US3797627A

US3797627A - Pool table ball dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3797627A
Application number: US00272493A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-12
Filing date: 1972-07-12
Publication date: 1974-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-19

Abstract

A ball dispensing unit for coin operated pool tables wherein pocketed balls are collected inaccessibly behind a picture window by a slide tray and dispensed simultaneously by manual operation of a coin control governed by a primary anti-cheat means and displacing the slide tray to drop the balls into a crib; dropping of additionally pocketed balls being prevented by secondary anticheat means witholding pocketed balls from the slide tray. The ball crib remains accessibly opened, while both the primary and secondary anti-cheat means remain inaccessibly protected and tamper proof.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Baker Mar. 19, 1974 POOL TABLE BALL DISPENSER [76] Inventor: Raymond J. Baker, 3136 Yale Ave., Primary Exam 'e' stanley Tollberg Marina Del Rey Cam-I 90291 Asslstant Examiner-11. G. Skaggs, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or F1rm-W1ll1am H. Maxwell [22] Filed: July 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 272,493 ABSTRACT A ball dispensing unit for coin operated pool tables wherein pocketed balls are collected inaccessibly be- [52] U.S. Cl. 194/41, 194/39, 273/11 C hind a picture window by a slide tray and dispensed [51] Int. Cl. G071 17/32 Simultaneously y manual Operation of a coin control [58] Field of Search 194/92, 93, 41, 76, 81,

194/89. 273/11 C governed by a primary ant1-cheat means and displacing the slide tray to drop the balls into a crib; dropping of additionally pocketed balls being prevented by sec- [56] References Cited ondary anti-cheat means witholding pocketed balls UNITED STATES PATENTS from the slide tray. The ball crib remains accessibly 2,574,363 11/1951 Wilhem 273/11 C opened, while both the primary and Secondary anti- 3,096,981 F1scher t C heat means remain inaccessibly protected and 3.115341 12/1963 Feddick et al. 273/11 c tamper proofi 1,938,265 12/1933 Thomas 273/11 C r 3,304,085 2/1967 Heiss et al 273/11 C 15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEBMR 2 9 I874 SHEEI 1 0f 2 POOL TABLE BALL DISPENSER BACKGROUND Pool tables used in commercial establishments are rented, so to speak, by the game, in which case it is common practice to install a coin control thereon which collects the pocketed balls and which is operable upon insertion of the required coinage to collectively dispense the balls into a crib for their normal reuse. It is advantageous to have visual collection of the balls and there must be dropping of all pocketed balls into the crib; and heretofore the tables meeting such requirements have been met with tampering, since the visible terminus of the ball runs and coin controlled ball stop therefor have been somewhat accessible by devious means. Sequential dropping of released balls into the ball crib has not been altogether satisfactory, since balls are thus known to hang up in the chute terminus. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to pro vide a coin controlled slide tray with protective anticheat means which virtually eliminates tampering. Only in the event of operation of the coil control can the slide tray be shifted to effect a ball drop, whereupon additional balls are prevented from entering onto the tray, with the present invention, withdrawal of the coil control operator restores the slide tray to a ball receiving position and simultaneously withdraws the secondary anti-cheat means from its protecting position.

FIELD OF INVENTION Facility of maintenance is an important feature with commercially operated pool tables which are often abused and require services on frequent occasions; for example to remove extraineous objects from the ball run, for general interior cleaning, and for removal of monies from the coin chute. To these ends it is an object of this invention to provide a drawer which carries the coin control for cooperative engagement with the linkage of the primary anti-cheat means and which is removeable so as to expose the slide tray and the two anti-cheat mechanisms for maintenance and/or repair. With the present invention, the coin control is carried by a removeable panel which provides access to the coin chute and which permits manual entry for operation of an interior anchor for withdrawing the drawer.

The ball run and terminus thereof are advantageously part of the table, it being an object of this invention to provide a terminus which sequentially lines up the pocketed balls and displays them prior to a collective or simultaneous drop. With the present invention, the slide tray is carried by the table with a ball supporting terminus extending transversely adjacent the table front, with an elevated end to receive the balls which gravitate toward the opposite lowered end. The slide tray is lever operated and governed by the primary anticheat device to preclude tray movement except for operation of the coin control. There is a simplified and direct linkage which effects tray movement as a result of operating the coin control.

It is an object of this invention to provide a drawer and table combination wherein a removeable coin control cooperates with a slide tray shiftably carried by the table to release balls into a crib. With the arrangement disclosed herein it is virtually impossible to reach into the ball runs which are remote from the opening of the display terminus. Also, with the arrangement disclosed progress to the ball run terminus for observation in the 1 picture window of the drawer.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to pool tables as they are to be used in commercial establishments where persons deposit coins therein for the privilege of playing the facilities of the pool tables. The table can vary in size and in the arrangement of pockets, and generally a table involves a felt covered slate 10 supported by legs 11 and having side and

end rails

12 and 13. As shown, there are corner pockets 14 and side pockets I5, and all of which open into ball runs 16 that channel the pocketed balls to a terminus which is disposed adjacent the front end rail 13. The slate supporting table structure has substantial depth as is indicated and the pocketed balls are channeled by a center run 16 toward the front end rail 13 where they are diverted laterally by a Q ball separator S which passes the playing balls onto the elevated end of the slide tray X and which diverts the Q ball to a crib at the opposite rear end rail 12. A drawer D closes the front end rail 13 and provides for support of a coin control C and coin chute; and primary and secondary anti-cheat means Y and Z are associated with the slide tray X, the said primary means Y being operated by the release of said coin control C to shift the slide tray X and simultaneously drop all balls thereon at the ball run terminus established thereby.

DRAWINGS The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the drawer of the present invention removed from the table which is provided for its cooperative association.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the drawer end of the table shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on FIG. 2.

And, FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the coin control operated to actuate the primary anti-cheat means Y, thereby to shift the slide tray X so as to drop the playing balls into the crib.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The supporting structure for the felt covered slate I0 is a rigid box construction having side and

end walls

20 and 21 that extend between upper and lower platform and

deck members

22 and 23. The

members

22 and 23 are horizontally disposed spaced and parallel members, there being additional interior stiffeners extending both longitudinally and transversely as circumstances require. For example, there is a transverse vertically disposed bulkhead stiffener 25 that is spaced from the front end wall 21 to form a chamber. The front end wall 21 is interrupted by the drawer D which has a front panel 25 that replaces the greater portion of said front wall. As shown, the drawer D rests upon the deck 23 with its front panel 25 extending to the platform 22. The felt covered slate is supported by and coextensively overlies the said platform member 22.

The drawer D is removeable from the table structure and has vertically disposed side cheek members 26 that carry a shelf 27 to which the upper portion of the front panel 28 is attached with its lowermost edge 28 rearwardly offset from the front end wall 21. The shelf 27 is spaced intermediate the top and bottom of

members

22 and 23 and its lowermost face spaced above the deck 23 a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the supported playing balls. The lower portion of the front panel 28 is in the plane of the front end wall 21 with its uppermost edge 29 spaced above the deck 23 a distance approximately equal to the diameter of the supported playing balls. A ball guide 28" depends from the edge 28' parallel with front panel andspaced therefrom to form a channel. As shown, a picture window 30 occupies the offset opening between said upper and lower portions of the front panel 25 and overlying said channel, wherein the pocketed playing balls are inaccessibly visible.

The coin control C is carried by the drawer D and by means of a removeable panel section 31 that interrupts the front panel 25 and replaces the center portion thereof between spaced inner cheeks 32. As shown, the panel section 31 has one end received in a channel 33 in one cheek 32 and has a key operated bolt 35 at the other end releasably received in a channel in the other cheek 32. Thus, the panel section 31 is removeably installed by using a key operated lock 36 as shown. The coin control C is mounted in the panel section 31 and is operable to actuate the slide tray X as later described.

vThe Q ball separator S is provided to return the Q ball each time it is pocketed, and to pass all pocketed playing balls into the terminus of the ball runs. The ball run terminus is established by the slide tray X with its elevated end at one side of and to extend beneath the picture window 30, and therefore the separator S diverts the Q ball from and directs all playing balls to the said elevated end of the slide tray. As is shown, the ball separator S is a lateral continuation of the center ball run 16, with a right angular entrance 38 and with a right angular exit 39. Intermediate the runs and exit there is a diagonally disposed obstruction 37 that depends to engage the slightly larger Q ball diameter, but so as to pass the slightly smaller playing ball diameters.

The separator S is a tunnel-like structure with a lateral opening through which the Q ball is diverted to the return run therefor. The slide tray X is shiftably carried by the table structure and alternately covers and uncovers a drop area 40 beneath which there is a ball crib 41. As shown, the deck 23 has an opening therein coextensive with the transverse extent of the picture window 30 and which the ball run terminus portion 42 of the slide tray X coextensively overlies when in the ball supporting position. The slide tray X has a central coin chute, a removeable coin box 46, and a support portion 43 rearward of the aforementioned ball supporting portion 42 and all of which is carried upon parallel runners 44 extending fore and aft supported upon the base 23. The ball supporting portion 42 has a rail that guides the playing balls so that they align in a row as they build up from the lower end of the terminus. In practice, the row of playing balls is collected against the interior side of the lower portion of the front panel 25, and the slide tray portion 42 is shiftably retractable therefrom so as to release and thereby drop the balls. The runners 44 are antifriction runners that involve interengaged slides with ball bearings operably captured therebetween.

The primary anti-cheat means Y is a lever that operatively couples the coin control C to the slide tray X so as to releasably move the same when said coin control is operated manually. The coin control can be of the usual type wherein a coin is received in a reciprocating operator 45 that moves inwardly to operate a mechanism, in this case anti-cheat means Y. The coin receptive device is indicated but not shown in detail, and the acceptable coins are dropped into the coin chute box 46 disposed beneath the discharge of said coin receiving device. In practice, a pusher 47 is carried at the innermost end of the operator 45, and in accordance with this invention the anti-cheat means Y involves a sear 50 carried by an operating lever 51'that actuates the slide tray to retract against return springs 52. The pusher has a flat operating face disposed in a plane normal to the axis of movement; to sequentially release the sear 50 and then operate the lever 51. The operating lever 51 extends pivotally between the slide tray X and a fixed anchor pivot 53. The said lever is normally disposed so as to extend upwardly from the slide tray X in the path of the pusher 47. The anchor pivot 53 is preferably a link pivoted to the platform so as to restrain the upper end of lever 51 and so that said lever operates as a second class lever when pressed by pusher 47. The sear 50 is pivoted to the lever 51 intermediate its ends and in the path of pusher 47, and it falls by gravity with a forwardly faced shoulder 54 engageable against a fixed stop 56. The scar 50 normally prevents but permits advancement when first engaged by the pusher 47. Accordingly, the sear 50 has a raised cam 55 depended from its pivot so asto be engaged by the pusher 47 and which firstly lifts its shoulder from the stop 56 (on the ball separator S) and only after which the lever 51 can be moved to retract the slide tray X. Upon release, the springs 52 return the slide tray X to a ball supporting position.

The secondary anti-cheat means Z is an obstructor 60 that is carried by the slide tray X to enter into a ball run 16 or preferably into the ball separator S to prevent movement of balls therethrough when the coin control C is advanced, or partially advanced. Thus, when the slide tray X is operated to drop balls, additional balls cannot be added to the collection thereof. Cooperating with the anti-cheat means Z is the provision of a return ratchet 61 on the coin control operator 45. Said ratchet 61 is a return only ratchet that is operable only when a coin has been received and passed into the coin chute box 46 as a result of a full operative cycle of the operator 45. Therefore, the operator and slide tray held thereby are simultaneously retracted with consequent retension of the obstructor 60 in the form of a finger that retractably enters a portion of the ball run in separator S. Consequently, playing balls cannot be collected in the ball run terminus without sufficient return of the slide tray X to effectively close the drop area to the ball crib 41.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the primary and secondary anti-cheat means Y and Z effectively govern the operation of the slide tray X so that all pocketed playing balls are simultaneously dropped,

with virtually no possibility of replaying unless a new coin is inserted for payment of the next succeeding game. In all instances, pocketed playing balls are directed to the ball run terminus to be visible through the picture window, and with all access to the interior workings of the table closed.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art:

l claim:

1. A pool table with a ball dispenser having anti-cheat means, and including: a top within the confines of rails and having pockets open into a ball run and supported by a frame comprised of spaced platform and base members with side and end panels extending therebetween, said top and rails being carried upon the platform member; a ball dispenser comprised of a coin control having a reciprocable operator and a reciprocably shiftable slide tray having a ball run terminus portion, means yieldingly urging said slide tray ball run portion into normal engagement with a panel of the frame, the said ball run discharging pocketed balls onto said terminus portion of the slide tray; and said anti-cheat means comprising, a lever pivotally extending between an anchor on the frame and the slide tray, a sear carried by said lever and having a shoulder normally engaged against a fixed stop on the frame, and a cam on the sear engaged by advancing movement of the coin control operator releasing its shoulder from said stop, and said operator being engageable with the lever to shift the slide tray from the normal panel engagement dropping the pocketed balls therefrom.

2. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the slide tray is yieldingly urged into engagement with an end panel from which it is shifted to drop the pocketed balls.

3. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1 wherein a ball guide is carried by the frame in spaced relation to the said panel engaged by the slide tray to form a ball channel overlying the ball run terminus portion thereof and beneath which the slide tray is retracted.

4. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the anchor for the anticheat means lever is a link extending pivotally between said lever and the frame.

5. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anti-cheat lever extends substantially normal between the anchor and slide tray, and wherein the anchor for the anti-cheat means lever is a link extending substantially parallel with the slide tray and pivotally between said lever and the frame.

6. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the anti-cheat sear is pivotally carried by the lever intermediate the pivotal connection thereof to the anchor and slide tray respectively.

7. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anti-cheat lever extends substantially normal between the anchor and slide tray, wherein the anchor for the anti-cheat means lever is a link extending substantially parallel with the slide tray and pivotally between said lever and the frame, and wherein the anti-cheat sear is pivotally carried by the lever intermediate the pivotal connection thereof to the anchor and slide tray respectively.

8. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1, wherein the anti-cheat sear is pivotally carried by the lever intermediate the pivotal connection thereof to the anchor and slide tray respectively, and wherein the anti-cheat cam depends from the sear pivot and normally projects so as to lift its shoulder when engaged by the coin control operator.

9. A pool table with a ball dispenser having primary and secondary anti-cheat means, and including: a top within the confines of rails and having pockets open into a ball run and supported by a frame comprised of spaced platform and base members with side and end panels extending therebetween, said top and rails being carried upon the platform member; a ball dispenser comprised of a coin control having a reciprocable operator and a shiftable slide tray having a ball run terminus portion, means yieldingly urging said slide tray ball run portion into normal engagement with a panel of the frame, the said ball run discharging pocketed balls onto said terminus portion of the slide tray; said primary anti-cheat means comprising, a lever pivotally extending between an anchor on the frame and the slide tray, a sear carried by said lever and having a shoulder normally engaged against a fixed stop on the frame, and a cam on the sear engaged by advancing movement of the coin control operator releasing its shoulder from said stop, and said operator being engageable with the lever to shift the slide tray from the normal panel engagement dropping the pocketed balls therefrom; and said secondary anti-cheat means comprising, an obstructor carried by the slide tray to enter the ball run when shifted by the coin control operator preventing pocketed balls from entering into said terminus portion thereof.

10. The pool table ball dispenser and primary and secondary anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 9 wherein the said anti-cheat obstructor is a finger retractably entering the said ball run.

11. The pool table ball dispenser and primary and secondary anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coin control includes a retum only ratchet with means responsive to advancement of the operator and acceptance thereby of a coin permitting its return.

12. The pool table ball dispenser and primary and secondary anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coin control includes a return only ratchet with means responsive to advancement of the operator and acceptance thereby of a coin permitting its return, and wherein the said anti-cheat obstructor is a finger retractably entering the said ball run.

13. A ball dispenser drawer and pool table having anti-cheat means, and including; a top within the confines of rails and having pockets open into a ball run supported by a frame comprised of spaced platform and base members with side and end panels extending therebetween, said top and rails being carried upon the platform member, there being an opening in one of said panels; a ball dispenser drawer withdrawably carried by said base member and occupying said panel opening and comprised of a front panel with offset upper and lower portions and with a ball inspection window formed by said offset, and a coin control having a reciprocable operator; and a slide tray having a ball run terminus portion, means reciprocally mounting the slide tray on the base member of said frame, means yieldingly urging said slide tray ball run portion into engagement with a panel of the frame, the said ball run discharging pocketed balls onto said terminus portion of the slide tray; and primary anti-cheat means comprising, a lever pivotally extending between an anchor on the frame and the slide tray, a sear carried by said lever and having a shoulder normally engaged against a fixed stop on the frame, and a cam on the sear engaged by advancing movement of the coin control operator releasing its shoulder from said stop, and said operator being engageable with the lever to shift the slide tray from the normal panel engagement dropping the pocketed balls therefrom.

14. The ball dispenser drawer and pool table with anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 13 wherein there is secondary anti-cheat means comprising an obstructor carried by the slide tray to enter the ball run when shifted by the coin control operator preventing pocketed balls from entering into said terminus portion thereof.

15. The ball dispenser drawer and pool table with anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 13, wherein there is secondary anti-cheat means comprising an obstructor carried by the slide tray to enter the ball run when shifted by the coin control operator preventing pocketed balls from entering into said terminus portion thereof, and wherein the coin control includes a return only ratchet with means responsive to advancement of the operator and acceptance thereby of a coin permitting its return.

Claims

4. The pool table ball dispenser and anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 1 wherein the anchor for the anti-cheat means lever is a link extending pivotally between said lever and the frame.

11. The pool table ball dispenser and primary and secondary anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coin control includes a ''''return only'''' ratchet with means responsive to advancement of the operator and acceptance thereby of a coin permitting its return.

12. The pool table ball dispenser and primary and secondary anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 9 wherein the coin control includes a ''''return only'''' ratchet with means responsive to advancement of the operator and acceptance thereby of a coin permitting its return, and wherein the said anti-cheat obstructor is a finger retractably entering the said ball run.

15. The ball dispenser drawer and pool table with anti-cheat means as set forth in claim 13, wherein there is secondary anti-cheat means comprising an obstructor carried by the slide tray to enter the ball run when shifted by the coin control operator preventing pocketed balls from entering into said terminus portion thereof, and wherein the coin control includes a ''''return only'''' ratchet with means responsive to advancement of the operator and acceptance thereby of a coin permitting its return.