Amusement devices: games – Physical skill or ability – Game element capture or pick up using manual dexterity
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-05
2001-05-22
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Physical skill or ability
Game element capture or pick up using manual dexterity
C273S448000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234487
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to arcade games, and more particularly to mechanical arcade games in which a player controls a mechanical apparatus to achieve goals in the game.
2. Background of the Related Art
Crane-type arcade games are popular amusement devices often provided in game arcades, stores, or other public places. In these types of games, physical prize objects are placed on a floor region within a closed housing and are viewable by a player through transparent glass or the like. Upon the insertion of a coin or token, the player controls a mechanical claw or other pick-up device with controls such as a joystick, buttons, or toggle switch. Typically, a claw is provided above the prize objects and the player can change the position of the claw over the prizes. The claw is lowered towards the prizes by either a controller such as a computer or the player. The claw is either automatically opened and closed when it reaches the level of the prizes or is opened and closed under the player's control, after which the closed claw is automatically elevated. The claw may or may not have grasped a prize and hold onto the prize as the claw is raised. The controller moves the claw over to a dispensing container and opens the claw, allowing the prize (if any is held) to drop into a dispensing chute and to the player.
The claw pick-up games of the prior art have some distinct disadvantages. Typically, certain types of prizes have characteristics that make it difficult for the claw of the prior art to grasp. Examples of prior art claws can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,778,176 and 4,718,667, incorporated herein by reference.
FIG. 1A
depicts a prior art claw pick-up apparatus
100
having three spaced, pivotally mounted prongs or fingers
108
which are moveable between an open position shown in
FIG. 1A and a
closed position, shown in FIG.
1
B. In the closed position of
FIG. 1B
, the fingers are moved together so that an object
116
between the fingers can be gripped and picked up. However, the typical orientation of claw fingers results in gaps between adjacent fingers, through which prizes may fall if the fingers close around and not on the prize, as shown by arrow
114
in FIG.
1
B. For example, prizes having one or more dimensions that are smaller than the spaces between adjacent fingers when the fingers are closed, may easily fall out of the claw rather than being held and carried to the dispensing chute to the player. This particularly may be the case with prizes having a spherical or rounded shape, such as a ball, and with stuffed animals, for example. If such prizes are provided in games with claws of the prior art, players may grow tired of the game due to lack of success when the prizes continually slip out of the claw. On the other hand, to maintain player interest, operators may be required to exclude those types of prizes which may have a tendency to fall between the closed claw fingers. This may limit the types of prizes available in the game and, thus, also reduce player interest in the game.
Operators may also avoid limiting the types of prizes by using a claw having more fingers so as to decrease the distance between adjacent fingers. However, the more fingers used, the more complicated the device. Such a device is potentially more susceptible to break-down which would increase cost due to repair, and reduce revenues of the operator. Also, a closed claw or scoop may be used to pick up a prize and to avoid prizes falling out of the claw. However, such claws require more material, possibly making the device costlier than a finger-type claw, and are heavier, which may increase the wear of those parts of the game which support the claw, increasing maintenance costs and down time, and thus potentially decreasing the revenue of the operator.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a crane game apparatus and method. The apparatus described herein leads to a more precise and varied game for players. More specifically, the game apparatus of the present invention includes a claw device having a gauge for facilitating the grasping of a prize by the claw device.
In one embodiment, the claw device includes an actuating mechanism, and a plurality of fingers pivotally supported by the actuating mechanism such that the fingers can be moved between open and closed positions when the actuating mechanism is moved between first and second positions. The embodiment further includes an elongated gauge with a first end coupled to the actuating mechanism and a second end that is located within a volume defined by the fingers and between the fingers.
A method of the present invention similarly provides a game for a player to pick up and receive an offered prize, the method including providing a claw that has a plurality of fingers which define a volume between the plurality of fingers, and that has a gauge having an end located within said volume between said plurality of fingers. The method further includes positioning the claw substantially over the offered prize, lowering the claw, and closing the fingers on the offered prize to grasp it in the claw while engaging the end of the gauge with the offered prize. In addition, the method includes raising the claw and the offered prize, and opening the fingers to release the offered prize to dispense the offered prize to the player.
With the claw device of the present invention, the gauge facilitates positioning a prize relative to finger tips of the claw device, such that the prize is grasped by the finger tips instead of falling between adjacent fingers. Thus, prizes may be grasped and held with greater certainty and regularity, allowing the player to use skill in placing the claw over a desired prize. The game's objectives may therefore be achieved based on a player's skill rather than the unpredictability and reduced probability of a prior art mechanism being able to grasp all of the types of prizes available in the game.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following descriptions and studying the various figures of the drawings.
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Chiu Raleigh W.
Hickman Coleman & Hughes LLP
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