Patent GB-324088-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in coin-freed amusement apparatus
IPC: G07F17/34
Filed: 1928-10-10
Abstract: 324,088. McCurd, W. A. Oct. 10, 1928. Games of skill. - Relates to amusement apparatus of the kind in which competitive wheels or other members are set in movement after the insertion of a coin and coins may be returned to the operator on completion of movement in accordance with the movements of the wheels &c. The apparatus comprises means by which the operator may control the slowing down of the wheels &c. so as to determine which of them will first complete a predetermined number of revolutions. In the the machine described, on inserting a coin into any one of a number of slots and pulling a hand-knob, discs 20, Figs. 1 and 14, are set spinning by the release of a pivoted weight 24, Figs. 2 and 14. Each disc is started at a different speed on successive operations of the machine through mechanism including eccentrics 44 visible through a window, and each disc is stopped after it has made a predetermined number of revolutions. Braking resistances applied to the several discs vary with the weight of coins in corresponding coin-receptacles 76 which are also visible. The operator is required to judge from the condition of the eccentrics 44 and of the coin-receptacles 76, before starting the machine, which disc will first complete its course, and to insert a coin in the slot corresponding to that disc. He may insert other coins into any slot while the discs are in motion, in order to vary the braking loads and so ensure the anticipated result. The coin receptacle corresponding to the wheel which first completes its course is tilted when the disc stops and any coins in it are delivered to the operator. Each disc may be provided with a mark to indicate the stopping position e.g. a representation of a horse. Setting the discs in motion. The weight 24, Fig. 2, pivoted at 23 is normally held as shown by a pawl 26 and is set in the position shown in broken lines by means of handle and one way clutch on the spindle 142. In this position, the weight is suported by the end 30 of a rocking frame 31 which is pivoted at 32 and held in the position shown by a catch 37 on a lever 38 pivoted at 39. A coin inserted into any one of the coin slots unlocks a pull-rod 155 operated by a knob 156, Fig. 1. The rod is then pulled out, moving the lever 38. by means of a bell-crank 167, and releasing the catch 37 so that the weight rocks the frame 31 raising a set of links 50, Figs. 1 and 2. When the weight 24 swings free of the rocking frame, the latter returns by gravity and the links operate ratchet gear such as 53, 54 and set the discs spinning. The rod 155 and lever 38 are returned by a spring, and the handle for re-setting the weight is blocked by the knob of the pull-rod 155 until the latter has returned to its normal position. For varying automatically the starting speeds of the discs, the lower end of each link 50 is connected to a slider 46 on a rod 47 carried by the frame 31, and at each operation of the frame each slider 46 is moved along its rod by a corresponding eccentric on a shaft 43 carried by the frame. The shaft 43 is turned by the engagement of an arm 57 with a pawl 69. A locking detent 59 pivoted at 59<x> is operated by a pawl 70 to free the eccentrics immediately before engagement of the members 57, 69. Stopping and re-setting the spinning discs. A planet wheel (not shown) on each disc 20 engages a fixed pinion on the spindle 21, Fig. 1, and drives a crank-disc and a sliding pin 78 so that after a given number of revolutions of the disc 20 the pin 78 projects radially from the rim and engages a lever 79. The lever 79 is pivoted at 93 and moves a link 86 which rests in a slot 87 in a lever 81. The latter rests upon a pin 88 on the link 86. When the lever 79 is moved by the pin 78, the lever 81 is drawn to the right, and is engaged by a pin 80 on the disc 20. Movement of the lever 81 is opposed by bellows 91 and by a spring 89, so that the disc 20 is stopped gradually and returned to its initial position. Braking the spinning discs. A separate brake for each disc 20 comprises a brake drum 75, and a shoe 74, Fig. 1, on the end of a lever 71 pivoted at 72. The other end of the lever carries the tilting coin tray 76, and the weight of the coins in the tray reduces or counterbalances the normal braking load on the corresponding wheel. A separate coin shoot leads to each tray 76. The brake-shoes 74 may be normally clear of the brake drums and brought into engagement therewith on starting the machine by connections between the rocking-frame 31 and the levers 71. Alternatively the weight of the coins may be caused to counterbalance or to increase instead of reducing the braking loads on the discs. The braking loads may be varied by hand-control, e.g. by a weight adjustable along a beam or by an adjustable spring balance the coin serving only to permit operation of the machine. The discs may be controlled by causing them to raise weights which may vary with the number of coins present or may be varied by means of independent weights adjustable along a beam. Returning the coins. The first disc to complete its course operates the lever 79 as described above, and by means of a slotted link 107, Fig. 1, moves a slider 105 to the right.. A bell-crank 110, 143 is pivoted on the slider 105 and is held by a spring in position to engage a second slider 113 which moves a lever 118 and tilts the coin tray 76 to deliver the coins to the operator through a shoot 209. At the same time a pin on the arm 110 of the bell-crank engages a corresponding lever 123 which turns a shaft 124 carrying a set of arms 126 corresponding to all the discs 20. The arms 126 are loose on the shaft 124 but are moved with the shaft by springs 128 connecting their lower ends 127 with crank arms 129 on the shaft. The arms 126 corresponding to the discs which are still spinning are thus brought into the paths of the arms 143 of the bell-cranks, and when those discs stop and the corresponding sliders 105 are moved to the right, the bell-cranks are turned about their pivots 112 so that the sliders 113 are not operated to tilt the coin trays. The shaft 124 is locked in this position by a pawl 132 pivoted on an arm 130 on the shaft, the pawl now engaging a fixed rack 133, but when the handle 27, Fig. 1, is turned to reset the weight 24, a cam acts to lower a rod 137, Figs. 1 and 14, and the head 144 of this rod strikes the tail 135 of the pawl 132 and releases the pawl from the rack, permitting return of the arms 126 by springs.