Patent GB-415106-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for playing games of skill
IPC: G07F17/32
Filed: 1933-02-17
Abstract: 415,106. Coin-freed game apparatus. McCURD, W. A., 3, Albemarle Street, Clerkenwell, London. Feb. 17, 1933, No. 4994. [Class 27.] In coin-freed apparatus for playing a game of skill wherein a successful operation results in the award of a prize, means are provided for distributing the inserted coins in succession to a plurality of containers. In a game of the kind wherein a member 12 is projected up a pair of vertical guide rails 11 with the object of bringing it to rest at any one of a number of winning positions, there is provided at each of these winning positions, in place of the normal rack teeth 21, a tooth 24 on the end of a pivoted lever 25 so that when this tooth is depressed by a pawl 22 on the member 12, the movement of the lever 25 is caused to deliver a prize from the apparatus. A spring 14 takes part of the weight of the member 12, which carries a pointer 15 and is projected upwards by striking a handle 19 to operate a lever 17 and plunger 16, cushioning pads 20 being provided. The prize, which may take the form of coins used to release the apparatus, is carried in a container 28, one such container being provided for each winning position. Each container comprises an inclined pivoted tray 281 with transparent side walls, and by means of a pin 35 and cam slot 34 the movement of the lever 25 is caused to release and rock the container clear of the casing 282 so that the prize is discharged into a bowl 37. To prevent fraudulent operation by bringing the member 12 down tooth by tooth until it reaches a tooth 24, the pawl 22 is pivoted at 38 and controlled by a spring 40 and a detent 39. When the pawl 22 is to be released from the rack, the detent 39 is withdrawn by moving a plate 41 to engage a roller 42 on the detent, whereupon the part 12 falls under its own weight, the pawl 22 being then rocked by a stop 44 and the detent 39 re-set. Fig. 6 shows apparatus for delivering a special prize, constituted by coins collected over a number of operations of the apparatus. A container 45 pivoted at 46 is weighted at its lower end 47 so that when a predetermined number of coins has been collected it becomes unstable and must be retained in its upright position by a latch 51, 49. The container when sufficiently loaded overcomes a pivoted counterweight and falls to a lower position, and an electric signal is given to indicate that this prize is now available for the next successful operation of the machine. The vertical movement of a bar 63 actuated by the lever 25 is used to move a detent 69 so as to engage the latch 51 and permit the container 45 to discharge into a guide 72 and bowl 73. To avoid shock when the part 12 returns to its lowermost position, an extension 118 on the part 12 carries a roller 119 which bears on a hinged bar 120 engaging in turn an arm 122 secured to a bellows 123. Coin action, mechanical-connection; diverting coins periodically.-Figs. 7-10 show the mechanism associated with insertion and distribution of the coins. To operate the machine a coin is inserted at a slot 741, and when it reaches a plunger 76, a handle 83 is turned. This causes a cam 89 to lift the plunger 76 so that the coin above it engages a member 79, thus lifting parts 80, 81, 82, and releasing a projection 86 on a disc 85, allowing further movement of the handle shaft 84 to bring a cam 91 into engagement with a bar 78 which releases the coin from the lower end of slot 77 and permits it to drop into a distributing container 92. Mechanism is also provided whereby when the setting-handle 83 is turned, spring plates 101, Fig. 3, are lifted to re-set any tray 30 which has discharged its contents ; and other parts are simultaneously re-set in readiness for the next operation. The distributer 92 has a radial rib 108 broadening downwards in spiral form to provide a sloping path for the coins to an outlet opening 109. It is rotated by the handle 83 over a plate 113 having a series of apertures which distribute the coins to the various containers, including the special container 45, and to a till 125 which takes a proportion not used for prizes.