack bar in its new position, following which continued return movement of the slide 152 will permit the detent to swing downwardly to an inoperative position.

In the complete operation of the dispensing mechanism such as above described, it will be seen that, by insertion of coins in the proper amount in the coil-released plunger unit 60, the plunger 62 will be freed for operative movement to urge the control slide 50 through its operative stroke. During such stroke the slide will first move the shutter 56 to obstructing position across the delivery end of the chute 10, then will release the door latches 68, following which it will act through the plunger 80 and its associated bell crank 86 to partially open the door 20. Such movement of the slide 50 will also, of course, actuate the bell crank lever 140 to reset the counting mechanism 114 of the scratched ball discharge device. It will be seen that the shutter 56 will continue to obstruct the delivery chute and opening 32 until the slide 50 is retracted to its starting position, and the catches 68 will prevent such retraction as long as the door remains partially open. Thus, it will be apparent that any balls played while the door is open will be retained within the chute 10, thus preventing continued playing by the expedient of holding the door 20 open.

It will be further apparent that either the cue ball or any scratched balls delivered through the chute 10 into the receptacle defined by the periphery of the discharge opening 40 may be manipulated by insertion of the players fingers through the slot or slots 46 for delivery into one of the scoring compartments. A predetermined number of balls delivered into such receptacle may be readily discharged through the action of gravity responsive to suitable manipulation of the actuating lever 104 and barrier 38.

In this application I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustrating the preferred mode of carrying out the invention. However, I recognized that the invention is capable of other embodiments and that its several details may be modified in various ways. Accordingly, the drawings and description herein are to be construed as merely illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a coin operated pool game device, a combination ball dispensing mechanism and scoring rack comprising a cabinet defining an enclosed scoring compartment having a ball receptacle therein for reception of played balls, means communicating with said compartment for successively delivering the played balls into said receptacle, said scoring compartment being formed to define a vertical ball passage communicating at its lower end with said receptacle, and a plurality of vertically superposed generally horizontal shelves communicating laterally with said ball passage, said passage being unobstructed to permit free movement at all times of balls from said receptacle to all of said shelves, said cabinet having formed therethrough a vertical finger slot in registry with and opening into said passage from the exterior of said cabinet, and of a width smaller than the diameter of said balls, whereby said balls may be successively raised from said receptacle by a players fingers inserted through said slot and selectively moved through said passage onto any of said shelves, one exterior side of said compartmnet being defined by a hinged door of transparent material, through which said finger slotis formed, said door being coextensive with and permitting a clear view of said shelves and mounted for swinging movement between an open and a closed position, a shutter movable to and from a position wherein it obstructs the said means for delivering the played balls into said receptacle, and means interconnecting the said shutter and the said door to prevent opening of the door except in the obstructing position of the shutter.

2. In a coin operated pool game device, a combination ball dispensing mechanism and scoring rack comprising a cabinet defining an enclosed scoring compartment having a ball receptacle therein for reception of played balls, means communicating with said compartment for successively delivering the played balls into said receptacle, said scoring compartment being formed to define a vertical ball passage communicating at its lower end with said receptacle, and a plurality of vertically superposed generally horizontal shelves communicating laterally with said ball passage, said passage being unobstructed to permit free movement at all times of balls from said receptacle to all of said shelves, said cabinet having formed therethrough a vertical finger slot in registry with and opening into said passage from the exterior of said cabinet, and of a width smaller than the diameter of said balls, whereby said balls may be successively raised from said receptacle by a players fingers inserted through said slot and selectively moved through said passage onto any of said shelves, said compartment being formed with a scratched ball discharge opening communicating with the lower end of and aligned with said vertical ball passage, a barrier normally obstructing said opening but disposed for retractive movement to a non-obstructing ball discharging position, said means for successively delivering the played balls into said receptacle comprising a ball delivery chute, a gate movable to and from an obstructing position across said chute, and means interconnecting the said barrier and gate to move the gate to obstructing position incident to retractive movement of said barrier.

3. In a pool table device, a combination ball dispensing mechanism and scoring rack comprising a cabinet composed of a scoring compartment enclosed on all sides, said compartment including a vertical ball passage having a discharge opening communicating therewith at its lower end, a plurality of vertically superposed fixedly positioned shelves wholly contained within said scoring compartment and communicating laterally with said ball passage, and means normally obstructing said discharge opening but movable selectively to a position to permit the discharge of balls through said opening, said passage being unobstructed between said means and all of said shelves to permit free movement of balls from said means and onto said shelves, said cabinet having formed therethrough a vertical finger slot in registry with and opening into, said passage and of a width less than the diameter of said balls, and means for delivering balls into said passage, said last mentioned means including a chute communicating with said passage for successively delivering played balls into the lower end of said passage, the lower end of said passage being proportioned to contain but a single ball at a time, and means retaining the balls in said passage and over said discharge opening during movement of said obstructing means to its non-obstructing position, said chute having a delivery end sloping downwardly and intersecting said passage at an angle and level such that a ball in said chute will be blocked from entry into said passage by a ball previously received and retained in the lower end thereof while said previously received ball is permitted selective independent vertical movement either upwardly to the level of the uppermost of said shelves or downwardly for discharge through said opening.

4. In a coin operated pool game device, a combination ball dispensing mechanism and scoring rack comprising a cabinet defining a scoring compartment enclosed on all sides and having a ball receptacle therein for reception of a played ball, said receptacle being proportioned to contain but a single ball at a time, a chute communicating with said receptacle for successively delivering the played balls into the receptacle, said chute having a delivery end sloping downwardly toward said receptacle and communicating laterally with the receptacle at an angle and level such that a ball in said chute will be blocked from entry into the receptacle by a ball previously received therein, while said previously received ball is permitted selective vertical movement either upwardly or downwardly from 9 the receptacle, said scoring compartment being formed to define a vertical ball passage communicating at its lower end With said receptacle, and a plurality of vertically superposed generally horizontal shelves wholly contained within said compartment and communicating laterally with said ball passage, said passage being unobstructed to permit free movement at all time of balls from said receptacle to any of said shelves, said cabinet having formed therethrough a vertical finger slot in registry with and opening into said passage from the exterior of said cabinet, and of a width smaller than the diameter of said balls, whereby said balls may be successively raised from said receptacle by a players fingers inserted through said slot and selectively moved through said passage onto any of said shelves, said scoring compartment being formed with a discharge opening beneath said receptacle and in vertical alignment with said vertical passage, a barrier normally obstructing said opening and movable horizontally to one side thereof to a non-obstructing position to permit 10 discharge of balls through said opening, said receptacle having marginal surrounding walls restraining the balls against horizontal movement with said barrier.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 309,932 Crane Dec. 30, 1884 971,128 Goss Sept. 27, 1910 1,266,012 Goss May 14, 1918 1,777,720 Dunn Oct. 7, 1930 1,839,035 Kannen-berg Dec. 29, 1931 2,242,392 Guy May 20, 1941 2,277,916 Klemt Mar. 31, 1942 2,348,267 'Sikes May 9, 1944 2,358,533 Orihuela Sept. 29, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 206,935 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1923 300,917 Italy Sept. 21, 1932

Claims (1)

1. 3. IN A POOL TABLE DEVICE, A COMBINATION BALL DISPENSING MECHANISM AND SCORING RACK COMPRISING A CABINET COMPOSED OF A SCORING COMPARTMENT ENCLOSED ON ALL SIDES, SAID COMPARTMENT INCLUDING A VERTICAL BALL PASSAGE HAVING A DISCHARGE OPENING COMMUNICATING THEREWITH AT ITS LOWER END, A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SUPERPOSED FIXEDLY POSITIONED SHELVES WHOLLY CONTAINED WITHIN SAID SCORING COMPARTMENT AND COMMUNICATING LATERALLY WITH SAID BALL PASSAGE, AND MEANS NORMALLY OBSTRUCTING SAID DISCHARGE OPENING BUT MOVABLE SELECTIVELY TO A POSITION TO PERMIT THE DISCHARGE OF BALLS THROUGH SAID OPENING, SAID PASSAGE BEING UNOBSTRUCTED BETWEEN SAID MEANS AND ALL OF SAID SHELVES TO PERMIT FREE MOVEMENT OF BALLS FROM SAID MEANS AND ONTO SAID SHELVES, SAID CABINET HAVING FORMED THERETHROUGH A VERTICAL FINGER SLOT IN REGISTRY WITH AND OPENING INTO SAID PASSAGE AND SLOT IN REGISTRY WITH AND OPENING INTO SAID PASSAGE AND OF A WIDTH LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID BALLS, AND MEANS FOR DELIVERING BALLS INTO SAID PASSAGE, SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS INCLUDING A CHUTE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID PASSAGE

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