US3861687A

US3861687A - Weight indexed drum chance apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3861687A
Application number: US308605A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond W Ratliff
Original assignee: GREAT GAMES Inc
Current assignee: GREAT GAMES Inc
Priority date: 1972-11-21
Filing date: 1972-11-21
Publication date: 1975-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-21

Abstract

A chance apparatus includes a drum assembly comprising a hollow cylinder and an exterior printed layer defining a plurality of rings each divided into a plurality of segments. The drum assembly is rotatably supported in a housing comprising an aperture adapted to simultaneously expose one segment of each ring. The drum assembly further comprises a molded disk member received in one end of the cylinder and a first axle extending from the molded disk member. A detent mechanism includes a molded cup member received in the opposite end of the cylinder and including a cylindrical portion having a plurality of ridges spaced about its interior periphery in accordance with the spacing of the segments on the exterior of the drum. A ball is received in the cylindrical portion of the cup member and cooperates with the ridges to terminate each rotation of the drum assembly with one of the segments on the exterior of the drum aligned with the aperture of the housing. A radially extending wall of the cup member encloses one end of the cylindrical portion, and a molded disk member is received in the cylindrical portion to enclose the opposite end. A second axle projects outwardly from the detent mechanism along the axis of the drum. The housing comprises a molded interior shell and an exterior printed layer. The shell includes opposed bearing members which receive the axles and thereby rotatably support the drum assembly.

Description

United States Patent [191 Ratliff Jan. 21, 1975 WEIGHT INDEXED DRUM CHANCE APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Raymond W. Ratliff, Dallas, Tex. [73] Assignee: Great Games, Inc., Addison, Tex. [22] Filed: Nov. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 308,605

[52] US. Cl. 273/143 E, 40/77.8 [51] Int. Cl. A63f 5/04 [58] Field of Search 273/143; 46/61; 35/77; 40/68, 77.4, 77.8, 114; 242/552 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 258,387 5/1882 Denning s 273/143 E 609,228 8/1898 Clarke 242/552 724,392 3/1903 Hurd 273/143 R UX 2,521,899 9/1950 Carlin 242/552 2,725,029 11/1955 Ammerman 40/77.8 X 2,850,821 9/1958 Warren 273/143 R X 3,184,885 5/1965 Gibson 46/61 3,455,035 7/1969 Breneman .1 273/143 R X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richards, Harris &' Medlock [57] ABSTRACT A chance apparatus includes a drum assembly comprising a hollow cylinder and an exterior printed layer defining a plurality of rings each divided into a plural ity of segments. The drum assembly is rotatably supported in a housing comprising an aperture adapted to simultaneously expose one segment of each ring. The drum assembly further comprises a molded disk member received in one end of the cylinder and a first axle extending from the molded disk member. A detent mechanism includes a molded cup member received in the opposite end of the cylinder and including a cylindrical portion having-a plurality of ridges spaced about its interior periphery in accordance with the spacing of the segments on the exterior of the drum. A ball is received in the cylindrical portion of the cup member and cooperates with the ridges to terminate each rotation of the drum assembly with one of the segments on the exterior of the drum aligned with the aperture of the housing. A radially extending wall of the cup member encloses one end of the cylindrical portion, and a molded disk member is received in the cylindrical portion to enclose the opposite end. A second axle projects outwardly from the detent mechanism along the axis of the-drum. The housing comprises a molded interior shell and an exterior printed layer. The shell includes opposed bearing members which receive the axles and thereby rotatably support the drum assembly.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures WEIGHT INDEXED DRUM CHANCE APPARATUS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to chance drum apparatus, and more particularly to an economical chance drum apparatus useful as a component of table games, and the like.

Chance apparatus has long been associated with gambling such as roulette, chuck-a-luck, etc. More recently similar apparatus has been utilized in table games, for example, simulated football games, simulated baseball games, simulated golf games, and the like. In the latter instance the chance apparatus may comprise a drum assembly in which the exterior periphery is separated into a plurality of axially spaced rings. Each ring is in turn divided into a plurality of circumferentially extending segments each associated with a result or play appropriate to the particular game.

A number of considerations come into play in the design of a chance apparatus suitable for use in conjunction with table games. First, the chance apparatus must be extremely economical to manufacture if the table game is to compete successfully in the marketplace. For all practical purposes, this requirement effectively rules out the use of machined parts, antifriction bearings, and similar components in the chance apparatus.

Second, the chance apparatus must be adapted for transportation from the manufacturer to the ultimate consumer without damage. In the case of a drum-type chance apparatus, one area of particular concern in this regard is the bearing structure which rotatably supports the drum. It has been found that the bearing structure is often damaged or completely destroyed due to shock loads that are encountered during transportation.

Third, the chance apparatus must be adapted for longterm, maintenance-free service after it is received by the ultimate consumer. This is highly important to a belief on the part of the consumer that he has purchased a quality product and hence to referral and repeat sales that may be influenced by the consumer. A related consideration is that if the chance apparatus functions for an extended period of time without repairs, both the retailer and the manufacturer are relieved of the necessity of stocking spare parts, etc.

The present invention relates to a novel chance apparatus which fulfills the foregoing requirements. In accordance with the broader aspect of the invention, a chance apparatus comprises a drum assembly including a hollow cylinder having its exterior periphery sepa rated into a plurality of circumferentially extending segments. A first disk member is received in one end of the cylinder, and a first axle projects outwardly from the first disk member along the axis of the cylinder. A cup member is received in the opposite end of the cylinder and comprises a cylindrical portion including an interior periphery defining a plurality of segments spaced in accordance with the segments of the cylinder. A ball is loosely received in the cup member for cooperation with the segments thereof to terminate each rotation of the cylinder with a randomly selected segment in a predetermined orientation. The ball is confined by a radially extending wall of the cup member and a second disk member which is received in the cylindrical portion. A second axle extends along the axis of the cylinder.

In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, the cup member and the two disk members of the drum assembly are adapted for manufacture by mass production techniques, such as injection molding. The hollow cylinder may comprise a conventional fiberboard tube, in which case the circumferentially extending segments on the exterior of the cylinder are provided by a printed sheet which is adhesively secured to the exterior of the tube.

The chance apparatus further includes a housing comprising a molded interior shell and a printed layer which is adhesively secured to the exterior of the shell. The shell is provided with bearing members which receive the axles of the drum assembly to rotatably support the drum assembly in the housing. The housing is sufficiently resilient to permit the axles of the drum assembly to be assembled into the bearings of the housing by the consumer. This permits the chance apparatus to be transported with the axles of the drum assembly disengaged from the bearing members, whereby any possibility of damage to the axles of the bearing members due to shock loads encountered during transportation is completely eliminated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chance apparatus in corporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the chance apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view takengenerally along the line 33 in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the exterior of the drum as sembly of the chance apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the assembly of a chance apparatus incorporating the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a chance apparatus 10 incorporating the present invention. The chance appa-- ratus 10 comprises a housing 12 and a drum assembly 14 supported within the housing 12 for rotation about its own axis. The housing 12 is provided with an aperture 16 which permits access to the drum 14 whereby the drum is adapted for manual rotation.

The chance apparatus 10 is adapted for use as a component part of a table game. In such instances, the periphery of the drum 14 is typically divided into a plurality of axially spaced rings 18, and each ring 18 is in turn divided into a plurality of circumferentially extending segments 20. Typically, each segment 20 of each ring 18 corresponds to a particular play or result of the game. The housing 12 may be provided with a series of legends 22 each corresponding to one of the rings 18 of the drum 14. It will be understood that the number and contents of the segments 20 as well as the nature of the legends 22 will depend substantially entirely on the nature of the particular table game.

The particular chance apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 further comprises an aperture 24 formed in the housing and adapted to simultaneously expose one segment of each ring 18 of the drum 14. As will become more apparent hereinafter, the chance apparatus 10 further comprises detent means which function to terminate each rotation of the drum 14 with one segment 20 of each ring 18 precisely aligned with the aperture 24. By this means, the chance apparatus 10 functions in conjunction with the remaining components of the table game to control the play of the game.

The construction of the housing 12 of the chance apparatus 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The housing 12 comprises an inner shell 30 formed from one of the tough, relatively resilient plastic materials such as polyethylene and copolymers thereof, polystyrene and copolymers thereof, etc. The shell 30 may be formed by means of mass production techniques, such as injection molding, vacuum forming, or the like. The exterior of the shell 30 is covered by a layer 32 formed from paper, plastic film, or the like. The layer 32 is secured to the shell 30 by means of a suitable adhesive.

The foregoing construction of the housing 12 has been found to be advantageous in a number of respects. First, the inner shell 30 renders the housing 12 substantially unbreakable in ordinary use. Second, the outer layer 32 is adapted for printing as a flat sheet by means of high-quality printing techniques. This is advantageous in that the exterior of the housing 12 is provided with a pleasing and high quality exterior finish without the necessity of printing on the various surfaces of the shell 30. Perhaps more importantly, the construction of the housing 12 illustrated in FIG. 2 permits the use of different exterior layers 32 when the chance apparatus 10 is used with different table games.

The housing 12 further comprises a pair of opposed bearing

members

34 and 36. The bearing members each comprise a slot 38 having a ramp-shaped end surface 40. The ramps 40 of the slots 38 extend angularly inwardly to a pair of opposed, cylindrical axle receiving holes 42. It is important that the holes 42 be directly aligned with one another.

The construction of the drum 14 is also illustrated in FIG. 2. The drum 14 comprises a hollow cylinder 44 which may comprise a conventional cardboard tube. Alternatively, the tube 44 may be formed from one of the various plastics. The tube 44 is provided with an outer layer 46 which is secured to the tube 44 by a conventional adhesive. The layer 46 is preferably formed from paper or plastic film, and is printed to provide the rings 18 and the segments 20 of the drum 14.

It would of course be possible to print the rings 18 and the segments 20 directly on the outer periphery of the tube 44. The method of construction illustrated in the Drawings is preferred, however, from a number of standpoints. First, the process eliminates the necessity of printing the rings and segments on the cylindrical exterior of the tube 44. Rather, the layer 46 may be printed as a flat sheet by means of high-quality printing techniques whereby the appearance of the drum 14 is substantially enhanced. Perhaps more importantly, the present technique is advantageous in that the chance apparatus 10 may be utilized for a different game by merely substituting a different exterior layer 46 on the cylinder 44.

One end of the drum 14 comprises a disk member 50 which is adapted for manufacture from one of the various plastic materials by means of mass production techniques, such as injection molding. The disk member 50 includes a circular plate 52 and a first axle 54 extending outwardly from the plate along the axis of the drum 14. A cylindrical portion 50 extends inwardly from the plate 52 and is received by the cylinder 44. The outside diameter of the cylindrical portion 56 of the disk member 50 is closely matched to the inside diameter of the cylinder 44 so that the cylindrical portion 56 function to position the first axle 54 radially relative to the drum 14.

The circular plate 52 includes a rim 58 projecting outwardly beyond the cylindrical portion 50 for engagement with the end of the tube 46 to establish the axial positioning of the first axle 54 relative to the drum 14.

The chance apparatus 10 further includes a detent apparatus 60 which is mounted in the end of the drum l4 remote from the first disk member 50. The detent apparatus 60 comprises a cup 62 and a second disk member 64. Like the first disk member 50, both the cup 62 and the second disk member 64 comprising the detent apparatus 60 are adapted for manufacture from one of the plastic materials by means of low-cost mass production techniques, such as injection molding.

The cup 62 of the detent apparatus 60comprises a cylindrical portion 66 which is received in the cylinder 44 of the drum 14. As is best shown in FIG. 3, the interior of the cylindrical portion 66 of the cup 62 comprises a series of ridges 68 defining a series of segments arranged about the interior of the cylindrical portion 62 of the detent apparatus 60 in accordance with the positioning of the segments 20 on the exterior of the drum 14. The interior of the cup portion 62 is closed at the inner end by a wall 70 extending substantially radially relative to the drum 14. A relatively small diameter hollow cylinder 72 extends outwardly from the wall 70 along the axis of the drum 14.

The disk member 64 of the detent apparatus 60 comprises a circular plate 74 and a second axle 76 extending outwardly from the plate 74 along the axis of the drum 14. The outer periphery of the plate 74 is received within the cylindrical portion 66 of the cup 62 so as to define the outer wall thereof. The disk member 64 further comprises an inwardly extending small diameter cylindrical portion 78 which is received in the cylindrical portion 72 of the cup 62.

The radial positioning of the second axle 76 is dependent upon a number of components of the detent apparatus 60. First, the outside diameter of the cylindrical portion 66 of the cup 62 is closely matched to the inside diameter of the cylinder 44 of the drum 14. The cylindrical portion 72 of the cup 62 is concentric with the cylindrical portion 66 thereof. Finally, the second axle 76 and the cylindrical portion 78 of the disk member 74 are also concentric. By this means the second axle 76 is constrained to extend along the axis of the drum 14.

The axial positioning of the second axle 76 is also determined by various components of the detent apparatus 60. A rim 80 extends around the outer end of the cylindrical portion 60 of the cup 62 and is adapted for engagement with the end of the cylinder 44. The inner surface of the circular plate 74 of the disk member 64 engages a shoulder 82 on the cylindrical member 72 of the cylindrical member 66. By this means the axial positioning of the second axle 76 is correctly fixed relative to the drum 14.

The rim 80 of the cup 62 further comprises a small exterior projection 84. As is clearly shown in FIG. 3, the projection 84 is circumferentially aligned with one of the ridges 68 on the interior of the cup 62. The function of the projection 84 is to permit alignment of the segments of the rings 18 on the exterior of the drum 14 with the ridges 68 on the interior of the detent apparatus 60 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. This in turn assures exact registration of one segment 20 of each ring 18 with the aperture 24 of the housing 12 following each rotation of the drum l4. Correct registration is further assured by means of a plurality of segments 20' formed on the end of the exterior layer 46 adjacent the projection 84.

The detent apparatus 60 further comprises a ball 86 which is contained within the cup 62 by the disk member 64. As is best shown in FIG. 3, adjacent ridges 68 on the interior of the cup 62 are adapted to receive the ball 86 therebetween. The ball 86 comprises a substantial mass relative to the remainder of the drum l4 and detent apparatus 60, for example, the ball may be formed from steel. By this means the ball 86 operates under the action of gravity to assure that a point precisely aligned between a randomly selected pair of ridges 68 will be vertically oriented at the end of each rotation of the drum 14. This fact, together with the alignment of the segments 20 on the exterior of the drum 14 relative to the projection 84, assures that one segment 20 of each ring 18 of the drum 14 will be aligned with the aperture 24 following each rotation of the drum. As has been indicated previously, the outer layer 32 of the housing 12 and the outer layer 46 of the drum 14 are preferably secured to the shell and to the cylinder 44, respectively, by means of a suitable adhesive. The cup 62 of the detent apparatus 60 is also preferably adhesively secured within the cylinder 44 so as to maintain registration between the ridges 68 of the cup and the segments 20 of the drum. It has been found that the disk member 64 may be secured to the cup 62 by means of an interference fit between the exterior of the cylindrical portion 78 and the interior of the cylindrical portion 72. On the other hand, it is deemed unnecessary to secure the disk member 50 in the cylinder 36. This is because precise registration between the disk member 50 and the cylinder 44 is not required in the operation of the chance apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a detent apparatus which may be utilized in the chance apparatus 10 in lieu of the detent apparatus 60. The detent apparatus 60' comprises a cup 62' and a circular plate 64'. Like the component parts of the detent apparatus 60, the cup 62' and the plate 64' comprising the detent apparatus 60' are adapted for manufacture from one of the various plastic materials by mass production techniques, such as injection molding.

The cup 62' of the detent apparatus 60' comprises a cylindrical portion 66' having a plurality of ridges 68 formed at spaced intervals around its interior periphery. The ridges 68 are preferably identical in configuration to and are positioned in accordance with the positioning of the ridges 68 as shown in FIG. 3.

The inner end of the cup 62 of the detent apparatus 60 is closed by a wall 70' which extends substantially radially to the drum 14. A relatively small diameter cylinder 72 extends outwardly from the wall along the axis of the drum 14. A second axle 76' extends outwardly from the outer end of the cylinder 72', also along the axis of the drum 14.

The disk member 64 of the detent apparatus 60' comprises a circular plate which is received in the cylindrical portion 66 of the cup 62 so as to close the outer end thereof. The disk member 64' is provided with an aperture 78' which receives the second axle 76. By this means the disk member 64' serves to reinforce the second axle 76.

The radial and axial positioning of the second axle 76' of the detent apparatus 60' is determined similarly to the positioning of the axle of the detent apparatus 60. Thus, the outside diameter of the cylindrical portion 66' of the cup 62' is closely matched to the inside diameter of the cylinder 44 of the drum 14. The cylindrical portion 72 and the second axle 76' are concentric with the cylindrical portion 66, whereby the second axle 76 is constrained to extend along the axis of the drum 14. The axial positioning of the second axle 76' is established by a rim 80' extending around the outer end of the cylindrical portion 66 of the cup 62'. The rim 80' engages the end of the cylinder 44 of the drum 14 to establish the axial positioning of the second axle 76.

The detent apparatus 60 further comprises a projec-.

tion 84 which serves the same function as the projection 84 of the detent apparatus 60, Le, to establish registration between the segments 20 on the exterior periphery of the drum 14 and the ridges 68 of the detent apparatus 60. A ball 86' is contained within the cup 62' of the detent apparatus 60' by the disk member 64'. As will be apparent from the foregoing, the ridges 68 of the detent mechanism 60' are adapted to receive the ball 86' therebetween, whereby a randomly selected segment 20 of each ring 18 of the drum 14 is brought into registration with the .aperture 24 of the housing 22 following each rotation of the drum.

A detent apparatus 60" which also may be utilized in the practice of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. The detent apparatus 60" comprises a cup 62" adapted for manufacture from one of the various plastic materials by means of mass production techniques, such as injection molding. The cup 62" comprises an outer wall 70" and a cylindrical portion 66" extending inwardly therefrom. The cylindrical portion 66" comprises a plurality of ridges 68" which are shaped and spaced substantially identically to the ridges 68 shown in FIG. 3.

The inner end of the cup 62" is closed by a flat, circular member 74" which is received in the cylindrical portion 66". A second axle 76" projects outwardly from the wall 70" along the axis of the drum 14. The radial and axial positioning of the second axle 76" is maintained in a manner similar to the manner in which the positioning of the axle 76 of the detent apparatus 60 is established.

The detent apparatus 60" further comprises a projection 84" which functions to maintain registration between the ridges 68" and the segments 20 on the periphery of the drum 14. A ball 86" is contained within the cup 62" and is adapted to be received between adjacent ridges 68". By this means the ball 86" functions under the action of gravity and in cooperation with the ridges 68" to terminate each rotation of the drum l4 with one segment of each ring 18 exposed through the aperture 24 of the housing 22.

A game including a chance apparatus incorporating the present invention is preferably transported from the manufacturer to the ultimate consumer with the drum l4 disassembled from the housing 12, that is, with the

axles

54 and 76 disengaged from the

bearings

34 and 36. This is advantageous because it completely eliminates any possibility of damage to these parts due to the shock loads that are encountered during shipping. On the other hand, transportation of the chance apparatus 10 in a disassembled state requires that the drum 14 be assembled into the housing 12 prior to the use of the chance apparatus.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 7, assembly of the drum 14 into the housing 12 of the chance apparatus 10 comprises an extremely simple procedure. One of the

axles

54 or 76 is first positioned in its

respective bearing

34 or 36 in the manner shown. Thereafter, the opposite axle is inserted into the slot 38 adjacent its corresponding bearing. The corresponding end of the housing 12 is then bowed slightly, whereupon the axle slides down the ramp 40 and into the axle receiving hole 42. The housing 12 is then allowed to return to its normal state, whereupon the

axles

54 and 76 of the drum 14 are securely retained in the

bearings

34 and 36. By this means there is provided a substantially permanent mounting for the drum 14 within the housing 12 of the chance apparatus 10.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention comprises a chance apparatus comprising numerous advantages over the prior art. Perhaps most importantly, all of the component parts of the apparatus are adapted for manufacture from lowcost materials by means of mass production techniques. By this means there is provided a chance apparatus which is extremely economical to manufacture. At the same time the apparatus is adapted for long-term service with substantially no possibility of damage to the component parts thereof. Finally, chance apparatus incorporating the invention are adapted for transportation in a disassembled state and for assembly by the ultimate consumer without difficulty. This assures that the apparatus will be received by the consumer intact and ready for use.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a chance apparatus of the type wherein a drum having segments disposed circumferentially about its exterior periphery is supported for rotation about its axis, the combination with said drum of a detent mechanism comprising:

a molded cup member supported for rotation with the drum and including a cylindrical portion having a plurality of axially extending ridges disposed at equally spaced points around its interior periphery and a radially extending wall portion located within said drum enclosing one end of the cylindrical portion;

said cup member further including a relatively small diameter hollow cylindrical portion extending from the radially extending wall portion;

a molded disk member received in the cylindrical portion of the cup member to enclose the opposite end thereof;

said disk member further including a cylindrical portion adapted for cooperation with the small diameter cylindrical portion of the cup member to retain the disk member on the cup member;

weight means enclosed in the cylindrical portion of the cup member for cooperation with the ridges to terminate each rotation of the cup member with one of the segments of the drum in a predetermined orientation; and

an axle extending from the disk member and positioned outside of said drum.

2. A chance apparatus comprising:

1. a drum including:

a. a hollow cylinder, and

b. sheet means adhesively secured to the exterior surface of the cylinder and defining a plurality of circumferentially extending segments;

2. a disk member received in one end of the drum and comprising:

a. a first axle projecting outwardly from said one end of the drum along the axis thereof,

b. a cylindrical surface engaging the interior surface of the cylinder of the drum to position the first axle radially, and I c. an annular surface engaging said one end of the drum to position the first axle axially;

3. detent means secured in the opposite end of the drum and comprising:

a. a second axle projecting outwardly from said opposite end of the drum along the axis thereof,

b. an external cylindrical surface engaging the interior surface of the cylinder of the drum to position the second axle radially,

c. an annular surface engaging said opposite end of the drum to position the second axle axially;

d. an internal cylindrical surface having axially extending, circumferentially spaced ridges formed thereon,

e. an exposed member having a predetermined alignment with the ridges of the internal cylindrical surface for facilitating registration of the detent means with the circumferentially extending segments of the drum, and

f. weight means loosely received on the internal cylindrical surface for cooperation with the ridges thereof to terminate each rotation of the'drum with a randomly selected circumferentially extending segment thereof in a predetermined rotational position;

4. a housing including:

a. a molded plastic shell normally substantially enclosing the drum and having a slot formed therein for exposing the circumferentially extending segment of the drum which is in the predetermined rotational portion, and

b. bearing means formed integrally with the housing and comprising opposed, aligned, cylindrical holes for receiving the first and second axles of the drum; and

5. the detent means being further characterized by:

a. a molded plastic cup member comprising the external cylindrical surface, the annular surface, the internal cylindrical surface, and the exposed registration member, and

b. a molded plastic disk member received in the cup member and comprising the second axle.

3. The chance apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the bearing means of the housing further includes slots extending to the opposed, aligned, cylindrical axle receiving holes,

whereby the chance apparatus may be transported from the point of manufacture to the ultimate consumer with the drums disassembled from the housing, and the drum may be assembled into the housing by deforming the shell of the housing sufficiently to permit assembly of the axles of the drum 5. The chance apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the housing is further characterized by sheet means adhesively secured to the exterior surface thereof and having indicia printed thereon.

Claims

1. In a chance apparatus of the type wherein a drum having segments disposed circumferentially about its exterior periphery is supported for rotation about its axis, the combination with said drum of a detent mechanism comprising: a molded cup member supported for rotation with the drum and including a cylindrical portion having a plurality of axially extending ridges disposed at equally spaced points around its interior periphery and a radially extending wall portion located within said drum enclosing one end of the cylindrical portion; said cup member further including a relatively small diameter hollow cylindrical portion extending from the radially extending wall portion; a molded disk member received in the cylindrical portion of the cup member to enclose the opposite end thereof; said disk member further including a cylindrical portion adapted for cooperation with the small diameter cylindrical portion of the cup member to retain the disk member on the cup member; weight means enclosed in the cylindrical portion of the cup member for cooperation with the ridges to terminate each rotation of the cup member with one of the segments of the drum in a predetermined orientation; and an axle extending from the disk member and positioned outside of said drum.

2. A chance apparatus comprising:

2. a disk member received in one end of the drum and comprising: a. a first axle projecting outwardly from said one end of the drum along the axis thereof, b. a cylindrical surface engaging the interior surface of the cylinder of the drum to position the first axle radially, and c. an annular surface engaging said one end of the drum to position the first axle axially;

3. detent means secured in the opposite end of the drum and comprising: a. a second axle projecting outwardly from said opposite end of the drum along the axis thereof, b. an external cylindrical surface engaging the interior surface of the cylinder of the drum to position the second axle radially, c. an annular surface engaging said opposite end of the drum to position the second axle axially; d. an internal cylindrical surface having axially extending, circumferentially spaced ridges formed thereon, e. an exposed member having a predetermined alignment with the ridges of the internal cylindrical surface for facilitating registration of the detent means with the circumferentially extending segments of the drum, and f. weight means loosely received on the internal cylindrical surface for cooperation with the ridges thereof to terminate each rotation of the drum with a randomly selected circumferentially extending segment thereof in a predetermined rotational position;

3. The chance apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the bearing means of the housing further includes slots extending to the opposed, aligned, cylindrical axle receiving holes, whereby the chance apparatus may be transported from the point of manufacture to the ultimate consumer with the drums disassembled from the housing, and the drum may be assembled into the housing by deforming the shell of the housing sufficiently to permit assembly of the axles of the drum into the axle receiving holes of the housing, such assembly being further facilitated by the slots of the bearing means which guide the axles of the drum into the axle receiving holes of the housing.

4. The chance apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the housing is further characterized by a second slot formed in the molded plastic shell to facilitate direct contact of a user with the exterior of the drum and thereby facilitating manual rotation of the drum relative to the housing.

4. a housing including: a. a molded plastic shell normally substantially enclosing the drum and having a slot formed therein for exposing the circumferentially extending segment of the drum which is in the predetermined rotational portion, and b. bearing means formed integrally with the housing and comprising opposed, aligned, cylindrical holes for receiving the first and second axles of the drum; and

5. the detent means being further characterized by: a. a molded plastic cup member comprising the external cylindrical surface, the annular surface, the internal cylindrical surface, and the exposed registration member, and b. a molded plastic disk member received in the cup member and comprising the second axle.

5. The chance apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the housing is further characterized by sheet means adhesively secured to the exterior surface thereof and having indicia printed thereon.