Bingo type chip dispenser

Abstract

An open based plastic tube carries the disc-like chips stacked therein and these are prevented from discharge through the base by a pair of small projections on the inner wall near the base. Manipulative pincer-type means engage through the side walls of the tube just above the base and when these are actuated, the prongs engage between the lowermost chip and the one next above thereby forcing the lowermost chip past the projections so that it discharges through the base. When the manipulative means is released, gravity moves the stack of chips down the tube so that the next chip is ready for dispensing. An alternative embodiment has a pair of pivotal jaws in the base thereof with legs extending downwardly below the base so that the tube can be pressed upon a supporting surface thereby discharging one chip at a time each time the tube is depressed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means to facilitate the placing of chips upon a game card such as a bingo card. Normally various forms of markers are used by people playing bingo and many of these take the form of small disc-like plastic chips.

These are often carried in a box or bag and have to be handled individually and placed upon the correct square. When a person is playing a plurality of bingo cards, this procedure is extremely awkward and there is always the possibility of the balance of the chips being spilled inadvertently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes disadvantages normally inherent with the use of conventional plastic chips in the playing of games like bingo by providing a tube or cylinder within which the chips may be stacked and means on said cylinder to dispense said chips one by one as and when required.

The principal object and essence of the invention is therefore to provide a device of the character herewithin described which enables a player to dispense one chip at a time and upon the requisite square on a playing card such as a bingo card.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the tube can be grasped with one hand and the thumb and forefinger used to dispense the chip through the open base of the cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which includes an embodiment whereby downward pressure of the tube upon the playing card automatically dispenses a chip upon the card.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is preferably made of transparent plastic to that the contents of the tube can be viewed at all times.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which prevents the chips from being spilled inadvertently.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the foregoing object in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, or included in the means, method, process, product, construction, composition, arrangement of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment sectioned in part to show the interior thereof.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary partially sectioned view of the lower end of a further embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned fragmentary view of a still further embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the lower end of a still further embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a section through the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of a conventional plastic chip often used for playing bingo.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

Proceeding therefore to describe the invention in detail, reference character 10 illustrates a cylindrical tube or casing preferably made of transparent plastic and having a friction type cap 11 on the upper end thereof.

The lower end 12 is open and the tube is designed to receive a stack of disc-like chips 13 one upon the other as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1.

A plurality of small projections 14 extend inwardly from the wall of the tube or casing 10 adjacent the lower end 12 thereof and the lowermost chips specifically designated 13A rests upon these projections thus preventing the chips from discharging inadvertently through the base 12.

Means are provided to discharge chips one at a time through the base when desired and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this means takes the form of a pair of resilient plastic fingers 15 one upon each side of the casing thereof and being secured by the upper ends 16 thereof to the outer wall of the casing 10. Wedge shaped portions 17 are formed on the lower ends of these fingers 15 and are inturned substantially at right angles to the main portion of the fingers, these wedge shaped lower ends 17 engaging through apertures 18 formed within the wall of the casing just above the projections 14.

When it is desired to dispense a chip through the base 12, these fingers are pressed inwardly in the direction of arrows 19 so that the wedge shaped lower ends 17 engage between the lowermost chip 13A and the one next above specifically designated 13B.

The wedging action of the lower ends 17 forces this lowermost chip 13A past the projections 14 thus enabling the lowermost chip to be deposited upon the game card or the like (not illustrated).

When the resilient fingers 15 are released, they return to the outermost position so that the entire stack of chips 13 moves downwardly whereupon the next succeeding chip 13B becomes the lowermost chip 13A and is ready for dispensing when required.

Reference should be made to FIG. 6 in which a conventional chip is shown in side elevation. The perametrical edge 20 of these chips is beveled as clearly shown thus facilitating the engagement of the wedge shaped lower ends 17 when moved inwardly. Alternatively the edges may be rounded as in FIG. 6 but the action is similar.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which the fingers 16A are provided with wedge shaped lower ends 17A and downwardly extending projections 21.

Situated in the wall of the tube or cylinder casing 10 is a pair of pivotal portions 22 pivoting upon a pin 23 and having beveled upper faces 24 together with inwardly extending chip restraining portions 14A.

In operation this embodiment, movement of the fingers 16A in the direction of arrows 19A separates the lowermost chip 13A from the chip immediately thereabove 13B and the projecting portions 21 strike the upper ends of the pivoting portions 22 thus rocking them and moving the restraining portions 14A out of the way so that the chip can be dispensed through the open base. The sloping upper sides 24 engage the upper portions 20A of the beveled perimeter of the chip 13A. These pivotal portions are preferably spring biassed (not illustrated) so that they normally return to the position shown in FIG. 2, when the fingers 16A are released.

FIG. 3 shows a still further embodiment which includes combination dispensing end restraining portions 25 pivoted upon pins 26, to the enlarged base 27 of the cylindrical casing 10 adjacent the lower open end 12 thereof.

These portions include chip engaging jaws 28 on the inner sides thereof and downwardly and outwardly curving legs 29 which extend below the base 12 of the tube. The portions 25 are normally biassed to the position shown in FIG. 3 by means of small leaf springs 30.

In operation of this embodiment, downward pressure of the tube or casing upon a supporting surface 31 causes the portions 25 to pivot in the direction of arrows 32 thus causing the jaws 28 to move the lowermost chip 13A through the open base 12 yet restraining the remainder of the chips from discharging. Upon release of the downward pressure upon the cylindrical casing 10, the portions 25 return to the original position and are then embracing the next suceeding chip 13B.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the preferred embodiment of the invention which includes an oval shaped resilient band 33 engaged around the cylindrical casing 10 adjacent the lower end 12 thereof. A pair of wedge shaped portions 34 are formed on the inner wall of the band 33 and these normally engage just within apertures 18 adjacent the base 12. Pressure upon the widest portion of the band, at which points are located the wedge shaped portions 34, forces these wedge shaped portions through these apertures and separates the lowermost chip 13A, forcing it past the projections 14 in a manner similar to that described for the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

Release of the pressure of course permits the oval band 33 to return to the position shown in FIG. 5. The direction of the inward pressure is shown by reference character 35 in FIG. 5.

Various modifications may be constructed or performed within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Therefore what has been set forth is intended to illustrate such concept and is not for the purpose of limiting protection to any herein particularly described embodiment thereof.

Claims

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A storage container and dispenser for disc-like chips used for bingo and the like, comprising a cylindrical casing having an open base, and adapted to hold a plurality of said chips in stacked relationship therein, means adjacent the open base restraining the chips from discharge through said base and manipulative means exteriorly of said cylindrical casing engageable through apertures in the wall of said case, to urge the lowermost chip past the means for restraining the chips from discharge, said means exteriorly of said cylindrical casing comprising a flexible, substantially oval band freely surrounding said casing, and a plurality of inturned wedge shaped inwardly facing portions on the inner surface of said band engageable within said apertures and adapted to separate the lowermost chip from the chips superadjacent thereto within said casing, and to discharge said lowermost chip past said means for restraining said chips from discharge.