Abstract:
The game apparatus has a gamepiece aiming device having a plurality of degrees of movement that allows a player to have better aiming capability. The game apparatus features a multi-playfield game having at least first and second playfields that are coupled to one another. The gamepiece aiming device emits a gamepiece into the first playfield for first game play, the gamepiece thereafter being conducted to the second playfield for second game play. The gamepiece aiming device has a first degree of movement that is a substantially linear movement, and a second degree of movement that is a substantially rotational movement. In general, the playfield has a plurality of playfields and a plurality of levels, at least one respective playfield being in each level of the plurality of levels. Each playfield has a win/lose scenario, and the win/lose scenarios are independent of one another. Redemption tickets can be dispensed based on results of the win/lose scenarios.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/253,854 filed Nov. 29, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to arcade games, and in particular, to coin or token redemption games. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous types of arcade games are known in the prior art. Roll-down games are popular games in arcades and utilize a ramp and a gamepiece, such as a coin, that is directed down the ramp. The coin, for example, is directed onto or into targets or around obstacles, and a game score is accumulated based on hitting or landing on the targets. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,217 discloses a roll-down arcade game that has an inclined playing surface and a coin directing mechanism. A player can direct a coin in a desired direction down the playing surface using the directing mechanism. The coin rolls toward one or more targets on the playing surface, and a game score is adjusted based on the target that receives the coin. 
     Such games only provide one game play per coin. Also, the player has limited aiming ability with regards to propelling the coin onto the playing surface. Furthermore, these arcade games have a limited lifetime, because players lose interest in playing the game. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for an arcade game that provides more than one game play for a single coin or token, as well as, an aiming device that allows the player to be more accurate in aiming the coin. There is a further need in the prior art for an arcade game that has a longer lifetime by sustaining the players&#39; interest by providing new game play. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The game apparatus of the present invention has a gamepiece aiming device having a plurality of degrees of movement that allows a player to have better aiming capability. The inventive game apparatus features a multi-playfield game having at least first and second playfields that are coupled to one another. The gamepiece aiming device emits a gamepiece into the first playfield for first game play, the gamepiece thereafter being conducted to the second playfield for second game play. 
     The gamepiece aiming device has a first degree of movement, of a plurality of degrees of movement, that is a substantially linear movement, and a second degree of movement, of the plurality of degrees of movement, that is a rotational movement. The playfield has a plurality of playfields and a plurality of levels, at least one respective playfield being in each level of the plurality of levels. Each playfield has a win/lose scenario, the win/lose scenarios being independent of one another. 
     In one embodiment the present invention is a multilevel game apparatus, in which the gamepiece aiming device has a gamepiece ejection device configure to have at least a rotational movement, and a carriage that supports the gamepiece ejection device, the carriage configured to have a linear movement. The game apparatus has a multi-playfield game having at least first and second levels, and having at least first and second playfields that are coupled to one another, the first playfield located in the first level and the second playfield located in the second level. The gamepiece aiming device emits a gamepiece into the first playfield for first game play on the first level, the gamepiece thereafter being conducted to the second playfield for second game play on the second level. 
     In another embodiment the present invention is a game system, which has a plurality of modular playfields. The game system has a multi-playfield game that has removeably coupled thereto a number of playfields that is a subset of the plurality of modular playfields, each of the playfields in the game device being successively traversed by a gamepiece, and each of the playfields in the game device having a respective win/lose scenario. Each playfield is coupled to a following playfield except for a last playfield in the game device. Each playfield is played irrespective of an outcome of a win/lose scenario of a previous playfield, and playfields in the game device are interchangeable with other playfields of the plurality of modular playfields. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several Figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is another view of the game apparatus of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a diagram depicting the multiple levels of the inventive game apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the FIG. 3 embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a diagram depicting the multiple levels of another embodiment of the inventive game apparatus. 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of the FIG. 5 embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 depicts the gamepiece aiming device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the FIG. 7 embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 depicts a cover of the gamepiece aiming device. 
     FIG. 10 depicts an internal tray of the gamepiece aiming device. 
     FIG. 11 depicts the components of the gamepiece aiming device. 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention illustrating the gamepiece aiming device. 
     FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention illustrating the modular playfield concept. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a game apparatus or amusement machine having a unique coin mechanism assembly for use in arcade games of skill. The assembly is a gamepiece aiming device that uses more than one degree of movement allowing the player to have a higher degree of accuracy. With the ability to move the gamepiece aiming device side to side, the player is able to line up the entire assembly with the target prior to inserting the coin. In addition the player can also use the pivot option to make fine adjustments in aiming. For the arcade owner of the inventive game apparatus, the coin mechanism also allows for user inaccuracy, thereby increasing the player challenge and level of difficulty. 
     This sliding, rotating and/or swiveling coin aiming device of the present invention will aim and eject coins onto a downward slanting clear-viewing upper first playfield whereby coins are rolled toward moving lit targets and then drop onto a second playfield of a coin pusher, or other game device which periodically disturbs coins distributed thereon. The novel game apparatus incorporates two playfields or games in a single game cabinet. The player actives both games by insertion of a coin, for example, and gets two plays as one challenge. 
     The amusement machine of the present invention has the ability to have various interchangeable and compatible components from manufacture produced kits. With these kits the arcade game of skill is easily and quickly transformed into a completely different game. The majority of the game cabinet remains the same, but the internal components such as software, graphics, and specific game hardware are easily interchangeable. With the multi-playfield concept on different levels, the arcade owner has the ability to combine any combination of games offered. If an arcade owner decides to change the game after initial purchase, an upgrade kit from the manufacture will do that. The cabinet assembly including the display boards, circuit board, coin mechanism, ticket mechanism, lighting, glass, cabinet, and other hardware remain the same. Thus the arcade owner can continuously upgrade and change the game at minimal cost. 
     In one embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the present invention is a multilevel redemption game  100 . The game  100  has a gamepiece aiming device  102 , a multi-playfield game  104 , and a score display  106 , each of which is contained in a cabinet  110 . A redemption game is a game of skill where a player inserts a token or coin, and through the use of eternal controls directs the token to a set of predetermined targets. Upon achieving the targets, a player will be awarded tickets  108 . The tickets  108  may be redeemed for prizes. 
     As depicted in FIG. 2 the multi-playfield game proceeds on two layers. In this embodiment a first layer has a first playfield  202 . For the uppermost first layer the target is a series of slots  204 . A lamp indicates which slot  204  is active and will generate additional tickets if the player can direct an inserted coin into the active slot  204 . A coin mechanism slide or gamepiece aiming device  200  allows a player to direct the inserted coin towards an active slot  204 . The coin is inserted into a gamepiece receiving mechanism  201 . Such gamepiece or coin mechanisms are well known in the art. 
     Once the coin has been directed towards a slot  204  on the first playfield  202  of the first layer, the token will fall towards a second playfield  208  of a second layer where additional tickets may be generated. In the second layer additional tickets will be awarded if the inserted coin can cause additional existing coins to fall off the lower second layer. Such a game is known as a coin pusher in the art. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 more clearly show the FIG. 2 embodiment. The gamepiece aiming device  308  has a shoot  309  via which a coin  310  is ejected onto a surface  312  of a first playfield  302 . The coin  310  then enters a slot  314 , which may or may not be a win. The coin is then conducted via a structure  316  to the second playfield  306 , which is a coin pusher game. On the second playfield  306 , pusher  322  pushes the coins  320  into receiving area  324 . Each of the first and second playfields  302 ,  306  are independent games that reside in separate first and second levels,  300 ,  304 , respectively. In the FIG. 2 embodiment, the surface  312  of the first playfield is glass so that a player can view the second playfield  306 , which is located below the first playfield. Tickets or other rewards are dispensed after both playfields have been traversed by a coin. Thus a player can play multiple games with a single coin, each of the games or playfields having its own win/lose scenario. These win/lose scenarios can be independent of one another or, alternatively, playing a successive playfield can be dependent upon the win/lose scenario of a previous playfield. 
     The second playfield need not be located below the first playfield. An alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment the second level  504  having a second playfield  506  is located above the first level  500  having a first playfield  502 . Furthermore the second level  504  is substantially in a vertical orientation, whereas the first level  502  is substantially in a horizontal plane relative to one another. 
     Similar to the FIG. 3 embodiment, the gamepiece aiming device  508  has a shoot  509  via which a coin  510  is ejected onto the first playfield  502  in the first level  500 . The shoot is adjustable so as to accommodate different size coins or tokens. Alternatively the shoot  509  can have a fixed configuration. The coin  510  then enters a slot  514 , which may or may not be a win. The coin is then conducted via a solenoid  520  and structure  522  to the second playfield  506  in the second level  504 , where obstacles  530  (FIG. 6) deflect the coin until it resides in one of the slots  532 . Each of the first and second playfields  502 ,  506  are independent games that reside in first and second levels,  500 ,  504 , respectively, and tickets or other rewards are dispensed after both playfields have been traversed by the coin. Thus a player can play multiple games with a single coin, each of the games or playfields having its own win/lose scenario. 
     The gamepiece aiming device uses more than one degree of movement allowing the player to have a higher degree of accuracy. As schematically depicted in FIG. 7 The gamepiece aiming device  704  has a gamepiece receiving mechanism  706  and a shoot  708  for ejecting coins  710  onto a playfield  700 . The playfield  700  is inclined at an angle  702 , for example about 22 degrees, so that the coins  710  will roll down the playfield  700 . With the ability to move the gamepiece aiming device  704  side to side, as indicated by arrow  714 , the player is able to line up the gamepiece aiming device with the target prior to inserting the coin. In addition the player is also allowed to pivot the gamepiece aiming device  704 , as indicated by arrow  716 , to make fine adjustments. For the operator, the coin mechanism also allows for player inaccuracy, therefore increasing the player challenge and level of difficulty. Depending upon the orientation of the gamepiece aiming device  704 , the coins  710  will be directed along different paths such as paths  712 ,  720 ,  722 ,  724 ,  726 ,  726 . 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the gamepiece aiming device  800  with gamepiece receiving device  808  and shoot  810 . The gamepiece aiming device moves linearly (first degree of movement) as indicated by arrow  804  along rail  802 , and rotates (second degree of movement) as indicated by arrow  806 . Coins can thus be ejected along different paths  812 ,  814 ,  816  on playfield  811 . In one embodiment the linear first degree of movement is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis on the first playfield. In a further embodiment the gamepiece aiming device  800  has a third degree of movement in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first degree of movement. (See arrow  705  in FIG. 7.) Alternatively, the gamepiece aiming device  800  may have a swivel mechanism for effecting the plurality of degrees of movement. 
     In one embodiment, the gamepiece aiming device allows for most standard coin mechanisms to be inserted therein. This gives the ability for the operator to interchange different coin mechanisms. The coin mechanism is easily accessible, easily removed, and easily installed. Coin/token accepting mechanisms are well known in the prior art. One common type of standard coin mechanism measures 3″ by 5″, but is not useable in roll-down games. It is commonly used in most video and redemption games. The gamepiece aiming device of the present invention utilizes in one embodiment such a standard coin mechanism due in part to the use of the shoot described above. This is an advantage of the present invention over the prior art in that an operator/owner of the game can easily change from one size coin to another. The coin mechanism slides or is hinged, for example, into an interior of the gamepiece aiming device. Of course various other types of coin mechanisms can be used with the present invention. In this particular embodiment standard coin mechanisms (gamepiece receiving mechanisms) refer to the various coin/token acceptors that have the 3″ by 5″ configuration. 
     As depicted in FIGS. 9,  10  and  11 , the gamepiece aiming device has a carriage  1102  that contains the rail  1106  and bearing components  1104  that allow the side to side motion. The rail  1106  of the carriage  1102  is secured to the game cabinet  1108 . The gamepiece aiming device also has an internal tray  1000  that sits unsecured on the top of the carriage  1102  and covers all exposed openings created by sliding movement. Placed on top of the carriage  1102 , the internal tray  1000  is free moving within the area between the carriage  1102  and a cover  900 . The cover  900  sits on top of the carriage  1102  and internal tray  1000 . The cover  900  is secured to the game cabinet  1108  on either side. None of the three components  900 ,  1000 ,  1102  are secured to each other. Only the cover  900  and rail  1106  are secured to the cabinet  1108 . Each of the cover  900  and tray  1000  has an opening  902 ,  1002  respectively for the gamepiece ejection device  1100 . 
     The gamepiece aiming device is shown in an exploded view in FIG.  12 . The gamepiece aiming device  1208  has carriage  1202  with rail  1206  and bearings  1204 , internal tray  1210 , and cover  1212 . The rail  1206  and cover  1212  are secured to the cabinet  1200 . A door  1214  of the cabinet  1200  has the redemption ticket dispenser  1216 . A housing cover  1218  is attached to the front of the cabinet  1200 . 
     The arcade game of the present invention can be easily transformed into a completely different game within minutes. The majority of the game cabinet  1300  (see FIG. 13) remains the same, but the internal components such as software, graphics, and specific game hardware are developed to be easily interchangeable. With the door  1302  that has the redemption dispenser  1304  and tickets  1306  in an open position, a modular playfield  1308  can be easily and quickly installed in the cabinet  1300 . With the multi-playfield concept the purchaser/owner has the ability to combine any combination of games offered. If a purchaser/owner later decides to change the game after initial purchase, an upgrade kit can be offered. The cabinet assembly including the display boards, circuit board, coin mechanism, ticket mechanism, lighting, glass, cabinet, and other hardware remain the same. Thus the owner can continuously upgrade and change the game at a significantly lower cost than buying new games. In one embodiment the second playfield is replaceable whereas the first playfield is permanently secured to the game cabinet. 
     The invention is not limited to the particular details of the apparatus depicted and other modifications and applications are contemplated. For example, gamepieces of various shapes, such as balls, can be utilized with the present invention other than coins and tokens. Certain other changes may be made in the above described apparatus without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention herein involved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in the above depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.