Amusement devices: games – Chance devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-03-27
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Chance devices
C273S138200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206370
ABSTRACT:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves gaming devices designed to reward the skill of the player. The games have a relatively simple design and are accordingly easy and inexpensive to manufacture and can be adapted to a number of commercial embodiments. In accordance with the invention, a coin is inserted into a coin track having an U-shaped structure to cause the coin to roll in the track. The word “coin” is used herein to mean a monetary coin such as a quarter or it may also mean a token. The track directs the coin toward target receptacles and relative motion is provided between the track and the target receptacles as the coin rolls in the coin track. The player records a win and receives a reward if the player times the insertion of a coin into the track to cause the coin to land in the target receptacle. In addition, a player can win a jackpot and receive an award corresponding to all the coins accumulated in a target receptacle if the player achieves a precise timing of the coin to cause the coin to hit a dump target for the target receptacle.
A slot or slots are provided for the reception of coins or tokens. Coins which are inserted into a slot are directed to a coin acceptor. If the coin is genuine, it is next directed to an inclined track.
In the first embodiment, the top of the coin track is pivotally attached under the exit of the coin acceptor. The opposite end of the track is suspended in air over the play area and can move in an arc which spans a series of target receptacles. The track is moved by a linkage to a rotating wheel or cam provided inside of the cabinet to provide relative movement between the coin track and target receptacles. In this embodiment, the targeted receptacles comprise a series of toy dump trucks each having a bed and a dump lever. A player can score either by landing a coin in the bed of the truck or score a jackpot by hitting the dump lever with a coin. When the dump lever is hit, the player receives an award corresponding to the number of coins in the truck bed.
In a second alternative embodiment, the target receptacles are open train cars or trams, which are positioned around the periphery of a horizontal turntable having a simulated train track extending around the periphery thereof and on which the train cars are positioned. The turntable is rotated to provide simulated motion of the train cars traveling around the track on the turntable. Supported above the rotating turntable is a coin receiving console and from which coin tracks extend downwardly toward the train cars. The console has a coin receiving slot on all four lateral sides thereof to provide four playing positions on each of four sides positioned around the rotating turntable. A coin receiver is provided for each coin slot and a coin track is provided for each coin slot extending down toward the rotating train cars. When a coin is inserted into the slot, the coin, if genuine, will be directed into the coin track which directs the coin out toward the rotating train cars. If the coin is inserted at the proper time, the coin will fall into one of the train cars and be recorded as a win. If the insertion of a coin is perfectly timed, the coin will land in a dump slot, one of which is positioned over each train car. A coin landing and remaining in the dump slot will actuate a switch to cause the train car to be dumped and will be scored as a jackpot for the player who causes the coin to land and remain in the dump slot. The player will then receive an award corresponding to the number of coins in the car.
In both of the above described embodiments, coins which do not land in the target vehicle, either a dump truck or a train car, fall into the coin pit and are detected as they fall into coin collector. A win is detected, represented by a coin landing in the target vehicle, by the system failing to detect a coin falling into the coin collector a predetermined time interval after insertion of the coin into the coin slot.
When the player records a win, he is awarded with tickets or, alternatively, he may be awarded to coins or tokens.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4043406 (1977-08-01), Wolf
patent: 4061334 (1977-12-01), Kanno
patent: 4662636 (1987-05-01), Crompton
patent: 4759551 (1988-07-01), Crompton
patent: 5176380 (1993-01-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5275402 (1994-01-01), Malavazos et al.
patent: 5622366 (1997-04-01), Inoue
Aitken Richard L.
Benchmark Entertaiment, L.C.
Collins Dolores R.
Harrison Jessica J.
Venable
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