Amusement devices: games – Physical skill or ability – Game element capture or pick up using manual dexterity
Patent
1994-07-29
1996-05-07
Shapiro, Paul E.
Amusement devices: games
Physical skill or ability
Game element capture or pick up using manual dexterity
221210, A63F 900
Patent
active
055138535
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
According to the invention, there is provided an amusement machine comprising a play area for containing a plurality of small portable articles which are accessible from above; scoop means remotely operable by a user of the machine for scooping articles from the play area and transferring them directly or indirectly to a collection station; sensor means for detecting the amount of articles at the collection station; and dispensing means for dispensing a cash or non-cash prize in response to a signal from the sensor means.
In addition, the amusement machine preferably comprises some or all of the following further features. The small portable articles are balls, for example made of plastic (e.g. nylon) or metal. A collector chute is provided close to the play area for receiving balls from the scoop means, and a continuously moving conveyor system receives the balls from the collector chute and transports them into a collector hopper which constitutes the collection station.
The machine is preferably coin- or counter-operated. On insertion of a coin, the user is able to operate the scoop means for a fixed time. The prize dispensed is then in proportion to the number of balls collected at the collection station in the fixed time, and the number of balls collected is measured by the sensor means. Instead of dispensing a prize immediately, the user may gain a "credit" which counts towards a more valuable prize on further use of the machine. After each time of use has expired, balls which have collected at the collecting station are returned to the play area.
In one embodiment, the prize is a small article enclosed in a spherical capsule (hereinafter called a prize capsule) and is dispensed into the play area, from which the user of the machine may retrieve it by use of the scoop means. The prize capsule will preferably be of larger diameter than the regular small balls, so that it can be distinguished from them by the machine mechanism.
Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C respectively show a front view, side view and rear view of a machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1D is a detail view taken from line 1D of FIG. 1A.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D correspond respectively to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and show the location of sub-assemblies;
FIGS. 3(A)-3(D) show the function of a pneumatic digger arm which constitutes the scoop means in the machine;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are respectively a plan view and a side view of a conveyor system used in the machine;
FIGS. 5A and 5B show the operation of respective control levers or pushbuttons by means of which the user of the machine remotely operates the scoop means;
FIGS. 6(A)-6(B) show "tonnage" and "fuel" dials, which display information to the user; and
FIG. 7 shows the function of the collector hopper (collection station) and release flap.
The concept of the game for which the machine is used is to scoop balls 30 from a play area 3 by means of a digger arm 4. The user of the machine operates the digger arm 4 to pass the balls into a collector chute 5, from which they are taken by means of a conveyor system 6 to a collector hopper 7, which counts how many balls have been collected. The player then receives a cash or non-cash prize, depending on how many balls have been collected within a defined time. The balls are then released back into the play area, so that the game can be played again.
The machine has an outer casing 1 mounted on wheels 2. Within the casing there is defined a play area 3 in the form of a reservoir in which a large number of balls 30 may be placed, several layers deep. A pneumatic digger arm 4 is remotely operable by the player from outside the casing. The digger arm can be used to scoop up the balls from the play area and transfer them to a collector chute 5. The balls pass down the collector chute 5 onto the lower end of a conveyor system 6 which transfers them upwardly and into a collector hopper 7. The entrance of the collector hopper 7 is large enough to permit entry of the regula
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Burton Maurice
Crompton Gordon
Osborn Simon
Cromptons Leisure Machines Limited
Shapiro Paul E.
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