Abstract:
A Gaming Device for Pellet Guns is a portable, all mechanical, target apparatus used by one or more players. The device subassemblies may include a multiple silhouette targets housed in a pellet trap, a dispenser, and a score counter. The silhouette targets are mounted on pivoting posts. Its surface areas and shapes are consequential to the targeting challenge. The dispenser is designed to eject a ball from the magazine stack every time the target is hit. The ball color or its markings reflect the number of points scored. The score counter subassembly keeps a tally by stacking ejected balls into the score bar. The gaming device can take on various aesthetic themes that include a safari adventure, commando, space wars, the old west, and monsters. The unit can be built using variety of material including plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The construction methods may vary upon manufacturing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefits of PPA Ser. No. 61/315,112 filed 2010 Mar. 18 by present inventor. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND-PRIOR ART 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 US Patents Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 5,342,062 
                 B1 
                 1994 Aug. 30 
                 Lance 
               
               
                 5,280,919 
                 B1 
                 1994 Jan. 25 
                 Graham 
               
               
                 2,182,517 
                 B1 
                 1939 Feb. 20 
                 Compton/Silbereis 
               
               
                 2,406,731 
                 B1 
                 1946 Aug. 27 
                 Amdur 
               
               
                 5,597,164 
                 B1 
                 1997 Jan. 28 
                 Dodds 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     A complete targeting system should offer a range of targeting challenges, show the target hits, auto reset the target after the strike, keep the score, maintain a history of successful hits, and facilitate the simplicity of operation. While many target systems have been designed in the past, the prior art arrangements have delivered desirable features only in part. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,280,919 (1994) and 5,342,062 (1994) do not have capability to keep the score. Another example, the U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,731 (1945) does not maintain the target strike history which is important in determining the make-up of the total score. The present invention incorporates all desirable features that are essential to an all-inclusive gaming device, and its advantages over the prior art will be rendered evident. 
     SUMMARY 
     A Gaming Device for Pellet Guns is a mechanical target that offers real life entertainment as opposed to virtual games. Pellet gun owners can aim at silhouette targets and engage in various fun games that can be played solo or with multiple players. This unique device provides instant gratification for good shooting by dispensing balls worth a designated amount of points for each successful hit. There is also the option of attaching a conventional paper target to the device for gun site alignment, target practice or competitive shooting. This device also promotes environmental responsibility by containing the lead pellet dispersion and reducing shooter&#39;s temptation to aim at wildlife. Air gun owners of any age could benefit from this novel gaming device. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of preferred embodiment of my invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section lines  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pellet trap subassembly. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a plan view of a pellet trap bottom showing the cutouts for silhouette target insertion. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a dispenser subassembly 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view detailing the silhouette target engaged with ejector subassembly. 
         FIG. 4   b  is an elevation of ejector subassembly. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of scoreboard subassembly 
         FIG. 6  details the silhouette target subassembly. 
         FIG. 6   a  shows the silhouettes having various shapes and sizes 
         FIG. 7  shows how gaming device is used with paper target 
     
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 Pellet trap subassembly 
               
               
                   
                 11 Back segment 
               
               
                   
                 12,13 Sides 
               
               
                   
                 15 Bottom segment 
               
               
                   
                 15a Cutout 
               
               
                   
                 16 Carrying handle 
               
               
                   
                 20 Dispenser subassembly 
               
               
                   
                 21 Base 
               
               
                   
                 21a Opening 
               
               
                   
                 22 Repository board 
               
               
                   
                 22a Magazine slot 
               
               
                   
                 23 Cover plate 
               
               
                   
                 23a Opening 
               
               
                   
                 24 Ejector 
               
               
                   
                 24a Ejector block 
               
               
                   
                 24b Pushrod 
               
               
                   
                 24c Locknut 
               
               
                   
                 24d Spring 
               
               
                   
                 24e Slot 
               
               
                   
                 24f Pivot groove 
               
               
                   
                 24g Guide hole 
               
               
                   
                 25 Marble, ball 
               
               
                   
                 30 Score counter subassembly 
               
               
                   
                 31 Base 
               
               
                   
                 32 Scoreboard 
               
               
                   
                 32a Raceway 
               
               
                   
                 32b Score bar 
               
               
                   
                 32c Knob 
               
               
                   
                 33 Cover plate 
               
               
                   
                 33a Opening 
               
               
                   
                 33b Opening 
               
               
                   
                 34 Gate 
               
               
                   
                 40 Target subassembly 
               
               
                   
                 41 Silhouette 
               
               
                   
                 42 Post 
               
               
                   
                 43 Pivot bud 
               
               
                   
                 44 Skirt 
               
               
                   
                 44a Cutout 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1  to  6 —Preferred Embodiment 
     Preferred embodiment of the gaming device is illustrated in  FIG. 1  (perspective view) showing closely related subassemblies: a pellet trap  10 , a dispenser  20 , a score counter  30  and one or more targets  40 . The subassemblies are integrated into an apparatus that can measure approximately 14″H×18″L×12″W for the unit comprising five targets. 
     The target subassembly  40  is detailed in  FIG. 6 . It comprises a silhouette  41 , a post  42 , pivot buds  43 , and a skirt  44 . 
     The silhouette  41  can be made from 14 gauge sheet metal and is attached to the post  42 . When gaming device comprises more than one target, the face areas of silhouettes  41  can be graduated as shown in  FIG. 6   a . This facilitates different targeting challenge levels. Also, the silhouettes  41  can be contoured to reflect variety of gaming themes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the length of the post  42  should be somewhat larger than the vertical distance between the axial centerline of the pushrod  24   b  and the mid height of the pellet trap subassembly  10 . It can be made from 12 gauge thick, ½″ wide strip of sheet metal and slightly tapered at the bottom to ease the engagement with pushrod  24   b.    
     The pivot buds  43  are cylinders made from either plastic or metal and can be attached to the post  42  with rivets or any other suitable method. They are positioned approximately ¼ length of the post  42  measured from the bottom. This ratio allows adequate outward movement of the pushrod  24   b  when the target subassembly  40  swings inward 10° or more. 
     The skirt  44 ,  FIG. 6 , is used to prevent jamming the target assembly  40  by rebound lead pellets. It can be made from the sheet metal and is sized to cover the gaps around the target post at insertion point. The cutout  44   a  is sized for loose fit of the skirt  44  over the post  42 . 
     The target subassembly should be coated in an impact resistant and durable paint. 
     The pellet trap subassembly,  FIG. 3 , can be made of diverse materials like high impact plastic or adequately gauged sheet metal suitable for containing the kinetic energy of lead pellet. Different techniques can be employed in a pellet trap construction. The back  11  of the trap should be slopped, preferably 45°. The target insertion cutouts  15   a  are made at the bottom segment  15  of the trap,  FIG. 3   a , one for each target silhouette used in the device. The cutout  15   a  is contoured to clear the cross-section of the target post  42  and the pivot bud  43 . It also extends beyond the target post  42  to allow 12-15° pivot of the target. The position of the cutouts  15   a  is predetermined by design and placement of ejector subassemblies  24  discussed later in the specification. The sides  12  and  13 ,  FIG. 3 , are shaped so to snugly fit the contour line formed by the bottom  15  and the back  11 . Many methods can be used to fasten the sides  12  and  13  to the rest of subassembly. The carrying handle  16  can be made from the same material and attached to the top of the pellet trap. The pellet trap can be coated in an impact resistant and durable paint when required. 
     A dispenser,  FIG. 4 , comprises a base  21 , a repository board  22 , a cover plate  23 , one or more ejector sub subassembly  24  and a plurality of balls  25  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A ball  25 ,  FIG. 1 , can be made of glass, plastic, or metal. There should be a number of balls  25  associated either by color or markings to each target subassembly  40 . 
     A base  21 ,  FIG. 4 , is a frame like structure and can be made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The height of the base  21  should be sufficient to accommodate the magazine slots  22   a  having preferred holding capacity of 10 balls. The length and width of the base  21  are the same as the perimeters of the footprint of pellet trap subassembly shown in  FIG. 3 . The holes  21   a ,  FIG. 4 , are made on the face side of the base  21 , one for each ejector  24 . It is sized and positioned so to allow unobstructed movement of ejector pushrod  24   b  and locknut  24   c ,  FIG. 4   b.    
     A repository board  22 ,  FIG. 4 , can be made of similar material as the base  21 . Its height and length is the same as the height and length of the base  21  and the thickness should be slightly greater than diameter of the ball  25 ,  FIG. 4   b . The repository board  22 ,  FIG. 4 , houses a magazine slot  22   a , one for each ejector  24 . The slot  22   a  should be slightly wider than the diameter of the ball; it is open on the top and can be straight, curved, or S-shaped to maximize the holding capacity of the balls. The bottom end of the magazine slots  22   a  should overlap with the holes  21   a ,  FIG. 4   b , and the lower edge should be slopped 5° to 8° toward back to prevent unintended rollout of the ball  25 . Each magazine slot  22   a  should have holding capacity of 10 balls. 
     The cover plate  23 ,  FIG. 4 , can be made from transparent high impact plastic. Its height can exceed somewhat the height of repository board  22 ; however the length should be the same. The holes  23   a  are positioned at the bottom of each magazine slot  22   a  in a way not to obstruct the ball ejection. 
     An ejector  24  sub subassembly,  FIG. 4   a , is a receptacle for retractable target subassembly  40  allowing its post  42  to engage the pushrod  24   b . The ejector  24  comprises of a block  24   a , a pushrod  24   b , a locknut  24   c , and a spring  24   d . The body  24   a  can be made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The pushrod  24   b  can be a hex bolt having ¼″ shank with ¾″ long threaded end. Referring to the  FIG. 2 , the overall length of the pushrod is equal to a horizontal distance between the face side of the dispenser base  21  and the front edge of the post  42  in vertical position. The compression spring  24   d  is positioned over the pushrod  24   b  which is then inserted in the guide hole  24   g . The locknut  24   c  is tightened until the threaded tip of the pushrod  24   b  protrudes somewhat less than the thickness of the face side of the base  21 . The spring  24   d  should be slightly compressed. The width of the pivot groove  24   f  is somewhat larger than the diameter of the pivot bud  43 . The grove  24   f  is positioned to keep the silhouette  41  on horizontal centerline of the pellet trap  10  while maintaining the bottom of the post  42  engaged with the pushrod  24   b . The slot  24   e ,  FIG. 4   a , is slightly wider than the thickness of the post  42 . It projects across the full height of ejector block  24   a  starting at the back and continues until it passes the pivot groove  24   f  enough to allow 12-15° pivot of the target subassembly  40 . 
     A score counter subassembly,  FIG. 5 , comprises a base  31 , a scoreboard  32 , and a cover plate  33 . 
     The base  31  is a frame like structure and can be made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The length and width are the same as a footprint of dispenser subassembly  20 ,  FIG. 1 . The height of the base  31  should the same as the height of the scoreboard  32 ,  FIG. 5 . 
     The scoreboard  32  can be made of similar material and the same length as the base  31 . The height of the scoreboard  32  is affected by design choices of raceway  32   a  and score bars  32   b  in terms of angle, shape, or number. The thickness of the scoreboard  32  is slightly greater than the diameter of the balls. The raceway  32   a  is tilted from outer edges toward the midpoint of the scoreboard  32 . There is at least one sloped score bar slot  32   b  with preferred holding capacity of 10 or more balls. The lower edge at the bottom of the score bar  32   b  is sloped outward to ease the ball rollout. Should design incorporate more than one score bar  32   b , the selector knob  32   c  can be used to select the score bar for subsequent players. 
     The cover plate  33  can be made from transparent, high impact plastic. Its length is the same as the length of the score board  32 ; however the height is extended as shown in  FIG. 2  to keep the ejected balls on the raceway  32   a . The openings  33   a  in  FIG. 5  are positioned so to ensure that the bottom ends of the score bars  32   b  are unobstructed. The opening  33   b  is positioned over the selector knob  32   c . The marble release gate  34  can be made of the same material as the cover plate  33 . Turning the gate  34  around its fastener, it can be positioned to either expose or cover the opening  33   a.    
     Operation—FIGS.  1 ,  2  and  7   
     The first step is preparation of the gaming device for use. Referring to  FIG. 2 , each target subassembly  40  is inserted in corresponding cutout  15   a  so that the pivot bud  43  slides all the way into pivot groove  24   f  causing the target post  42  to engage the pushrod  24   b . The slightly compressed spring  24   d  keeps the target subassembly  40  in upright position against the front edge of cutout  15   a . Being loose, the skirt  44  slides down along the post  42  and covers cutout  15   a . This prevents jamming of target subassembly  40  by ricochet lead pellets. Next, any balls retained in the score bar  32   b ,  FIG. 1 , are released by turning the gate  34  so to uncover the opening  33   a . After emptying the score bars  32   b , the gate  34  is turned back to cover the opening  33   a . Then the balls  25  are loaded from the top into magazine slots  22   a  taking care that its colors or markings correspond to target subassembly  40 . The knob  32   c  is positioned to select the score bar  32   b  for the first player. 
     When a lead pellet hits silhouette  41 ,  FIG. 2 , the upper arm of the post  42  swings inward around the pivot bud  43 . The lower arm moves in opposite direction driving the pushrod  24   b  outward while compressing the spring  24   d . Consequently, the ball  25  at the bottom of the magazine slot  22   a  is pushed out. The spring  24   d  rebounds forcing the pushrod  24   b  and the target subassembly  40  to its initial position. This causes the balls  25  in the magazine slot  22   a ,  FIG. 1 , to move down by one place. Kept on the raceway  32   a  by the top edge of cover plate  33 , the dispensed ball rolls into the score bar  32   b  relevant to the position of knob  32   c . Should there be more than two players in the game; the score bar with lower score is emptied and the knob  32   c  is positioned to select it for subsequent player. The balls in the score bar with higher count are kept as a tally to beat. 
     To use the gaming device with a paper target,  FIG. 7 , the target silhouette subassemblies are removed from the pellet trap  10  prior to attaching the paper target on the face of the trap using magnets or masking tape.