U.S. patent application number 11/184473 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for amusement device of skill and lottery.
Invention is credited to Stephen P. Shoemaker.
Application Number | 20070018407 11/184473 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37678371 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070018407 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shoemaker; Stephen P. |
January 25, 2007 |
AMUSEMENT DEVICE OF SKILL AND LOTTERY
Abstract
An arcade type amusement device is disclosed including a skill
portion wherein a projectile such as a token is aimed at a target
via a guidance mechanism such as an elongate chute. A deflector may
be used to alter the path of the projectile, where the deflector is
intermittently present along the trajectory of the projectile so as
to require timing to engage the deflector. Upon a successful strike
of the target, a ball is released down a helical track toward a
rotating playing field interspersed with holes assigned various
values. When a ball reaches the rotating playing field, it will
rebound and roll until it falls within one of said holes, whereupon
a point value is awarded based on the particular value of the hole.
The player may receiver redemption tickets or points based on the
point value awarded.
Inventors: |
Shoemaker; Stephen P.;
(Redondo Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
200 OCEANGATE, SUITE 1550
LONG BEACH
CA
90802
US
|
Family ID: |
37678371 |
Appl. No.: |
11/184473 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/356 ;
273/447 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 7/28 20130101; A63F
2250/142 20130101; A63F 7/02 20130101; A63F 2007/282 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/356 ;
273/447 |
International
Class: |
A63B 65/00 20060101
A63B065/00; A63F 9/00 20060101 A63F009/00 |
Claims
1. An amusement device of skill and chance comprising: a housing
including a viewing surface; a playing field located within the
housing, said playing field including a reward system employing a
randomly moving object thereon for selecting a value from among a
set of values; a moving object delivery mechanism that delivers
said moving object to the playing field; a player-operated
projectile guidance device for delivering a projectile toward said
playing field along a trajectory; a projectile repository defining
a target; a projectile deflector intermittently disposed along said
trajectory for deflecting a projectile; and; a control system for
actuating said moving object delivery mechanism to deliver said
moving object onto toward said playing field only after a
projectile has hit said target.
2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said playing field
continuously rotates while the game is being played.
3. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said playing field is
comprised of a plurality of holes adapted to receive said moving
object, where each hole is assigned a different value.
4. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the moving object is a
ball.
5. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the moving object
delivery mechanism includes a helical track for communicating the
moving object to the playing field.
6. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the player-operated
projectile guidance device comprises an elongate chute sized to
receive said projectile therein.
7. The amusement device of claim 6 wherein said elongate chute
comprises a first end external to said housing and elevated from a
second end internal to said housing.
8. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein said projectile is a
token.
9. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said projectile
deflector is a ramp passing between said target and said projectile
guidance device.
10. The amusement device of claim 1 further comprising a ticket
dispenser that dispenses tickets according to a value selected by
said reward system.
11. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said projectile
guidance device may be coupled to said playing field, wherein
rotation of said playing field causes said projectile guidance
device to oscillate.
12. An amusement device of skill and chance comprising: a housing
including a transparent front panel; a rotating playing field
located within the housing, said rotating playing field including a
reward system employing a ball rolling thereon for selecting a
value from among a set of values; a ball delivery mechanism that
delivers said ball to the playing field comprising a helical track
leading from a start position elevated from said rotating playing
field to an end position at said rotating playing field; an
elongate token chute for communicating a token toward said rotating
playing field along a trajectory; a token repository offset from
said projectile trajectory and defining a target, said token
repository including a sensor for detecting the entrance of a token
into said repository; a plurality of ramps oriented radially
outward at an edge of said rotating playing field so as to
intermittently pass in front of said chute, wherein said ramps are
adapted to deflect a token exiting said chute into said token
repository; and; a control system for releasing a ball onto said
helical track toward said rotating playing field only after the
sensor detects that a token has entered the token repository.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to amusement games
such as those found in arcades and the like, and more particularly
to a coin-operated arcade game with a target hitting portion and a
lottery-like random reward portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Arcade games that measure a player's skill and luck are well
known in the art. The present inventor is also the inventor and
owner of many popular games found in today's' arcades. For example,
U.S. Patent No. 4,272,082, entitled "Coin Projecting Amusement
Device," discloses an amusement device wherein coins may be
controllably deposited by the player on a playing surface having a
multiplicity of surface interruption means thereon. A vertical dam
translates over at least a portion of said playing surface and
pushes said deposited coins against a random pattern of accumulated
coins, causing some of said accumulated coins to fall over an edge
into a collecting and counting means. This game is marketed and
sold under the trademark "Wedges and Ledges." U.S. Pat. No.
4,303,248, also invented by the present inventor, discloses an
amusement game where coins are dropped onto a flat surface over
which a vertical dam is horizontally translated. The vertical dam
translates over a portion of the flat surface and drops a certain
of the accumulated coins over the edge. As the coins drop over the
edge, they are collected in a counting chute to be synchronously
counted in a memory which is then unloaded to vend out a
corresponding number of tokens.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,585 also discloses an amusement
apparatus in which a player controls a pushing device to push items
off of a playing field. A moveable surface is driven in a first
pre-determined path and the pusher device is moveable in a linear
path traverse to the path travel of the moveable surface. A
delivery passage at one end of the path of the pusher device is
arranged to deliver any item swept off the surface to a retrieval
bin. U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,045 is directed to an amusement device
comprised of a pair of spaced apart elongate members defining a
track, and a rolling member for rolling along that track under
control of an operator. The elongate members are spaced a fixed
distance apart at their first ends since this ends comprising since
this end comprising the normal home position of the rolling member.
The opposite, second ends of the elongate members are moveable
relative to one another to adjust their spacing and to control the
movement of the rolling member along the track. The operator
controls the separation of the elongate member so that the rolling
member can roll from its home position to the opposite end of the
track without falling between the opening separating the elongate
members.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,865 discloses a rotary arcade game
including a turn table having a central aperture. Prizes are
positioned on the surface of the turn table and moved by a pivoting
arm member operated by the player. The player attempts to
manipulate an arm member to push prizes into a collection pocket
where they are detected and dispensed to the player. U.S. Pat. No.
5,855,374 is directed to a crane game using a vacuum to selectively
pick up prizes within a bin. The prizes are arrayed on a rotating
turn table, and the player manipulates a vacuum pick up device
linearly along a radial direction of the turn table to pick up
prizes below. U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,429 discloses another crane game
using a video screen for displaying images. A maneuverable sensor
contacts the display screen to select prizes displayed thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,519 discloses an arcade game including a
directing mechanism for aiming a game piece such as a token. U.S.
Pat. No. 6,598,881 discloses a crane game with a prize
redistribution mechanism for dispersing prizes to a substantially
level configuration. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,001 discloses a
vacuum crane game with targets having beaded portions that vary the
difficulty of acquiring said targets.
[0005] Each of the above-identified games are part of an art of
amusement devices that have been invented by the present inventor.
The present invention is another in the line of games and amusement
devices from the inventor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is an arcade-type coin operated game
wherein a coin or token is placed in a downwardly inclined and
gravity driven chute that propels the token down the chute toward a
target. The end of the chute is aimed at a first window or
repository corresponding to a failed attempt. That is, if a token
is placed in the chute and the token under the influence of gravity
rolls down the chute with its path uninterrupted, the token will
travel straight into the first window or repository resulting in a
failed attempt, ending the game. A second window or repository is
located above the first window, and corresponds to a successful or
"win" attempt. That is, if token is placed in the chute and then
deflected upward into the second window, the player then enters a
lottery phase of the game wherein a random reward is assigned. The
successful deflection altering the path of the token leaving the
chute can be achieved, for example, by a passing a series of ramps
across the path of the token so that if timed properly, a token can
strike the ramp as it passes by to deflect the token over the fail
window and into the success window. The ramps are preferably fixed
to a rotating turn table such that the ramps periodically pass
before the chute in their circular travel around the turn
table.
[0007] In the lottery phase of the game, a successful deflection of
the token into the win slot is sensed by a sensor, causing a ball
to be released from a holding position onto a cycloidal, downwardly
spiraling track. The ball rolls down the spiral track until the
ball leaves the track and enters a rotating playing field. The
rotating playing field includes a number of holes that are sized to
receive the ball, such that when the ball enters the rotating
playing field it will randomly fall into one of the holes. If each
hole is assigned a different point value, then the lottery aspect
of the game is accomplished by the ball falling into a random hole,
and the player is awarded a reward corresponding to a value
associated with the hole.
[0008] Other features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, the features of the invention
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged, cut-away view of the coin chute and
rotating turn table of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating a
successful attempt to strike a ramp with a token and pass the ramp
into the "Win" window;
[0011] FIG. 3A is the cut-away view of the coin chute and rotating
turn table of FIG. 2 illustrating an unsuccessful attempt to strike
a ramp with a token leading the token to pass through the "Lose"
window;
[0012] FIG. 3B is an enlarged, profile view of the turn table and
peripheral lip illustrating a coin bouncing over the lip into the
"Lose" window;
[0013] FIG. 3C is an enlarged, profile view of the turn table and
peripheral lip illustrating a ball being kept on the turn table
surface by the lip;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the turn table illustrating the
scoring holes and ramps; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of the turn table along with the
helical ramp and ball entering the turn table.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an arcade game employing features of the
present invention. The game 10 generally includes a housing 13
including three distinct compartments, a playing area compartment
12 enclosed by panels such as transparent front pane 14, rear wall
16, a side wall 18, and a top cover 20. Below the playing area
compartment 12 is a storage compartment 22 housing a motor (not
shown) for driving a turn table 24 as well as serving as a utility
storage area. Access to the storage compartment 22 is available
through a door 26 with a lock 28 to secure the contents of the
storage compartment 22. The third compartment 30 houses the coin
activation mechanism 32 as is known in the art, and a redemption
ticket dispensing mechanism 34. The coin activation mechanism 32
includes two coin return buttons 36 and a coin return slot 38. The
redemption ticket dispensing mechanism 34 includes a slot 40
through which tickets are dispensed to a player and a lock 42 for
securing the contents of the ticket dispenser.
[0017] The game is played by placing a coin, token, or other
playing piece that either rolls or slides down an incline
(hereafter referred to as a token). A chute 44 extends from the
playing area compartment 12 through the front pane 14 to define an
outer portion 46 and an inner portion 48. A player can place a
token 50 in the outer portion 46 of the chute 44 which is sized to
receive the token with clearance to allow the token to freely roll
down the chute. The inclined orientation of the chute 44 causes the
token 50 to roll down the chute into the playing area compartment
12 via the inner portion 48. The chute 44 terminates at the
opposite end of a rotating playing field 52 on the turn table 24
having radially oriented ramps 54 disposed on the periphery of the
playing field 52 at regular angularly spaced intervals such as
every thirty (30) degrees. The playing field 52 constantly rotates
about the axis of rotation 56 during the playing of the game,
causing the ramps 54 to continuously circle past the chute's distal
end 55 and in front of two repositories described below.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates the cooperation of the chute 44, the
token 50, and the ramp 54. The chute 44 may be aligned
diametrically across the playing field 52 and secured at the
center, i.e., the axis of rotation 56, so that the chute 44 will be
stationary as the game is played. Alternatively, the chute 44 may
be secured to the playing field 52 at a location slightly off
center from the axis of rotation 56 causing the chute 44 (and
particularly the distal end 55) to oscillate back and forth as the
playing field 52 rotates. The chute 44 may also be flexible in
construction, permitting the player an opportunity to aim the chute
to the left or right by pressing against the outer portion 46 of
the chute against the point fixed on the playing field 52, which
tends to "bow" or flex the chute and alter the path of the token. A
combination of using a flexible chute along with an off-center
point of coupling to the playing field 52 adds considerable skill
and challenge to the game over the fixed chute. U.S. Pat. No.
6,095,519 by the present inventor is illustrative of the type of
chute herein described, and is fully incorporated herein by
reference.
[0019] As further shown in FIG. 2, a token 50 placed in the chute
44 will roll down the chute and contact the rotating playing field
52. The momentum of the token 50 will carry it to the edge 58 of
the playing field 52, where it may or may not encounter a deflector
such as a ramp 54 depending on the timing of the token's arrival in
conjunction with the rotation of the ramps along the periphery of
the playing field 52. The rotation of the ramps intermittently
position the ramps along the token's trajectory. For the condition
shown in FIG. 2, the token 50 arrives in a timely manner and
strikes a ramp 54 at the periphery of the playing field 52. The
ramp 54 redirects the token 50 from its original path upward (as
indicated by arrows 53) toward a fixed, elevated window or token
repository 60 having a sensor such as an optical sensor for example
(not shown) for sensing the acquisition of a token 50. The
successful timing of the token's arrival with the ramp's
intersection along the token's path, causing the token to be
deflected by the ramp 54 into the elevated repository 60, is deemed
a "Win" in terms of the object of the game. A "Win" can be achieved
by placing the token 50 into the slot 49 at the appropriate moment
(and/or altering the shape of the chute when a flexible chute is
employed) so that it will arrive at the periphery of the playing
field 52 coinciding with the appearance of a ramp to deflect the
coin upward--a skill that can be refined with practice.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the condition where an unsuccessful
attempt leads to the token 50 missing a ramp 54 and rolling into a
"Lose" repository 62. Simply, if the player's timing is off and the
ramp 54 is missed, the token 50 will roll directly across the
playing field 52 to a repository 62 that is not elevated
substantially from the level of the playing field 52 (see FIG. 3B).
In this case, the game ends and the player must try again with
another token.
[0021] If a player successfully achieves a "Win" and lands a token
in the repository 60, a second portion of the game is initiated
wherein a relay controlled by a processor operates a ball release
to send a ball 64 rolling down a helical track 66 encircling the
playing field 52 from above. A release mechanism 65 is coupled to
the sensor in the "Win" repository 60 such that a successful play
will automatically result in a ball 64 being released down the
helical track 66. The track 66 includes a start position 68 above
the outer edge 58 of the playing field 52 and winds inwardly and
downwardly in a spiral manner terminating just above the playing
field 52. A ball return mechanism (not shown) collects the balls
below the table and returns the ball(s) to the start position 68
after each successful play. A ball return assembly such as those
used to return a pinball to the plunger, for example, can be used
to return a ball below the table to the start position after each
game.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the playing field 52 includes a
plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 70 with stickers 72 or
other demarcations indicating varying point values for the
respective holes 70. When a ball 64 is released from the start
position 68 of the helical track 66, it will roll down the track 66
as indicated in FIG. 5 by the arrow 76, around the game until it
reaches the playing field 52. Once the ball reaches the playing
field 52, it will bounce, roll, and carom off elements of the game
until the ball eventually falls into one of the holes 70. A
circumferential lip 81 (see FIG. 3C) along the playing field's
periphery, or a rail placed around the periphery, retains the ball
on the surface of the playing field 52 until it falls within a hole
70. The playing field 52 can also be shaped or sloped toward the
center to ensure that the balls will eventually reach a hole and
not be driven to the outer edges of the playing field 52 due to
centripetal forces caused by the rotation of the table. The holes
70 are sized so that the ball 64 will fall through, thereby
energizing a sensor (not shown) that sends a signal to the
redemption ticket dispenser 34. Tickets 74 are then dispensed to
the player via the slot 40 based on the value assigned to the
specific hole 70 through which the ball 64 falls. That is, if the
ball falls through a hole designated as 200 points, then two
hundred tickets are a value equivalent thereof is distributed to
the player. Of course, the actual scoring and reward system can be
altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the
present invention. The just described portion of the game is
essentially a lottery in which random chance guides the selection
of which hole the ball falls into, and consequently the reward to
the player.
[0023] The game as described above can be played in various forms
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For
example, the roles of the token repositories 60 and 62 can be
switched, or the ball can be replaced with an object that slides
instead of rolls. The ramps around the periphery of the rotating
playing field can be replaced by another device for deflecting the
tokens, and the holes in the playing field could be replaced by
cups or other mechanisms for capturing the rolling ball(s). Thus,
it may be appreciated that there are many ways to practice the
present invention other than the exemplary mode described above,
which corresponds to the inventor's best known mode. The
description above should not be interpreted as limiting the scope
of the invention other than as expressly provided for, and the
invention's breadth should be governed solely by the words of the
appended claims below.
* * * * *