An Improved Game Playing Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Game Playing Apparatus.
I, SIDNEY NEAL JOHNSON, of 210 La Salle Street, Chicago, County of Cook
and State of Illinois, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to the improvements in game apparatus but more particu-
larly to that class in which the manipulation or actuation of the game device is
accomplished by means of electricity, and it has for its object to have one or
more, preferably a series of devices, each capable of representing various points
of the game and adapted to be agitated within a limited space for the purpose
of causing it to assume various positions during its vibration or agitation, with
liability when such agitation ceases, of coming to rest in a position different
from the position which it occupied before such agitation took place, and thus
indicating points varying from the points formerly indicated.
In a more limited sense, the object of my invention is to have one or more,
preferably a series of cubical or prismatic bodies confined, yet capable of
agitating within the limits of their confinement so that when coming to rest
after agitation, the different faces of the cubical or prismatic bodies may appear
uppermost in such order as chance and the degree of agitation may determine,
the end to be attained in the game being to bring like faces of each body upper-
most in a given number of agitations.
Another object is to have the apparatus so arranged that the game devices
may be agitated singly and independently of each other, or all simultaneously
by a single manipulation, that is to say, by the movement of a single button
These objects
key or lever, or by depressing all of the keys or buttons at once.
are attained by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which :
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a game apparatus embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 a central vertical section thereof.
Figure 3 a diagrammatic view of the apparatus more clearly illustrating the
arrangement of the electric circuits.
Figure 4 a detail sectional elevation of the circuit closers.
Figure 5 a detail perspective view of the electro-magnet and the agitator
operated thereby, and
Figure 6 is a detail view of a modification hereinafter described.
Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of
the drawing.
Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings A indicates a box or casing
of any suitable shape and dimension, and containing a battery B, a series of
electro-magnets C, and a corresponding series of circuit closers D and E, one for
each electro-magnet.
One portion of the casing that is horizontal, say the portion G, constitutes
a table in which is provided a series of openings or perforations H, corresponding.
in number with the electro-magnets, and in each of which works or vibrates a
disc I, adjustably secured to the free end of a spring actuated armature lever J
to which is secured the armature K of the corresponding electro-magnet C, to
which lever is also secured a spring tongue L, normally in contact with a contact
post or point M, which devices act as automatic circuit makers and breakers
in substantially the same manner as like parts operate in an electric buzzer or bell.
Over the openings H, in the table, fit corresponding hemispherical like caps
or covers N, preferably formed of glass and secured to the table in any suitable

page_text: manner, which casings, while they serve to confine the cubical or prismatic
bodies O, when agitated by the discs I, at the same time permit these objects
to be observed by the players of the game.
The circuit closers D, also work through perforations in the table, (or they
may be at any other part of the casing) and terminate in, or are provided with,
push buttons P, by which they may be depressed so as to close the electric
circuit through their respective electro-magnets by making contact with the
circuit closers E. It will also be seen that the circuit closers E, are movable
being mounted upon or carried by a plate Q, which is in turn mounted upon
the free end of a lever R, thus constituting the closers E, floating closers or
contacts. With the opposite end of this lever R, is connected a push button S,
so that when said button is depressed, all of the circuit closers E, will be simul-
taneously elevated into contact with the circuit closers D, and thus simultaneously
close the circuits through all of the electro-magnets.
If desired, the bar Q, carrying the closers E, may be guided in its movement
by means of stationary uprights q, which pass through hubs or sleeves q', preferably
formed integral with the bar Q, the arrangement being the same at both ends
of the bar, but that at one end only being shown in the drawing. The force of
gravity in returning the bar to its lower position may be assisted by means of
a coil spring s¹, sleeved on each of the uprights 9, above the hubs or sleeves
and such springs of course, also hold the push button S, in its normal or elevated
position.
It will thus be understood that while either one of the push buttons P, may
be manipulated independently of all the others, which manipulation will result
in the actuation of the disc only, carried by the armature lever of the electro-
magnet through which the circuit is closed, at the same time by the manipulation
of the single push button S, the circuits through all of the electro-magnets may
be simultaneously closed, and hence, all of the cubical or prismatic bodies may
be simultaneously agitated.
For convenience in the manufacture of the device, I prefer to insulate all of
the circuit closers D, and E, from their respective supports.
In the drawings I have shown a separate battery for operating each electro-
magnet, using in such case, small dry batteries but obviously, a single battery,
either dry or fluid, may be used for operating all of the electro-magnets.
The circuits shown in the drawings are the same in each case, and may be
readily traced, beginning at the battery, with the wire 1, leading to the contact
post or point m, thence from spring L, see Figure 2, through wire 2, to the
electro-magnet C, from thence by wire 3, to the circuit closer D, at which point
a break in the circuit occurs, thence by wire 4, from the circuit closer E, back
to the battery. In case of a single battery being used, instead of separate
batteries for each circuit as shown in the drawing, all of the circuit closers E,
would be connected with one pole of the battery, and all of the contact posts M,
would be connected with the other pole of the battery.
It will thus be seen that the circuit through any one of the electro-magnets
may be closed by bringing the circuit closers of the circuit in which the par-
ticular magnet is contained, in contact with each other, the effect of which is to
energize the magnet, causing it to attract its armature, which, in moving toward
the pole of the inagnet, actuates the armature lever, and consequently the disc
carried thereby, as well as the contact spring L, which latter, by such action is
moved away from, so as to break contact with the post M, and hence open the
circuit at that point, thus de-magnetizing the magnet. The armature is then
instantly withdrawn from the pole of the magnet by its actuating spring, whether
such spring is due to the resiliency of the metal of which the armature lever is
composed or to the other well-known spring devices, which moves the spring L,
back into contact with the post M, thus re-establishing the circuit, and again
energizing the magnet which again attracts the armature and again breaks the
circuit in the manner before described. This operation will be rapidly repeated

page_text: as long as the circuit closers D, and E, are maintained in contact with each
other, it being substantially the same as that of the ordinary electric bell or
buzzer.
The rapid vibrations of the armature lever being imparted to the discs I, carried
thereby, will rapidly agitate and toss the cubical or prismatic bodies Ó, about
within their glass confines or casings until the circuit is broken, when the body will
come to rest upon the disc, with one face thereof, uppermost. Each face of the
object will have thereon, a sign of some character such as a letter, figure, picture
or other device, a set of dice being illustrated as a familiar and comprehensive
example of cubical bodies having signs upon all their faces.
All the dice or other cubical or other shaped objects of the series may be alike,
and have like signs on their several faces, and the purpose of the game may be to
bring the like faces of all the dice or other objects uppermost in a given number of
agitations, either by first agitating all of them simultaneously, and then afterward
successively agitating the odd ones, or in any other manner the ingenuity of the
players may suggest.
While I have shown and described the agitating discs as electrically operated, I
do not desire to limit my invention to such mode of operation, for the disc might
be operated mechanically as well as electrically by the push buttons and the
intermediary of an ordinary escapement wheel and pallet, or by simple levers
supporting or connected with the discs in a manner too well known to require
further description and illustration, and thus accomplish substantially the same
objects.
But with an electrical device, the vibrations are so rapid and the movement of
the armature arrested so suddenly at the limit of each stroke, as to impart to the
disc a quivering movement, which, while perfectly effective for tossing the dice
clear of its surface, does not cause the dice to be thrown violently against the
enclosing glass, as would be the case with a mechanical agitator, and this movement
is so rapid as to render it impossible to distinguish one face of the dice from
another. With the electrical device, moreover, any management or control of the
dice is entirely impossible, and all players operate the apparatus under exactly the
same conditions, for it goes without saying, that the electrical connection, if made
at all, will cause the disc to vibrate, and this vibration cannot be varied by any
manipulation of the push buttons, the only portions of the operating mechanism to
which the player has access.
It is also quite obvious that the cages or casings N, might be of any other shape
than that shown, and they might also be constructed of wire netting, or even of
some material quite opaque. In the latter event, however they would of course be
removable so as to disclose to view the positions of the game devices, or cubes.
I furthermore wish it to be understood that my invention contemplates the use of
a disc or support other than a mere flat plate, as the same may be provided with
pockets or sockets i, and if desired a spherical object o, placed thereon, as shown in
Figure 6, so that the vibration of the disc or support would dislodge the object
from one pocket and probably cast it into another, the pockets, of course, having
predetermined values.
as
'As before explained, the extra button S, is supplied more a matter of
convenience in manipulating all of the agitators simultaneously, rather than as an
absolute necessity, and I therefore wish it understood furthermore that my invention
is not limited to the employment of this additional button, but on the contrary any
series of agitators so arranged as to be capable of simultaneous manipulation, is
within the scope of my invention and patent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a game apparatus, the combination of a vibratory disc or discs, loose bodies
resting thereon, an electrically actuated vibratory device connected with and

page_text: operating said dises to impart rapid vibration to said loose bodies, substantially as
set forth.
2. In a game apparatus, the combination with a vibratory disc having a loose
body resting thereon of an electric buzzer upon whose armature lever said disc is
supported, substantially as set forth.
3. In a game apparatus, the combination with an electric buzzer having a spring
supported armature, of a disc supported on said armature and a movable body
confined upon said disc, substantially as set forth.
4. In a game apparatus, the combination of a series of independent dice
supporting and agitating discs or devices, and a corresponding series of independent
push buttons for operating said dice supporting and agitating devices, said push
buttons being arranged in the vicinity of each other, whereby they may be pushed
simultaneously or individually, substantially as set forth.
5. In a game apparatus, the combination of a series of vibratory discs or
supports, each having a loose body confined thereon, electric buzzers upon whose
armature levers said discs are respectively supported, and a series of independent
contacts for closing the circuit through said buzzers independently, and plurally or
collectively substantially as set forth.
6. In a game apparatus the combination of a series of vibratory discs or
supports, each having a loose body confined thereon devices for vibrating said
discs and means for actuating said devices simultaneously, substantially as set
forth.
7. In a game apparatus, the combination of a series of vibratory discs or
supports, each having a loose body confined thereon, electric buzzers connected
with said discs for vibrating the same, and a single contact for closing the circuits
through all of said buzzers simultaneously, substantially as set forth.
8. A game apparatus comprising a series of vibratory discs or supports each
having a loose body confined thereon, electric buzzers connected with said dises for
vibrating the same, and series of contacts for closing the circuit through said
buzzers, substantially as set forth.
9. A game apparatus, comprising a disc carried by the armature lever of an
electro-magnet, a source of electrical energy to said magnet, a movable circuit
closer, an interrupter or circuit making and breaking device carried by the
armature lever, a cubical or prismatic body having different signs upon its different
faces, and a transparent shell or casing enclosing said disc and body, substantially
as described.
10. A game apparatus, comprising a series of vibratory discs, each having a loose
body resting thereon and adapted to be agitated thereby, and enclosing cage or
shell for confining each of said bodies to certain limits, a device for vibrating each
of said discs separately, and a device for vibrating two or more of them simul-
taneously substantially as described.
11. A game apparatus, comprising a series of vibratory discs or supports, each
having a loose body confined thereon, electrical devices for vibrating said discs or
supports, a series of contacts for closing the circuit through said electrical devices
independently, and a contact for closing the circuit through two or more of said
electrical devices simultaneously, substantially as set forth.
12. A game apparatus, comprising a series of vibratory discs or supports, each
having a loose body confined thereon, an electro-magnet for causing the vibration
of each of said discs a series of floating circuit closers E, corresponding in number
to the number of said magnets, independently movable push buttons having circuit
closers D, one for each of said closers E, and a lever for simultaneously moving all
of said closers E, against the closers D, substantially as described.
Dated this 20th day of Santanchen 1000.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.