Patent GB-1275697-A (GB)
Title: Coin or token operated game apparatus
Inventor: ELDER CLARENCE L
IPC: G07F17/34
Filed: 1970-11-18
Abstract: 1275697 Chance apparatus C L ELDER 18 Nov 1970 54779/70 Heading A6H [Also in Divisions G4 and G6] An amusement machine comprises motor driven chance mechanism for setting up a random series of indicia 334, 336, 338, 340 (Figure 3), and mechanism for a player to set up a second series of indicia A8-D8, there being means L for indicating to the player a correspondence between the two series of indicia. The indicia may comprise numbers, assorted fruit or geometric shapes. A player deposits a token in a slot A2; the token operates the chance mechanism to automatically set up a series of numbers on registers 334-340 in a window W which is covered by a blind. The player sets up any selected series of numbers in apertures A8-D8 by sliding operators 48; he inserts a security key into a slot B2 to free an operating handle H. The operating handle H instigates a comparison between the two series of numbers and illuminates a lamp L if the series correspond The lamp L instructs the player to operate a switch S which expels a voucher 88 having the winning series printed on it. The player may play a selected portion of the series of numbers; a token in slot A2 and a security key in slot B2 play the numbers in registers 334 and 336; additional tokens in slots D2 and/or C2 play four or three numbers respectively. Further numbers may be added to the indicia. Chance Mechanism. The chance mechanism AC-DC comprises four motors M corresponding one to each register 334-340; the motors M rotate continuously except when a chance selection has been made. The armature shaft 11 of each motor M carries a disc 10 having a projecting guide pin 12. Each motor M is associated with a solenoid 18(A-D) having a shaft 16 that supports a switch plate 14. The switch plate 14 is moved towards the disc 10 on energisation of the solenoid, until the guide pin 12 cooperates with a guide track 32 (see also Figure 8). The disc 10 continues to rotate until the pin 12 enters an elongated slot 22 in the switch plate 14. The pin 12 cooperates with a switch 34 by depressing an insulating contact shoe 42 to move a contact 40 from a first fixed contact 36 to a second fixed contact 38. The changeover of switch 34 deenergises the motor M. The switch plates attached to solenoids 18(A-D) correspond with the registers 334-340 (Figure 3) respectively and support two, three, four and four switches 34 in slots 22, each. The switch 34 that is operated on each switch plate 14 completes a circuit to determine the number set up on the appropriate register 334-340 and on corresponding print-wheels 80-86 arranged in parallel with the registers. Selecting Mechanism. A token inserted in slot A2 closes a pair of contacts (54), (56) (see Figure 4, not reproduced) to energise solenoids 58, 60, 18(A-D) (Figure 3). Solenoid 58 withdraws a pin (63) (see Figure 13, not reproduced) from cooperation with the operator 48 of column A, to allow its movement. Solenoid 60 compresses a spring (70) (see Figure 12, not reproduced) to urge a ball detent (72) towards the column A operator 48 to lock it in a selected position. Columns B-D are locked by detents. The player selects a series of numbers A8-D8 by sliding the four operators 48 (Figure 3) vertically. Each operator 48 carries a cam 50 that closes one of a plurality of manually open switches: 2A, 4A for a first number A8; 2B-6B for a second number B8; 2C-8C for a third number C8; 2D-8D for a fourth number D8. A security key inserted in slot B2 closes a pair of contacts (55) (59) (see Figure 4) to complete a circuit to normally closed switch 1A (Figure 3) that energises a solenoid 124. This solenoid withdraws its armature shaft 126 to release the operating handle H. When the player pulls the handle H, pivoted at 115, attached arms SW and 130 swings the blind from the window W to reveal the chance selected series of numbers. Pins (118) and (122) (Figure 4) on arm SW operate contacts to prepare a solenoid 100 (Figure 3) for energisation on winning through the closed switches of the series 2A- 8D. The path of energisation depends on the number of tokens inserted by the player. Printing Mechanism. A set of print wheels 80-86 are set to display the chance selected series of numbers. For a winning game, solenoid 100 is energised to withdraw a rod 102 from an aperture 104 in the end of a voucher feed roller 92 and to close contacts 110, 112 to illuminate the lamp L and energise a solenoid 98 that stamps the print wheels 80-86 onto the paper voucher 88. When the switch S is depressed by the player, a motor 96 is energised to rotate the feed roller 92 and expel the voucher 88 from a paper roll 90, until the rod 102 reengages an aperture 104 so that the contacts 110, 112 are spaced, the motor 96 deenergised and the lamp L extinguished. A time delay (120) (Figure 4) deenergises all the solenoids, zeroizes the registers, print wheels and operators and relocks the handle.