Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Patent
1999-01-29
2000-08-29
Chiu, Raleigh W.
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
273348, 273402, 273405, A63F 902, G07F 1738
Patent
active
06109613&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an amusement machine, and more particularly to a game apparatus in which playing pieces are projected at a target by a player.
The playing pieces are small articles such as balls or coins. In the context of this specification, the term "coin" is used to indicate coins of every day currency and also non-monetary discs or tokens of a generally similar kind.
Amusement machines are known in which coin projecting means are used by a player to project coins towards a target panel. In GB-A-2 112 654, the coin projecting means comprise a rotatable, ribbed drum positioned beneath coin entry slots. The target panel incorporates a plurality of baskets containing sensors actuated by a coin passing through a basket to secure a predetermined award. One of the baskets may be movable. The player has some control over the projection of a coin by selecting a coin slot in which to insert a coin at any particular time. However, the ribbed drum gives an unpredictable coin path.
GB-A-2 218 644 discloses a coin projecting game apparatus in which a rotating target carousel is provided. This provides a plurality of target panels each having at least one jackpot opening dimensioned to receive a projected coin. The coin projecting means include a resilient impeller wheel driven at a constant high speed and positioned in a channel-like track. A coin is projected into the track so is to make an interference fit with the wheel, which thereby projects the coin with high velocity from the track. A movable coin deflector is incorporated in the track so as to randomise the direction of the projected coin.
We have sought to provide an improved game apparatus in which a greater degree of skill can be exercised by the player. In one aspect, this involves the player being able to move the coin projecting means so as to direct projected coins to a desired portion of the target panel. In a second aspect, which may be separate or combined with the first aspect, winner openings in the target panel are alternately opened and closed so that the player has to exercise skill in timing the projection of playing pieces such as coins as well as controlling their direction.
In one aspect, the invention provides a game apparatus in which playing pieces are projected at a target by a player, comprising a player console, a target panel spaced apart from the player console, playing piece projecting means disposed at the player console for projecting a playing piece provided by a player towards the target panel, at least one winner area in the target panel and dimensioned to receive a playing piece projected from the projecting means, and means for issuing a prize in response to a projected playing piece being received in the or a winner area, characterised in that a movable cover is provided to alternately obscure and expose the or each winner area in a regular or random fashion. The playing pieces are preferably coins.
In another aspect, the invention provides a coin projecting game apparatus, comprising a player console, a target panel spaced apart from the player console, and coin projecting means disposed at the player console for projecting a coin provided by a player towards the target panel, wherein the coin projecting means comprise a rotatable wheel having a resilient periphery, and a coin guide surface having a central portion which is curved concentrically with a part of said wheel periphery and arranged close to or in contact therewith, and portions of the coin guide surface, on either side of the central portion, extending tangentially away from the wheel periphery; whereby, in use, a coin inserted between the guide surface and trailing side of the wheel, relative to the direction of rotation, is carried around the central portion by rotation of the wheel, with compression of the wheel periphery, and projected from the leading side of the wheel, and wherein the coin projecting means are movable by the player so as to direct projected coins to a desired portion of the target panel.
The coin projecting means may be integra
REFERENCES:
patent: 4109914 (1978-08-01), Matsumoto
patent: 4213612 (1980-07-01), Wildman et al.
patent: 5460384 (1995-10-01), Seidel et al.
patent: 5501466 (1996-03-01), Welch et al.
patent: 5511794 (1996-04-01), Katamoto
Chapman David Anthony
Crompton Gordon James
Chiu Raleigh W.
Cromptons Leisure Machines Limited
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