Patent GB-796371-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to amusement apparatus
IPC: G07F17/32
Filed: 1956-01-16
Abstract: 796,371. Chance apparatus. CROMPTON, A. J. L. Jan. 9, 1957 [Jan. 16, 1956], No. 1372/56. Class 132(2) [Also in Group XVIII] A token-freed amusement apparatus comprises two or more playing stations 2 each designated by a picture (such as a filmstar's photograph), displayed in a panel 3 and an indicator panel 4 having divisions 5 in which legends (such as film-star's names) corresponding to the pictures are illuminated individually in quick succession during a playing period, the numbers which are lit, and therefore the last to be lit, being varied in random fashion in each period. During a dwell period at the end of each playing period, one or more players can insert a coin at a station selected according to their forecast of which legend will be last to be lit at the end of the next playing period and a correct forecast will cause prize winning tokens to be delivered at that station. A continuously running motor 7 supplied with current from a source 8 rotates a contact-closing drum 6 and during part of a complete revolution of the drum contacts 9, 10 energizes a second motor 11 for driving a switch arm 12 over contacts 13 for lighting up the divisions 5 of the indicator panel 4.- Control of the motor 11 is by means of a thermostatic cut-out in the form of a flashing bulb 14 and adjustable relay 15, the circuit from a current source 16 to the bulb being closed during the running of the motor 11 by drum contacts 14a, 14b. A variable resistance 17 permits manual variation of the speed of the motor 11 and a resistance 18 in circuit with drum contacts 18a, 18b slows the motor gradually at the end of each cycle. Relays 23 corresponding to the display panels 3 are energized individually at the same time as the divisions 5 and are conditioned for operation by a holding relay 21 energized through drum contacts 19, 20. The relays 23 control prize-delivery coils 24 connected in a circuit from drum contacts 19, 20. The relays 23 control prizedelivery coils 24 connected in a circuit from drum contacts 56, 57. An inserted token rests on an abutment 52 and can be released down a shoot 25 by pressing a push-button switch 53 connected to drum contacts 54, 55 and to a solenoid 51, unless returned to a coin cup 28 by a deflector plate 27 which, during playing periods, moves into the shoot under the control of a solenoid 26 connected to drum contacts 29, 30. The falling token swings a lever 37, 38 to close a switch 40 and an arm 41 dropping behind the arm 38 holds the switch closed, thus conditioning a delivery coil 24 for that station so that tokens will be delivered if the station should be a winning one and the coil is made "live" through the associated relay 23 actuated by the contacts 13. The switch 40 is subsequently closed by a coil 42 which is energized through drum contacts 43, 44 and withdraws the arm 41. The tokens collect in a cylinder 33, unless deflected by a full cylinder into a collecting box 33, and when a coil 24 is operated linkage 34 moves a pusher 31 to deliver prize tokens and also to close a switch 46 so that, if jamming is caused by a bent token at the lower end of a cylinder 33, a coil 47 is energized to raise a shield 70. At the end of a playing period, the lighting of the panels 3 and 5 is extinguished by the opening of drum contacts 58, 59 and contacts 58. 59, 61, 62 illuminate a green light 60 to indicate a dwell period. Drum contacts 63, 64 actuate a coil for brake 66 preventing over-run of the arm 12 at the end of a playing period. The panel 4 may have a different number of each of the different names thus giving a greater chance of winning to some stations and these stations are arranged to issue fewer prize-winning tokens. Instead of each station being allocated a particular name, means may be provided for the player to select any of the names to apply to his chosen station.