Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-03
2001-05-08
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
C463S064000, C463S058000, C463S006000, C273S138200, C273S442000, C273S12700D, C273S12700D, C273S11800R, C273S11800R, C273S12200A, C273S12200A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227967
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
The invention is related to an entertainment and skill game for one or more players and, more particularly, to a game wherein an object, that is enclosed within a playing area, is propelled along a track until it strikes a means for reversing the direction of the object. The player's ability to control and regulate the striking force of the object determines the score and results in rewards to the player(s) and the enclosure prevents player interference with the object.
B) Description of Related Art
There exist various board games, game apparatuses and machines for one or more players where an object is propelled along a surface to obtain a score based on the player's ability to accurately control the speed and position of the object. However, these prior art games and devices suffer from inherent drawbacks in their ability (or lack of ability) to adequately calculate and relay the score for each player, as well as adequately challenge the skill level of each player. Additionally, the conventional gaming devices fail to include any means for changing and displaying multiple scoring zones and associated winning value for each scoring zone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is prize redemption game apparatus including an elongated runway having a first end and a second end, an elastic abutment member at the second end of the runway, and a rollable object disposed for rolling travel along the runway between the first end and the second end. The entire playing area is disposed within an enclosure and sensors are provided to prevent a player from interfering or otherwise altering the outcome of each attempt. The rollable object is adapted to be initially propelled in one direction from a starting position toward the abutment member and if the object engages with the abutment member it is propelled in an opposite direction by a rebounding force of the abutment member. The rollable object adapted to stop rolling while moving in either direction at a final position along the runway between the first end and the second end.
The invention features an electronic game controller which determines the position of the stopped object and determines a winning value associated with the final position.
The game apparatus features an electronic display system including a first display board disposed along the runway for displaying multiple value zones and associated winning value for each value zone. The electronic display system is connected with the electronic game controller to allow the winning value to be determined.
The game controller is capable of varying the first display board to change the score zones and the winning values between successive plays of the game propelling the object.
Another aspect of the game apparatus according to the invention is a prize dispensing system for dispensing a prize based on the winning value determined by the game controller. The prize dispensing system is controlled by the game controller.
The prize dispensing system may include a ticket issuing device which issues according to the wining value.
The prize dispensing system may include a toy or candy prize dispensing unit which dispenses a toy or candy prize according to the winning value.
The game apparatus according to the invention further features an automated object return mechanism for automatically retrieving and returning the object from the final position to the initial position. The automated object return mechanism is controlled by the game controller. In the preferred embodiment, the object return mechanism uses an elongated spring rod that engages a horizontal bar under the chassis of the car, which allows a motorized pulley to move the spring and car back to the player.
The game apparatus also features a second display board for displaying a player's status information and wining value information for the player.
The invention further includes an automated game initiation system for initiating a predetermined number of games to be played on the game apparatus by insertion of a predetermined number of coins associated with the predetermined number of games into a coin receptacle. The automated game initiation system is controlled by the game controller.
These and other features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken in connection with the following description and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3865377 (1975-02-01), Cooper et al.
patent: 5011147 (1991-04-01), Thomas et al.
patent: 5029863 (1991-07-01), Krawczyk et al.
patent: 5676371 (1997-10-01), Kelly et al.
Layno Benjamin H.
Liniak Berenato Longacre & White
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