Patent GB-607795-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to amusement apparatus
IPC: G07F17/32
Filed: 1946-01-24
Abstract: 607,795. Coin-freed amusement apparatus. STEVENSON & LOVETT, Ltd., and LOVETT, F. E. Jan. 24, 1946, No. 2374. [Class 27] [Also in Group XV] A coin-freed amusement apparatus comprises a rotary member provided with a series of spaced controlling elements which the operator endeavours to actuate by tranversing an actuating member across the rotary member, the controlling elements, if successfully actuated, serving for example to return a coin to him and/or to light indicator lamps. In the apparatus shown, the rotary member comprises a translucent internally illuminated drum 12 mounted on a horizontal axis 11 and the controlling elements are dummy closure flaps 40 normally locked by gravity catches 43, the whole simulating the drum used in a sweepstake draw. The actuating member comprises the outstretched arm 45 of a figure 46 simulating a nurse which is adapted for movement lengthwise of the drum on spaced guide rods 50 by turning an external handwheel (not shown): the inner end of the handwheel shaft 53 has a pulley 57, and the two ends of a belt 58 are connected to a carrier 48 for the figure 46. The arm 45 of the figure terminates in a spring 47 by which it can engage and release the catches 43 so allowing the flaps 40 to fall open. A series of trip-bars 77 are disposed side-by-side below the arm 45, one in axial alignment with each flap 40. These trip bars are normally held in an upper position by the engagement of notches 80 therein over a fixed rail 66, but those whose flaps 40 have been opened by successful manipulation of the figure are struck backwards clear of the rail and fall to a lower position in which they close contacts 72, 73 controlling a series of indicator lamps 68 which light up in succession as the flaps are opened. Vertical slots 84, Figs. 3 and 6, in the trip bars are, moreover, lowered in relation to a coin release control rod 85 which extends through, and is supported by the slots. Consequently, if the operator succeeds in opening all the flaps as the drum rotates all the trip-bars are released and fall, and as the last one falls, the rod 85 rocks downwardly about off-set bearings 88 and actuates a cam 90 to rock a spindle 91 to deliver a prize coin. The drum is driven by an electric motor 35, the circuit of which is initially closed at contacts associated with a coin - freed manuallyoperated plunger 136, and is maintained for one complete revolution of the drum by contacts 30 operated by a cam 22 carried by the drum. There are two seriesconnected sets of contacts associated with the plunger 136, one set 160 are closed by a projection 157' on the plunger when it has been returned by a spring after being thrust-in to start the apparatus, whilst the other set 159 close when the plunger is thrust-in and are re-opened when a dash-pot plunger 153 makes a delayed return following actuation by the plunger 136. Both contacts are thus closed to complete the motor circuit for a short period sufficient to allow the maintaining contacts 30 to be closed. The plunger 136 is also connected by a lever 99, Fig. 6, pivoted at 100, to a cam 96 for resetting the trip-bars 77, the cam moving forwardly as the plunger 136 is thrust-in, and engaging under and lifting the rod 85, so lifting the trip-bars 77 back into locking engagement with the rail 66. The flaps re-close automatically under gravity as they pass upwardly at the rear as the drum rotates. Coin action, thrust and multiple-coin; prize-delivery mechanism.-Full inward movement of the plunger 136, to set the apparatus working, is prevented by engagement of a catch 138 pivoted at 139 with a step 135 in the plunger. A coin inserted through a slot 105 comes to rest on a ledge 144, is carried forward by the foremost of a series of pins 146 on the plunger, lifts the catch 138 to permit a full movement and then falls off the shelf 144. A second coin inserted before the return of the plunger rides on the pins 146 and falls into position on the shelf when the plunger has returned. The coin falls from the shelf 144 to a position 125 in a lower part of the chute where it is retained by a stop-pin 94 to serve as a prize coin. A coin already at position 125, however, turns a rocker 121 to throw a barrier 126 across the chute which diverts the coin released from the shelf 144 to a branch chute 128 leading to the till. The stop pin 94 is connected to the cranked end 93 of the spindle 91 which, when rocked as described above, withdraws the stop-pin from the chute and releases the prize - coin for delivery through an outlet 106 to the operator. Clearing-apparatus.-One side wall 111 of the lower part of the chute is hinged at 113 and can be swung open for clearing purposes after disconnecting the stop-pin and undoing a fly-nut 115.