A self-contained game is provided wherein a player attempts to win one of a plurality of premiums displayed within the game. The game includes a premium-display space surrounded by a first plurality and second plurality of indicators. The indicators may be incandescent lamps. A controller is provided which is configured to sequentially distinguish and extinguish individual indicators comprising said first and second pluralities in a manner to give the appearance of a single indication traveling amongst said first and second plurality of indicators. A player may arrest the apparent motion of said traveling indication by actuating an interface device in an attempt to stop the indication at a selected position corresponding to one of the indicators comprising the second plurality of indicators. The controller is configured to determine which indicator was last distinguished at the time the interface was actuated, and whether the last distinguished indicator is a member of the second plurality. The controller is further configured to make a decision whether a premium is to be dispensed based on the determination that said last distinguished indicator is a member of the second plurality of indicators. A plurality of premium supports are positioned within the premium display space and are configured to releasably support premiums within the display space. Each of the supports is associated with a respective one of the second plurality of indicators so that upon the controller making a decision that a premium is to be dispensed, the controller acts to cause the premium support associated with the last distinguished indicator to release a premium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a premium-dispensing game wherein, for a 
fee or otherwise, a player may attempt to win a premium or prize. More 
particularly, the present invention relates to a self-contained 
premium-dispensing game which may be operated unattended, and which will 
assure the operator an approximated return based on the skill of those 
playing the game and various other parameters which may be adjusted by the 
operator of the game. 
Premium-dispensing games are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,529,206 to Kumagai discloses a game machine that automatically ejects 
gifts by means of a selection device comprising various cyclically 
lighting lamps located near each gift display. A particular gift is 
selected by pressing a selection button which first stops the cyclical 
lighting on a particular prize display tier, then stops the cyclical 
lighting at a particular prize position located along the selected prize 
display tier. The prize adjacent the position selected is then ejected by 
the game machine. In short, the game machine of Kumagai operates merely as 
a prize vending machine, and there is no level of skill or chance involved 
in winning a prize. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,440 to Williams discloses a self-contained 
prize-dispensing game machine that also dispenses a prize each time the 
machine is activated. However, due to the nature of the operation of the 
machine, it appears that a player is winning a prize by chance. Again, 
this game actually vends prizes with no skill or luck involved in the 
determination of whether a prize will be dispensed. 
Another game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,440 requires a player to 
actuate a mechanism which strikes or grabs at a prize as it falls through 
the machine. A toy which is successfully grabbed is dispensed by the 
machine. This game requires a level of skill to retrieve a prize; however, 
apart from the level of difficulty in grabbing a prize, it does not 
introduce an element of chance which will insure a certain financial 
return to the operator of the machine. 
Other game machines are known which will dispense tickets based on a 
player's performance. In such games, performance may be dictated by a 
player's skill, chance, or a combination thereof. Often such games are 
operated in arcade settings wherein a player may accumulate a number of 
tickets which may redeemed for prizes. Such games, require an attendant to 
redeem the tickets and dispense prizes, thereby increasing the cost of 
operating the games. 
What is desired is a self-contained premium-dispensing game which will 
provide a random financial return for the operator above an adjustably set 
minimum, wherein the level of skill of individual players determines the 
actual return. By including an element of skill to determine the actual 
premium pay-out rate, the game will entice more players to try their hand. 
It is further desired that such a game be operable without an attendant so 
that the game may continuously dispense premiums over an extended period 
without requiring servicing. Another desirable feature of such a 
self-contained, self-operating game is to allow a player to choose a 
particular premium which he will attempt to win from among a plurality of 
different premiums. It is further desirable to adjustably control the 
chances of winning the various premiums based on the value of premiums and 
the financial return desired from operating the game. A final desirable 
feature for such a self-contained premium-dispensing game is to include a 
mechanism for preventing vandals from shaking premiums loose from their 
displays and stealing the premiums without playing the game. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In light of the background given above, a primary object of the present 
invention is to provide a self-contained premium-dispensing game which may 
be operated unattended. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a self-contained 
premium-dispensing game which combines a player's skill with an element of 
chance to determine when a premium is to be dispensed. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a premium-dispensing game 
wherein the operator of the game may select a predefined desired minimal 
financial return from operating the game and wherein the actual financial 
return will exceed said desired minimum depending on the skill of those 
playing the game. Based on the value of the premiums and the price charged 
for playing the game, the game will determine the number of premiums to be 
dispensed in order to meet the desired minimum financial return. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a premium-dispensing 
game which provides a plurality of different premiums which may be of 
different values, and wherein a player may choose which premium he will 
attempt to win. 
An additional object of the invention is to provide a premium-dispensing 
game wherein the chances of winning higher-valued premiums are lower than 
the chances of winning a lower-valued premium. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a premium-dispensing game 
which includes provisions to prevent premiums from being inadvertently 
dispensed due to improper handling of the game mechanism. 
All of these objects, as well as others which will become apparent upon 
reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, are met by 
the Premium-Dispensing Game as herein disclosed. 
In the preferred embodiment, a self-contained premium-dispensing game is 
provided wherein a player attempts to win one of several different 
premiums visibly displayed within the game. Physically the game comprises 
a base with an upper casing thereon. An illuminated marquee may be 
included above the casing. The upper casing defines a premium-display 
space surrounded by a plurality of lamps including a number of noticeably 
distinct "win position" lamps. A plurality of premium display supports or 
carousels are mounted within the display space, and a plurality of 
different premiums are hung therefrom. The base includes slots for 
receiving coins or bills in order to initiate a play through which a 
player attempts to win one of the premiums displayed within the 
premium-display space. Further, a stop button is located on a small ledge 
on top of the base in front of the display space. 
A controller mounted within the game is configured to selectively 
illuminate and extinguish individual lamps surrounding the display space. 
In the preferred embodiment the lamps are illuminated and extinguished 
sequentially such that it appears that a single light is racing around the 
perimeter of the display space. A player attempts to win a premium by 
pressing the stop button while the traveling light is illuminating one of 
the lamps corresponding to one of the win positions. If successful, the 
player wins the premium suspended from the premium support adjacent the 
illuminated win position lamp, and the display carousel responds to 
commands from the controller to eject one of the premiums. Otherwise, the 
carousels include a spring-biased locking lever which acts to retain the 
premiums on the carousels in order to prevent inadvertently dispensing 
prizes. 
It should be further noted that the controller is configured so that a 
player may not win a premium every play in which the stop button is 
pressed at the proper instant Rather a win will be allowed in accordance 
with a predefined Win Expectation Value which is calculated to define a 
minimum financial return from operating the game, and wherein the actual 
return is determined by the skill level of those playing the game in 
combination with the calculated Win Expectation Value. Different Win 
Expectation Values may be provided for each display carousel, so that some 
premiums (those of higher value) will be harder to win than others.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1 a self-contained premium-dispensing game according to 
the present invention is shown at 100. The premium-dispensing game 100 
comprises, a base 102 and an upper casing 104. An illuminated marquee 105 
sits atop casing 104. Casing 104 encloses a premium-display space 106 
which includes a plurality of premium display carousels 108. The carousels 
108 support premiums, or prizes, 111 which are to be dispensed when a 
player wins the game. Carousels 108 not only support the premiums, but 
also act to dispense the appropriate premium 111 when a player wins. A 
transparent barrier 110 formed of polycarbonate or glass or some other 
clear material encloses the premium-display space 106. A locking hinged 
door (not shown) is provided so that the display carousels may be 
replenished through the front of the machine after a significant number of 
premiums have been dispensed. 
A plurality of lamps 112 frame the premium-display space 106. Included 
among lamps 112 are a plurality of "WIN" lamps 113. The number of win 
lamps corresponds to the number of display carousels 108. The "WIN" lamps 
113 may be a different color or shine brighter than the remainder of lamps 
112. 
A shallow ledge 114 is formed above base 102 and below and in front of 
casing 104. A depressable "STOP" button 116 is provided approximately in 
the center of ledge 114. Base 102 further includes a speaker aperture 122, 
a coin slot 118, and optionally a bill slot 119 and ticket dispenser 120. 
A premium-dispensing chute 124 extends through base 102 between 
premium-display space 106 and a dispensing aperture 126 formed in a front 
surface 103 of base 102. A prize guard (not shown) may be included to 
prevent vandals from reaching up into the machine and stealing premiums. 
A more detailed view of premium-display space 106 is shown in FIG. 2. The 
lamps 112 framing display space 106 are arranged in four individual 
brackets. The top bracket 238 includes lamps L1-L12; the right side 
bracket 240 comprises lamps L13-23; the bottom bracket 242 comprises lamps 
L33-L44; and the left side bracket 244 comprises lamps L45-L64. As shown 
lamps L15, L20, L25, L30, L47, L52, L57 and L62 are each located adjacent 
respective premium-display carousels 108 and are shown as having a 
different luminescence than the remaining lamps. Thus, lamps L15, L20, 
L25, L30, L47, L52, L57 and L62 represent the "win" lamps 113. 
Turning now to FIG. 3 a wiring diagram for the premium-dispensing game of 
the present invention is shown at 200. The major components comprising the 
control circuitry for the premium-dispensing game include a central 
processing board (CPU) 202; a lamp drive board 204; an LED board 206; a 
counter unit 208; a coin door unit 214; a switch bracket 220; a plurality 
of hanger units 258; a speaker 237; and several additional input switches 
and output lamps. 
Power is supplied to the game via a standard 120 VAC wall plug 256 which 
may be inserted into any conventional 120 VAC wall outlet (not shown). An 
On/Off switch 254 applies power to the game, and a 5 A fuse 252 is 
connected in series with On/Off switch 254 to provide short circuit 
protection. The 120 VAC input power is connected to a pair of fluorescent 
lamps 246 and 248 which illuminate the upper marquee and the 
premium-display space 106 respectively. The 120 VAC input power further 
drives a transformer 251 which transforms the 120 VAC input power to a 24 
VAC output for driving the remaining components of the game. 
Main CPU board 202 controls all operational aspects of the 
premium-dispensing game. The lamp drive board 204 is controlled directly 
by CPU 202 and drives the lamps 112 which frame the premium-display space 
106 (see FIG. 1). The individual lamps driven by lamp drive board 204 are 
divided into the four separate groups, or lamp brackets as described in 
relation to FIG. 2. LED board 206 is also driven by CPU 202 and, in 
conjunction with switch bracket 220, displays various adjustable operating 
parameters as they are entered into CPU 202: i.e., the value of the 
premiums being dispensed, the price charged to play the game, a Win 
Expectation Value, and others (all of which will be discussed in more 
detail below). Switch bracket 220 includes four switches 222. 224, 226, 
and 228 which are connected as inputs to CPU 202. The various switches may 
be manipulated so that the CPU enters various program modes in which the 
values of the operating parameters may be changed. When a particular 
programming mode is entered, the LED board 206 displays a code for the 
particular parameter being adjusted, as well as the current value for that 
parameter. Further manipulation of the switches allows the value of the 
parameter to be changed, or a different parameter to be displayed. 
Counter Unit 208 is also driven by outputs from CPU 202. The counter unit 
includes two digital display meters. The first meter 210 acts as a coin 
counter and displays the number of coins deposited through the coin slot 
located in the base. The second meter 212 counts premiums and displays a 
running total of the number of premiums which have been dispensed by the 
game. 
The coin door unit 214 is mounted on a hinged panel in the front of the 
base. The coin door includes an illuminated slot for receiving coins 
inserted to operate the game. A bill acceptor 216 may be included in lieu 
of a coin slot or as a complement thereto so that players may insert coins 
and/or bills in order to play the game. Door unit 208 includes lamp 215 
for illuminating the coin slot. A coin switch 218 is provided which 
provides an input to CPU 202 indicating that the proper amount of money 
has been deposited into either the coin slot or the bill acceptor so that 
the next play may begin. 
The remaining inputs to CPU 202 include the stop switch 232 which is 
actuated by the stop button 116 (FIG. 1); a door switch 234; and a tilt 
switch 236. Both the door switch 234 and the tilt switch 236 act to 
disable the game, door switch 234 when the door to the premium display 
area is opened, and tilt switch 234 when someone has excessively rocked 
the game back and forth indicating an attempt to shake the premiums loose 
from their respective display carousels. Additional outputs include 
speaker 237, a stop button lamp 230 for illuminating the stop button, and 
a plurality of carousel drive units 258. 
The preferred embodiment of the invention includes eight premium display 
carousels, and thus includes eight carousel drive units 258. Since the 
carousel drive units are identical for each carousel, only one is shown 
and described in detail. The carousel drive unit 258 includes a two-speed 
motor 260 and a premium-sensing limit switch 262. The mechanism by which 
display carousels 108 dispense premiums will be discussed in more detail 
below, but, at this point it should be noted that, when CPU 202 determines 
that a player has won a premium suspended from one of the display 
carousels, the CPU energizes the drive motor 260 of the designated 
carousel, causing that carousel to rotate at full speed. When limit switch 
262 senses that a premium is approaching the drop point, CPU 202 drives 
motor 260 at a slower speed, thus slowing the rotation of the carousel. 
Finally, when limit switch 262 senses that the premium has been dispensed, 
motor 260 is stopped. 
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a player initiates a play by inserting the 
proper value of coinage or bills into either the coin slot or bill 
acceptor, whereupon coin switch 218 closes, providing a signal to CPU 202 
that a new play has begun. Upon the initiation of a play, a first 
pre-recorded melody is played over speaker 237 and lamp drive board 204 
may cause lamps L1-L64 to blink in a conspicuous attention-drawing manner. 
For example, only the win position lamps may be rapidly illuminated and 
extinguished in a rapid repetitive manner. Upon the completion of the 
first melody, a second, more rhythmic melody is played, and lamp drive 
board 204 begins sequentially illuminating lamps L1-L64 so that it appears 
that a single illuminated lamp is racing around the perimeter of the 
premium-display space 106. While the game is in this mode, the player 
attempts to stop the traveling light by pressing the stop button when one 
of the eight win lambs (L15, L20, L25, L30, L47, L52, L57 or L62) is 
illuminated. If the player is successful, the game stops with one of the 
win lamps illuminated, and the player wins the premium suspended from the 
display carousel adjacent the illuminated win lamp. The carousel drive 
unit 258 controlling the carousel adjacent the illuminated win lamp drives 
the carousel until the premium drops into the chute formed in the base 102 
(see FIG. 1). As will be discussed in more detail below, the carousels 
include a switch for determining that a premium has in fact been 
dispensed. Thus, if a hook is empty, the carousel drive unit 258 will 
continue driving the carousel until a premium is actually dropped. If the 
carousel makes a full revolution and no premium is dispensed, the player 
will receive a free play. 
If the player fails to stop the traveling light in one of the win 
positions, the player wins nothing and the play is over. A player must 
then re-enter the correct amount of money to initiate another play. 
When a player approaches the game, it is apparent that a level of skill is 
required to win a premium. However, an element of chance is combined with 
the player's skill to determine when a prize is actually dispensed. Thus, 
a skillful player who properly times the pressing of the stop button 116 
with the position of the travelling light will not necessarily win a prize 
every time, but a player must be skillful enough to properly time the 
pressing of the stop button to have any opportunity to win whatsoever. The 
element of chance which is combined with the player's skill, is adjustably 
weighted to the operator's advantage. When a player skillfully hits the 
stop button while one of the win position lamps is illuminated, a random 
number generator implemented in CPU 204 makes the determination of whether 
the player is a "winner" or not. The random number generator may be 
weighted so that over an extended number of plays, the game will pay out 
approximately a pre-determined number of times. For example the random 
number generator may be so weighted that a win is allowed 800 times per 
10,000 plays on which a player properly times the stop button. 
In the premium-dispensing game of the present invention, the number of 
pay-outs per 10,000 plays defines a Win Expectation Value. It is the Win 
Expectation Value which controls the weighting of the random number 
generator. A proper Win Expectation Value can be selected, such that the 
random number generator is weighted to assure an approximate minimum rate 
of return from the operation of the game. Furthermore, the game itself 
will calculate a proper Win Expectation Value based on parameters entered 
into CPU 202 by the operator. The CPU calculates the Win Expectation Value 
based on the value of the premiums being dispensed, the price being 
charged for each play, and the desired pay-out level. For example, suppose 
that a game operator is charging $2.00 per play, and dispensing premiums 
valued at $5.00 each. Suppose further that the operator wants to establish 
a 20% pay-out rate. In order to reach the 20% pay-out threshold, the game 
must take in a total of $25.00 for each premium awarded. At $2.00 per 
play, this corresponds to 1 win for every 12.5 plays. Averaged over 10,000 
plays, this equates to a Win Expectation Value of 800. A different Win 
Expectation Value can be calculated by changing the price of the premium, 
altering the desired pay-out, or changing the price per play. 
An important feature of the premium-dispensing game of the present 
invention is that the Win Expectation Value can be set differently for 
each premium-dispensing carousel 108. Thus, premiums of different value 
may be placed on different display carousels, or the pay-out percentage 
for some premiums may be set higher or lower than for others. In general, 
the higher-valued premiums will be placed on carousels having a lower Win 
Expectation Value so that the higher-valued premiums are harder to win. In 
any case, by setting the input parameters differently for each carousel, 
the resulting Win Expectation Value for each carousel will assure a 
certain fixed, though possibly different, rate of return for each 
carousel. 
The parameters for establishing the Win Expectation Value are entered using 
switch bracket 220 and LED board 204. The value of the premiums 111 
suspended from each carousel 108 may be entered into CPU 204 and displayed 
on LED board 206 by manipulating in various combinations the input 
switches 222, 224 226 and 228. The values of the premiums are entered via 
coded numbers 0-15. In the preferred embodiment the coded numbers 
represent prices according to the following table: 
______________________________________ 
Coded Entry Value of Premium 
______________________________________ 
0 $0.25 
1 $0.50 
2 $0.75 
3 $1.00 
4 $1.50 
5 $1.75 
6 $2.00 
7 $2.50 
8 $3.50 
9 $5.00 
10 $7.50 
11 $10.00 
12 $12.50 
13 $15.00 
14 $17.50 
15 $20.00 
______________________________________ 
Similarly, the desired pay-out percentage for each carousel may also be 
entered and displayed by manipulating the input switches 222, 224, 226 and 
228. Again the values are entered via coded numbers 0-15 which, in the 
preferred embodiment, represent pay out percentages according to the table 
below. However, it should be noted that the pay-out percentages listed 
below are representative values only, and may be altered as necessary. 
______________________________________ 
Coded Entry 
Pay-Out Percentage 
Coded Entry 
Layout Percentage 
______________________________________ 
0 5% 8 30% 
1 32.5% 
2 35% 
3 37.5% 
4 40% 
5 45% 
6 50% 
7 100% 
______________________________________ 
Finally, the price per play may also be entered into CPU 202 and displayed 
on LED board 206 by manipulating input switches 222, 224, 226 and 228. The 
price per play is entered via a coded number 0-19 each of which represents 
a price-per-play according to the following table: 
______________________________________ 
Coded Entry Price Per Play 
______________________________________ 
0 $0.25 
1 $0.50 
2 $0.75 
3 $1.00 
4 $1.25 
5 $1.50 
6 $1.75 
7 $2.00 
8 $2.25 
9 $2.50 
10 $2.75 
11 $3.00 
12 $3.25 
13 $3.50 
14 $3.75 
15 $4.00 
16 $4.25 
17 $4.50 
18 $4.75 
19 $5.00 
______________________________________ 
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the element of chance is combined with the 
player's skill follows. The CPU controls the game according to the flow 
chart shown in FIG. 4. The game begins at block 300. At the first step, 
the CPU examines the programmed pay-out percentage in decision block 302. 
If the pay-out percentage is set at 100% the CPU control moves to action 
block 306 where it waits for an input indicating that the stop button has 
been hit and a lamp position is determined. Next, at decision block 308 
the CPU determines whether the lamp position corresponds to any of the win 
positions. If yes, then the premium displayed from the carousel adjacent 
the illuminated win position is dispensed. If the lamp position does not 
correspond to one of the win positions, control moves to block 326 where 
the CPU, acting through the lamp control board, advances the traveling 
light to the next adjacent win lamp. At that time the motion of the 
traveling light is arrested, and the premium displayed on the display 
carousel adjacent the now-illuminated win lamp is dispensed at block 324. 
In either of the above cases, regardless of whether the player properly 
times the stop button, a prize is dispensed with each play. The game ends 
at 328 after the premium has been dispensed. In this mode the game 100 
performs as purely as a vending machine, dispensing a premium for money 
received. 
If, however, at decision block 302 the CPU control determines that the 
pay-out percentage is set at less than 100%, the control moves to action 
block 304 where it waits for an input indicating that the stop button has 
been hit and a lamp position is determined. Next, at decision block 310 
the CPU determines whether the lamp position corresponds to any of the win 
positions. If yes, at action block 312 the random number generator makes a 
decision whether or not the player wins. Recall that the decision returned 
by the random number will be weighted according to the Win Expectation 
Value set for the particular display carousel adjacent the win light that 
is illuminated. Thus, the decision of the random number generator will be 
a function of the number of plays which have already occurred, and the 
number of prizes which have already been dispensed from the carousel 
adjacent the illuminated win lamp. 
The decision of the random number generator is examined at decision block 
316. If the random number generator determines that the player wins, the 
premium displayed on the carousel adjacent the illuminated win lamp is 
dispensed at block 318 and the game ends at 328. If the decision of the 
random number generator determines that the player does not win, at block 
320 the traveling light is immediately advanced to a non-win lamp position 
so that it appears that the player mistimed hitting the stop button and no 
premium is dispensed from the nearly adjacent carousel. However, the play 
is counted against the Win Expectation Value as shown in block 322. Since 
the play is counted, the next time a player properly hits the stop button 
with the traveling light at a win position, the random number generator 
will be slightly more likely to return a win decision. 
Returning to decision block 310, if the lamp position does not correspond 
to one of the win position lamps, control moves to decision block 314. 
Here the control determines whether the lamp position corresponds to a 
"window of opportunity" 128 (FIG. 2). A window of opportunity 128 is 
defined by the two lamp positions immediately preceding each win lamp 
position as illustrated in FIG. 2. (The direction of travel imparted to 
the traveling light may be either clockwise or counter-clockwise. In FIG. 
2 the direction of travel is shown clockwise, and thus the windows of 
opportunity include the two lamps below the win position lamps in the left 
side lamp bracket and the two lamp positions above the win position lamps 
in the right side lamp bracket. If the direction of the traveling light is 
reversed, the windows of opportunity will shift so that the windows of 
opportunity will include the two lamp positions above the win position 
lamps in the left side lamp bracket, and the two lamp positions below the 
win position lamps in the right side lamp bracket.) If at block 314 the 
control determines that the lamp position is not within a window of 
opportunity, the game ends at 328. If, however, the illuminated lamp 
position does fall within a window of opportunity, the play is counted 
against the Win Expectation Value at block 322, increasing the chances 
that the random number generator will return a win decision on subsequent 
plays. After counting the play against the Win Expectation Value, the play 
ends at 328. 
Turning now to FIGS. 1, and 5-10 the operation of the display carousels 
will now be described. Each premium support carousel comprises a support 
arm 150 which is mounted to the back panel of the upper casing 104 in such 
a way that the premium-dispensing carousel extends forward into 
premium-display space 106. A vertical shaft 153 is mounted near the distal 
end 157 of support arm 150 and held in place by mounting screw 155. A 
rotating member 152 in the form of a circular disc engages shaft 153 and 
is free to rotate thereabout. Shaft 153 includes a relatively larger 
diameter portion 159 below rotating member 152 so that when shaft 153 is 
mounted to support arm 150, rotating member 152 is supported by the larger 
diameter portion 159 of shaft 153, and is free to rotate about the axis of 
the shaft. 
Also supported by shaft 153 are stationary resistance bar 156 and a 
premium-sensing microswitch 172. Resistance bar 156 extends parallel to 
support arm 156, and microswitch 172 may be mounted directly thereto. The 
actuator 174 of switch 172 comprises a long slender metal shaft which 
extends at the forward angle of approximately 20.degree. relative to 
resistance bar 156. 
A two-speed electric motor 260 (corresponding to the carousel drive motor 
described with reference to FIG. 3) is provided near the mounting end 151 
of support member 150 for controlling the rotation of rotating member 152. 
Motor 260 includes an output shaft 160 and output pulley 161. Output shaft 
160 turns output pulley 161 which then turns an output drive belt 162. 
Rotating member 152 further includes a raised spacer portion 169. A narrow 
section of raised portion 169 defines a large pulley 170 integrally formed 
with rotating member 152 and adapted to receive drive belt 162. Thus, the 
rotational output of electric motor 260 is transferred to rotating member 
152. 
The outer perimeter of rotating member 152 is formed with a plurality of 
depending premium support hooks 154. A premium support ring 184, or other 
support member attached to a premium, may be placed over the lower portion 
of a hook and a premium suspended therefrom. Thus, when all of the hooks 
154 are loaded with premiums suspended in this manner, a full complement 
of attractive eye-catching prizes will be visible within premium-display 
space 106. In some cases the premiums may be too large to suspend from 
each hook. In such cases, the premiums may be suspended from every other 
hook, or every second hook as necessary. When a premium is to be 
dispensed, the carousel will continue rotating until the next loaded hook 
dispenses a premium. 
In order to prevent premiums from inadvertently falling from hooks 154, a 
pivotal hook locking lever 178 is provided for each hook 154. Locking 
lever 178 includes a lower downwardly extending locking arm 179 and an 
upwardly extending actuator arm 181. A pair of laterally extending 
shoulders 183 engage corresponding lever supports 187 formed in rotating 
member 152, to form the pivotal axis of locking lever 178. With shoulders 
183 seated within lever supports 187, locking lever 178 is rotatable 
between a first locked position (FIG. 7) and a second open position (FIG. 
8). In the locked position, lower locking arm 179 engages the end of hook 
154 preventing support ring 184 from falling from the hook. In this 
position the actuating arm 181 extends generally vertically. A retention 
spring 188 shown separately in FIG. 10 is provided to bias locking lever 
178 in the locked position. Retention spring 188 includes a coiled 
circular portion 190 configured to receive actuating arm 181 and a first 
end 192 engaging one of the mounting shoulders 183. Biasing force is 
created when the second end 194 is brought under tension into fixed 
engagement with a radial support 196. 
When a player wins game 100, electric motor 280 causes rotating member 152 
to rotate in the clockwise direction as indicated by arrow A in FIGS. 5 6, 
7 and 8. Premiums are dispensed as they are rotated past resistance bar 
156. Thus, when a player wins, rotating member 152 begins to rotate, and 
hooks 154 pass resistance bar 156. The next premium to be dispensed will 
be that premium suspended from the hook 154 immediately to the right of 
resistance bar 156 as viewed in FIG. 7. 
As hook 154 approaches resistance bar 156 premium support ring 184 first 
contacts microswitch actuator 174, tripping microswitch 172. Thus, 
microswitch 172 provides a signal indicating that a premium is approaching 
resistance bar 156. In response, motor 260 slows from a first relatively 
fast speed to a second slower speed. As rotating member 152 continues 
rotating at this slower speed, the actuating arm 181 of locking lever 178 
engages unlocking member 186. As hook 154 moves toward resistance bar 156, 
unlocking member 186 forces the entire locking lever 178 to rotate 
clockwise, thereby moving the lower locking arm 179 away from the end of 
hook 154, and opening the hook as shown in FIG. 8. Rotating member 152 
continues rotating hook 154 past resistance bar 156, however resistance 
bar 156 engages premium support ring 184, preventing the premium from 
moving past the resistance bar. The resistance bar 156 pulls the support 
ring off the open hook 154 as the hook rotates past so that the premium 
falls to the bottom of the display space 106. Once hook 154 passes the 
drop position, the actuating arm of locking lever 178 clears unlocking 
member 186 and spring 188 pulls locking lever 178 backward in the 
counter-clockwise direction, again closing hook 154. 
Once the premium drops from hook 154, microswitch actuator 174 springs back 
to its normal position, opening the switch contacts. The combination of 
closing, then opening the switch contacts provides positive indication 
that a premium has been successfully dispensed. Absent such indication, 
the rotating member 152 continues to rotate until a hook bearing a premium 
is rotated past the drop position. 
Further, the action of microswitch 172 may be used to count how many 
premiums have been dispensed. The total derived from the switch count may 
be displayed on the second display meter 212 described in reference to 
FIG. 3. 
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the present 
invention may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which is set 
out in more particular detail in the appended claims. Furthermore, those 
of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing 
description is by way of example only, and is not intended to be limiting 
of the invention as described in such appended claims.