Abstract:
An amusement game with a rotating target displays different targets to players on opposing teams. Players on each team throw objects at the targets to score points. The rotating target includes sensors that sense if the object hits the target.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of amusement games. More particularly, the present invention relates to an amusement game wherein a player throws an object at a target including a plurality of faces, each with a unique target configuration that rotates between turns, allowing players to throw at more than one target configuration during the course of a game. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Coin operated amusement games where a player throws an object at a target are known in the art. Typically, such games are placed against a wall, thereby providing an upright target at which the object may be thrown. Most coin operated amusement games for bars and arcades were developed as adaptations of popular games played elsewhere. Examples of existing target games include dart boards and automatic basketball games. Target games such as those previously described may be played by one or more player simultaneously. In the case of the automatic basketball game, arcades often have multiple games arranged side by side to allow players to compete against each other at the same time. 
         [0003]    Beer pong is a popular drinking game that takes the concept of a target game and adds the social elements of teams and, in the case of traditional beer bong, drinking Typically, beer pong includes two teams of players and is played on and around a free-standing table. Each team has a grouping of target cups partially filled with beer, arranged in a triangular pattern at the opposite end of the table from where the team stands. The teams alternate throwing ping pong balls at the target cups. When a player successfully throws a ball into one of the cups, a player on the opposing team removes the cup from the pattern. The team that successfully clears the cups wins the game. 
         [0004]    Existing beer pong games have a number of limitations that prohibit the game from being played as a coin-operated amusement game. First, typical beer pong games require that the players arrange loose cups in formation at either side of the table and partially fill those cups with beer. Second, when a player successfully throws a ball into a cup, a player on the opposing team must pick up the cup and drink its contents thereby removing the cup from the field of play. It should be apparent that providing loose cups to players to use in a bar or arcade environment would be problematic. The cups would inevitably get dirty, lost, broken, etc., causing the maintenance and attention needed to be paid to such a game to be prohibitive. Second, if the cups were to be filled with beer, as is typical in beer pong games, the cups would be prone to spilling, requiring constant cleaning by the bar or arcade operator. It is simply not feasible to have an arcade amusement game that includes loose cups and/or liquid. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for an amusement game that captures the team aspect of beer pong, but eliminates the messiness of the game. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to an amusement game wherein teams of players throw objects at a target that rotates between turns to display a plurality of target configurations. The amusement game includes a cabinet having a target apparatus that is rotatably attached to the cabinet. The target apparatus has a plurality of faces, each of which includes at least one target. Each target include es a sensor for sensing when an object hits the target. A motor is attached to the target apparatus that rotates the target apparatus to display one of the faces to a player. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the invention that emulates the game play of beer pong, the target apparatus is a platform having two target faces. Attached to each target face is an array of target cups arranged in a triangular pattern. The target apparatus is centrally located between two ends of the cabinet so that players on opposing teams may throw from opposite ends of the cabinet. After one team has completed a turn throwing balls at one array of target cups, the target apparatus rotates to display the other array of target cups to the team at the other end of the cabinet. At the bottom of each target cup, is a sensor that senses if a ball passes through the cup. A game controller scores a point for either team when one of its players throws a ball into one of the cups and displays the results on at least one screen located in the cabinet. 
         [0008]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment an amusement game with rotating target in accordance with the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the amusement game of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side section view of the amusement game of  FIG. 1  taken generally along the line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of the amusement game of  FIG. 1  taken generally along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a detail perspective view of the rotating target of the amusement game of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a detail view of the amusement game of  FIG. 1  taken generally along the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an amusement game with rotating target in accordance with the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the amusement game of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , one embodiment of an amusement game  100  in accordance with the invention is shown. The amusement game  100  includes a cabinet  102  that players stand around. The cabinet  102  has a top  104  and two ends  106  where players stand to play the game. In the embodiment shown, the cabinet  102  is generally box shaped and is long enough and wide enough to accommodate teams of players positioned at each end  106 . Of course, the size and shape of the cabinet  102  may vary to accommodate installations in a wide variety of spaces without departing from the invention. In the embodiment shown, access doors  108  are provided on the side of the cabinet  102  to allow access to the inside of the cabinet. Each end  106  includes a ball return hole  110  for delivering a ball  128  to a player after the ball is thrown at a target  124 . A rotating target apparatus  114  is centrally located on the cabinet and includes a plurality of faces  115 , each of which includes at least one target  124 . In the embodiment shown, the targets  124  are ten cups  116  positioned in a triangular pattern like typical beer pong game. Of course, alternative target configurations may be used without departing from the invention. Additionally, the targets  124  may be engaged by the ball  128  so that the ball need not pass through the target  124  in order to score. 
         [0018]    A controller  111  controls all aspects of the amusement game  100  including but not limited to scoring, payment, sounds, lights, and position of the rotating target apparatus  114 . In the embodiment shown, the controller is a computer program that may be stored on any suitable computer that includes memory and a central processing unit (CPU). In the embodiment shown, the controller  111  is located inside the cabinet. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment shown, one end  106  of the cabinet  102  includes a coin/bill/card acceptor  112  which accepts payment to enable the start of a game. The game  100  can also be configured to operate without payment or by alternative payment means without departing from the invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of the amusement game  100  in accordance with the invention. A screen  122  is located near each end  106 , which shows game information to the players. Some examples of game information may include a representation of a target  124 , the current score of the game, number of credits left, high scores, etc. Additionally, when the game  100  is not being played, advertising or other marketing material may be shown on the screens  122 . Near at least one screen  122  is a plurality of buttons  120  that allow a player to configure the game and perform other functions. In the embodiment shown, the buttons  120  are typical push buttons found on arcade games. Alternatively, the screen  122  may have interactive touch capability or other input means, which may eliminate the need for buttons  120 . A gutter  130  is positioned under and around the rotating target apparatus  114 . On either side of the gutter  130  and spanning the length thereof is a shield  118  (see  FIG. 1 ) that prevents errant throws from escaping the cabinet  102  and directing such errant throws into the gutter  130 . In the embodiment shown, the shield  118  is made of a generally transparent, substantially rigid material such as Plexiglas but any suitable material such as glass or netting may be used without departing from the invention. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3-5 , a rotating target apparatus is shown. In the embodiment shown, the rotating target apparatus  114  includes a ramp  148  that directs a ball  128  that passes through a cup  116  into the gutter  130  so that it may be returned to the next thrower. In an alternative embodiment, rather an including a ramp  148  between the cups  116 , the cups on either side of the rotating target apparatus  114  may be attached to each other at the bottoms so that when a ball enters one cup  116 , it passes through the bottom and out the cup on the opposite side of the rotating table. In yet another embodiment, the cups  116  may have their bottoms intact so that any balls  128  thrown into cups would fall out only after the rotating target apparatus  114  rotates to begin the next turn. 
         [0022]    A motor  140  is connected to the rotating target apparatus  114  and causes it to rotate about an axle  138 . As shown, the axle  138  passes horizontally through the rotating target apparatus  114 , but alternative axle orientations may be used without departing from the invention. The motor  140  drives the rotating target apparatus  114  by a belt  142  and two pulleys  144 . The belt  142  is a timing belt and the pulleys  144  are timing belt pulleys. Using a timing belt along with timing belt pulleys allows consistent turning of the rotating target apparatus  114  in either direction. Alternately, the motor  140  may be directly connected to the rotating target apparatus  114  by a driveshaft, a system of gears, or any other suitable method without departing from the invention. In the embodiment shown, the controller controls the position of the rotating target apparatus  114 . Similarly to electronic dart boards that sense the number of throws in a designated turn and automatically commence a new turn, when the controller in the present invention determines that a turn has been completed, the computer turns on the motor  140  for a predetermined period of time, rotating the rotating target apparatus  114  one hundred eighty degrees. In the embodiment shown, the motor  140  is a typical brushless electric motor, but any suitable motor may be used without departing from the invention. Other suitable motors may include but are not limited to stepper motors or servo motors. Of course, if the rotating target apparatus  114  has more than two target surfaces, the controller can operate the motor  140  in either direction and for more or less time as desired to achieve the degrees of rotation called for by the game. 
         [0023]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a detail view of the rotating target apparatus  114  is shown. The rotating target apparatus  114  is positioned between the ends  106  and comprises a target  124  at which the players will throw the ball  128 . In the embodiment shown, the target  124  includes ten cups  116  arranged in a generally triangular pattern. The pattern is repeated on both the top and bottom of the rotating target apparatus  114 . In alternative embodiments, the rotating table could have targets on a third or fourth side and may have any pattern. Additionally, the rotating table may have more than four sides, allowing a wide variety of target shapes and sizes. Returning to the embodiment shown, the bottoms of the cups  116  are removed, allowing the ball  128  to pass through the cups. Near the open bottom of each cup  116  is a cup sensor  117  (See  FIG. 4 ) that senses when a ball passes through the cup, scoring a point for the team throwing at the target. In the embodiment shown, the cup sensor  117  is an infrared sensor, but any suitable sensor may be used without departing form the invention. 
         [0024]    At the bottom of the gutter  130  is a gutter sensor that senses when a ball  128  passes into the ball return tube  134 . If the sensor at the base of the gutter  130  senses a ball before one of the cup sensors  117 , the computer understands that a missed shot has occurred. On the other hand, if one of the cup sensors  117  senses a ball  128  pass through a cup before the ball passes the gutter sensor, the controller understands that a shot has been successful. Each cup sensor  117  sends a discrete signal to the controller so that the controller can understand which cup  116  the ball  128  has passed through. Unlike a basketball arcade game where the only target is a hoop, in the present invention, once a ball  128  passes through a cup  116 , a point is scored, but the cup is no longer “in play” meaning that another ball passing through the same cup will not score a point. In alternative embodiments, which cups are “live” may be change during the game, with the in-play cups being shown on the screen  122 . 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a ball return mechanism is shown in accordance with the invention. It is more likely than not that a player&#39;s throw of the ball  128  will not pass through a cup  116  because the cup openings are small and located far enough away that a successful shot is difficult. Thus, there is a need for a ball return system to catch and return the ball  128  to the team whose turn it is next, whether or not the ball landed in a cup  116  or in the gutter  130 . The same ball retrieval system can be used to return a ball  128  that passes through a cup  116  as well as a ball that lands in the gutter  130 . In the embodiment shown, a thrown ball  128 , whether it passes through a cup  128  or not, falls into the gutter  130  which is the beginning of the ball retrieval system. The gutter  130  is sloped to direct the ball  128  to a ball return tube  134 . In the embodiment shown, the ball return tube  134  is centrally located with respect to the length of the game  100 , but it may be anywhere in the cabinet  102  without departing from the invention. The ball return tube  142  is a system of tubular bodies that allow passage of the ball  128  from the gutter  130  to the ball return holes  110 . A diverter  132  inside the ball return tube  134  directs the ball  128  in the direction of the next throwing team. The diverter  132  moves to selectively block and/or open part of the ball return tube  134 . Once the ball  128  passes the diverter  132 , in this embodiment the ball is blown by forced air generated by a fan  136  into one of the ball return holes  110 . Of course, any suitable ball return mechanism may be used without departing from the invention. One example of an alternative ball return mechanism may be to include a ball return mechanism that relies only on gravity to return the ball  128  to the ball return hole  110 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 7-8  show an alternative embodiment of an amusement game with rotating target  200 , with the cabinet  202  configured to be placed against a wall  300  and for each team to throw from the same end  206 . As shown, a rotating target apparatus  214  is located toward end  206  and includes a plurality of faces  215 , each of which includes at least one target  224 . Of course, alternative cabinet embodiments may be used without departing from the invention. Like the previous embodiment described, the rotating target apparatus  214  rotates about an axis to display one of the plurality of faces  215  to a player. After a ball (not shown) is thrown at the target  224 , it drops into a gutter  230  that directed the ball into a ball return is also included that returns a thrown ball to a ball return hole  210  where it may be retrieved by a player. Near the ball return hole is a coin/bill/card acceptor  212  which accepts payment to enable the start of a game. The embodiment shown also includes a display  220  that may display the score of the game or any other information desired. A player may configure and control the game using a plurality of buttons  220  located on the top surface of the cabinet  202 . As in the previous embodiment, any alternative configuration or control means including but not limited to a touchscreen may replace the buttons  220  without departing from the invention. 
         [0027]    Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.