US561869A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 1.

F. L. DECKER. GAME APPARATUS.

No. 561,869. Patented June 9, 1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

F. L. DECKER.

GAME APPARATUS.

PATENT" FRANK "L. DECKER, OF LESTERSHIRE, NEW YORK.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,869, dated June 9, 1896. Application filed September 30, 1895. Serial No. 564,162. No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. DECKER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Les tershire, in the county of Broome and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Game Apparatus, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawin gs. My invention relates to game apparatus; and its object is to provide a novel construction of the same which is adapted for social entertainment and diversion, and being readily available for a great variety of games requiring more or less skill in their performance the device is peculiarly adapted for the amusement of young people or all others who may desire recreation rather than games which demand special dexterity or trained judgment.

he. invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan view of a game apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same on the line a; to, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line y 3 Fig. 1.

In the said drawings the reference-letter A designates a cylindrical box, which may be made of strong cardboard, sheet metal, or other suitable material, provided with a horizontal bar 13, extending from front to rear thereof. Located in said box and supported by said bar is a horizontal partition consisting of a disk. a, of cardboard or other suitable material, having a radial slot from its center to the front end, so that it can be bent down past the bar B, so as to slopeto the front end of the box. The rear portion of the partition slopes from the said. bar toward the rim of the box, forming two side sections 0 and (Z.

The numeral 3 designates a ball trough or channel, consisting of an inclined strip in an approximately horizontal plane, extending from the center to the front end of the box. The said trough at its inner end is formed with an extension 6, which is bent down at each side of the center line, forming inclined wings 7. The strip 3 is which extend up above the strip 3 and which also extend below the same, forming wings 2,

formed with sides 1),

which are secured to the downwardly-bent portion of the partition. These wings are formed with alined openings 9, leading to the chamber formed between said wings, and the rim of the box is formed with an opening 10, communicating with said chamber. The lower ends of the said wings I) are bent outwardly, forming flanges 12, which can be glued or otherwise secured to the partition. The sides 0 and d of the partition are formed with a number of curved slots, through which extend a number of correspondingly-eurved guides 4., forming channels which commence at a point near the apex formed by the junction of said sides and curve gradually forward right and left and downward toward the ball pocket or chamber between the wings 3.

The numeral 5 designates bars journaled to the front and rear guides of each side 0 and d, which overhang the inner ends of the intermediate guides. These bars are provided with laterally-extending fingers 6, the first two of which, counting from the front, nominally lie in the channels, while the third finger of each series is formed with a hooked end.

A stop 7 a in the form of a wire staple is inserted in the apex of the partition a short distance in the rear of the center of the box and is rearwardly flanked by deflec tingnvings 8.

It is evident that a vast variety of games may be played with this device, one of which requiring more than ordinary judgment and skill,will now be described. Two players being engaged, one is supplied with three balls or marbles of a certain color, while the other has the same number of a contrasting color. The first player places aball in the front end of the trough 3 and flips it with his finger, endeavoring to regulate the force and direction in such manner as to drive it into the most distant channel on his side, whereby it will be arrested by the hook-ed finger. If he should succeed in placing the three balls in that manner, he is entitled to demand his opponents balls and continue his play. It is obvious that if a ball should not have sufficient impulse or the proper direction it will stop short and inevitably gravitate into one of the near channels and return to the player through one of the openings 9 and the 0pening 10 in the front of the box. In that event the player gives way to his opponent. It will IOO also be understood that tl'iough a player may place one or two balls as desired, if the third or last ball should fail and run into one of the nearer channels it will pass under one of the straight fingers, thereby raising the hooked finger and permitting the other balls to escape. The other player then proceeds to play.

In the performance of difficult games the box should be held in the left hand. By varying its position the force as well as the direction of the ball may be greatly modified. For easier exercises the box may be placed on a table and the game be accordingly simplified.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a game apparatus, the combination with the box, the sloping partition, and the ball-tro ugh, of the downwardly and forwardly sloping curved guides at opposite sides of said partition, the pivoted bars at the inner ends of said guides, provided with laterally-extending straight fingers, and at the rear end provided with hooked fingers, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination with the box, having an opening in its rim, the forwardly and sidewise sloping partition, the central strip having its sides inclined downwardly from the center to the rear, the sides at the front end of said strip forming a ball-trough and extending downward and secured to the sloping partition and formed with ball-openin gs, of the forward and downward extending curved guides at each side of said strip, the bars pivoted to the inner ends thereof, and provided with straight and hooked fingers, substantially as described.

3. In a game apparatus, the combination with the boic having an opening in its rim, the forward and sidewise sloping partition, the central strip having its sides inclined downward from the center to the rear, the sides at the front end of said strip forming a ball-trough and extending downward and sooured to said partition and formed with ballopenings, of the forward and downward extending curved guides, the pivoted bars having straight and hooked fingers, the staple J and the inclined wings secured to the rear upper side of said strip, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto set my hand, this 16th day of September, 1895, in the presence of witnesses.

FRANK L. DECKER.

Vitnesses CHARLES BISHOP, ISAAC ALLERTON.

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