An Improved Coin-operated Shooting Gallery.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date claimed for Patent under sect. Too of ACL,
being date of first Foreign Application (in
United States of America),
31st Aug.,
1889
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 25th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 25th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 7th June, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Coin-operated Shooting Gallery.
I, ANDREW MCNAIR COYLE of 635, F Street Washington in the District of Columbia
United States of America, Mechanical Engineer 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 construction of coin-controlled mechanism or apparatus
which is set into operation by the deposit therein of a coin of determined value.
It has reference more particularly to what may be termed an automatic shooting-
gallery.
The object of the invention is to produce an apparatus which can be set in places
frequented by the public, and in which, the deposit of a coin puts the mechanism into
operative condition, whereby the user for the time being can fire one or more shots
at a target, which forms part of the apparatus.
The invention contemplates a further operation to take place when, by a successful
aim, the target is struck. This part of the invention is susceptible of infinite variation,
but it is preferred, with a view to rendering the apparatus more popular, and to offer
an inducement for skilful shooting, to arrange a prize delivery mechanism which is
operated when the target is struck.
This prize delivery mechanism is set into operation by the closing of an electric-
circuit, so that it is obvious that mechanism of another sort or description, adapted to
be set into operation by the closing of a circuit, could be substituted for the prize-
delivery mechanism without departing from the spirit of the invention.
The invention comprises a shooter such as a toy pistol, or any equivalent device
for discharging a projectile, and controlling mechanisin operated by the deposit of a
coin for putting the shooter into operation or operative condition, so that one or more
shots can be fired at the target when a coin of proper denomination has been
deposited.
The invention further comprises controlling mechanism of special construction, so
contrived that after the coin has been deposited the user can fire two (or a greater
number) of shots before the shooter again becomes inoperative. Preferably the
shooter is controlled by an electro-magnet whose circuit is closed by the weight of the
coin depressing a lever, which carries one of the contacts of this circuit. The said
lever, as herein shown, has an inclined way or passage along which the coin travels,
and mechanism is provided whereby the coin is permitted to traverse the passago step
by stop, as the successive shots are fired, falling off the lover after the last shot is
discharged and thereby permitting the lever to rise to its normal position. The rise
of the lever breaks the circuit controlling the operation of the shooter, which thereupon
becomes inoperative until another coin is inserted. The invention however is not
limited to these details.
It will be within the invention to provide the shooter, with any suitable locking
mechanism, adapted to be released by the insertion of a coin.

page_text: The invention further comprises connections between the target and the prize-
delivery mechanism, or its substitute whereby the latter is set into operation when the
former is struck by a projectile.
Here again it is preferred to employ an electro-magnet whose circuit is broken at
the target, and a contact maker which closes said contact, being actuated by the impact
of the projectile against the target.
It would be feasible to enclose the target in a glass case to prevent interference
therewith; for it is obvious that means must be provided to prevent the prize-delivery
mechanism being operated by striking against the target with the hand.
But it is
preferred to employ controlling mechanism for this purpose, and such mechanism
constitutes part of the present invention. As hereinafter described, the contact-maker
of the prize-delivery circuit is normally held in the position to keep the circuit open
by a magnet whose armature is attached to said contact-maker. When the trigger of
the shooter is pulled to discharge a projectile a magnet which holds the contact maker
is temporarily demagnetized by the breaking of its circuit, so that if the target be
struck at that instant the prize delivery mechanism will be actuated.
For greater precaution the circuit of the prize-delivery mechanism is also broken at
a point within the mounting of the shooter, and contacts are there so arranged that
the said circuit will be closed only while the shooter is aimed correctly, or with
approximate correctness, at the target. The invention includes other features,
details of construction, and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter
set forth.
In the accompanying drawings which form part of this specification, Figure 1 is a
longitudinal section, partly in elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance
with the invention. Figure 11 a plan view of parts within the box or casing,
Figure III is a sectional view of the pistol on a larger scale, and Figure IV is a
diagram illustrating the electric circuit wires and connections.
A represents an oblong box or case of wood having a hinged lid A' which is
fastened by a lock. On the lid are placed at one end the shooter B, and at the other
ond the upright frame C, which carries the target c, shown as a disc.
The shooter, as shown, is a spring pistol swivelled in the upper part 6 of a pedestal
so that it can oscillate in a vertical plane. The part is swivelled in the lower part b¹,
so that the former can turn in a horizontal plane. These two connections constitute
practically an universal joint, so that free aim can be taken with the pistol but the
range of its motion is so limited that, in any event, the shot must strike some part
of the target frame. This is a desirable precaution against injury by careless
shooting.
The pistol B has a mainspring D and a striker or plunger d which works in the
barrel of the pistol, and from which projects a tooth or catch d'. A. traveller E is
connected with the trigger F and carries a pivoted latch e, whose tooth e¹ will, when
the latch is tilted up at that end engage the tooth d' on striker d and carry the latter
back, compressing the mainspring. A shot or projectile is inserted in hole 2 in the
barrel of the pistol, and, when, by the retraction of the trigger, latch e reaches the
block 3 it is raised by the inclined end of the latter, releasing the striker and main-
spring and thus discharging the projectile.
A light spring 4 is placed under the latch e and normally raises that end, thus
keeping its tooth el out of the path of tooth d¹ of the striker. Consequently under
ordinary conditions the pistol is inoperative, for the retraction of the trigger does not
affect the main spring.
From spring 4 a cord 5 is led through the pistol mounting into the interior of the
box, and through this cord the spring 4 is depressed when a coin is inserted in the
coin slot 6 whereupon the latch è tilts by gravity bringing its tooth into position to
engage the striker. Thus the shooter is put into operative position. Following
the cord 5 it will be seen that the lower end is attached to one end of a lever which
carries at its other end the armature g' of a magnet G. The armature is retracted by
a light spring 7. The circuit wires 8 of this magnet are led through sufficient number

page_text: of cells of battery H (see Figure 4) to a mercury cup 10 and a contact point 11
between which the circuit is normally open. Contact point 11 is carried by a lever I
pivotted at i and having at one end a counterweight 12, which normally holds it in
the position shown in Figure 1. This lever, which is the coin-operated controlling
lever, has an inclined groove or passage which is immediately under coin chute K.
Consequently when a coin falls into this passage its weight depresses lever I, as
indicated in dotted lines Figure 1, closing the circuit of magnet G, which thereupon
attracts its armature, tilting lever g, which depresses spring 4 through cord 5, and
permits latch e to take the position necessary for the engagement with tooth don
striker d. It is evident that so long as lever I is thus depressed by the weight of a
coin, the shooter can be operated.
The lever I carries a spindle L journalled in bearings projected upwardly from
said lever, and spindle L is provided with a series of detents 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.
The detents 14, 16 and 18 normally project into the coin passage in position to arrest
the motion of the coin, while the detents 15 and 17 project obliquely to the coin.
passage. The coin as it falls into the coin passage is at once arrested by the first
detent 14 (see Figure IV).
Spindle L also carries an armature m which, when coin lever I is depressed, is brought
within the field of its magnet M. The circuit of this magnet is formed by wires 19
and 20. The former runs to the block 3 in the pistol B, said block being electrically
insulated from the metallic mounting of the pistol by a strip 21 of insulating material.
The other wire 20, after passing through the battery II' is led to the metallic mounting
of the pistol by the latch e in electrical connection with this mounting, so that when
the end of said latch touches block 3 on the retraction of the trigger to discharge a
shot, the circuit of the magnet M is closed and its armature attracted thereby turning the
spindle L sufficiently to withdraw detent 14 from the path of the coin, which is there-
upon carried forward in the coin passage by gravity but the motion of the spindle L
brings the next detent 15 into the path of the coin, and the latter is arrested thereby.
The closing of the circuit of magnet M is only momentary, for the user at once
releases the trigger for the purpose of firing another shot. Upon this the armature m
is returned to its normal position by the counter weight 24 on an arm 25 of the
spindle L, the detent 15 is withdrawn, and the coin advances until arrested by
detent 16. At the close of the second shot the same motions are repeated, the coin
advancing as far as detent 18; but as soon as this is withdrawn by the discharge of
the shooter for the third time, the coin falls off lever I into a receptacle arranged to
receive it, and said lever is at once returned to its normal position by the counter
weight 12, breaking the several contacts that were effected by the weight of the coin,
and removing the armature m from the field of its magnet M.
By the mechanism above described the deposit of a coin puts the shooter into
operative condition for the discharge of three shots. To provide for a greater or less
number for a single payment it is necessary only to vary the number of detents on
spindle L.
I will now proceed to describe the means whereby the striking of the target is
signalized automatically by setting other mechanism into operation, and whereby such
mechanism fails to respond in case the target is struck in an unauthorized manner.
N is the magnet whose circuit is closed by the striking of the target. As herein
shown this magnet is arranged to control a package-delivery apparatus of known con-
struction. It consists of a rotatable disc O, provided with a series of tubular discs
chambers o adapted to pass in succession over a discharge orifice o'. The power to
rotate this disc is furnished by a coil spring o², and it is controlled by an escapement
wheel P and escapement lever P, the latter being attached to and actuated by the
arinature n of magnet N. The circuit of this magnet may be traced by wire 30
(Figure IV) to the battery H2, thence by wire 31 to the contact strip 32 behind the
target, where the circuit is normally open; thence by contact-maker and wire 33 to
the contact point 34 carried by lever I, where another break in the circuit occurs.

page_text: From mercury cup 36, into which this contact point dips when the lever I is
depressed by a coin, the circuit proceeds by wire 37 to a fixed contact 38 inside the
pistol mounting where a third break in the circuit occurs. From the corresponding
movable contact 39 carried by the part of the pedestal, the circuit continues by
wire 40 back to magnet N. The movable contact 39 touches fixed contact 38 only
when the piston is aimed with approximate correctness at the target. Unless this
occurs, though the circuit be closed at the other two normally open points, the package
delivery disc will not operate.
Moreover to close the circuit at the mercury cup 36 a coin must be on the
lever 1.
It only remains to be shown under what conditions the circuit will bo closed at the
third break, namely that behind the target.
Contact inaker is a pivoted lever. Its upper end rests against or close to the
back of the target or bull's-eye c and if the contact maker were free a sudden stroko
on the target would throw it over against strip 32, where it would remain until
restored to its normal position. The lower end of party carries the armaturer of a
small magnet R and it will be seen that so long as the circuit of this magnet is closed,
its energy will keep the contact maker off its anvil strip 32. The circuit of magnet R
(see Figure IV) is by wire 42 to mercury cup 43, thence by contact point 44 and
wire 45 to battery H³ and thence by wire 46 back to magnet R. Contact point 44 is
carried by the arm 25 of spindle L already described. When the lever I is depressed
by a coin, the circuit of magnet R is closed, and it holds contact maker away from
contact strip 32. When, however, by the retraction of the trigger the circuit of M is
momentarily closed, and spindle I turned, as already described, the arm 25 is lifted,
raising contact point 44 out of its mercury cup, and thus breaking the circuit of
magnet R, which is again closed as soon as the trigger is released. When this
occurs magnet R attracts its armature, withdrawing contact maker 9 from its
anvil 32.
Thus during a very brief period, commencing the instant a projectile is discharged
from the shooter, contact maker q is free from the control of its magnet and if the
projectile, at this instant discharged, strikes the target c, the force of the blow will
throw the contact maker into contact with strip 32, the circuit of the magnet N will
be completely closed, and the delivery mechanism will rotate one step for the delivering
of an article through the orifico o¹.
It will be observed that the attraction of the armature m by its magnet M, which
occurs when the trigger is discharged and drawn back, has two effects, namely, it
permits the coin to advance one step through the coin passage, and it releases contact
maker q from the control of its magnet.
It will be obvious from what has already been said, that the invention is not limited to
details of construction but could be embodied in mechanism different from what has
been herein described, and that parts of the apparatus could be used without the
whole if so desired.
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. The combination with a shooting device for discharging a projectile, of coin-
operated controlling mechanism therefor, substantially as described.
2. The combination with a shooter mounted on a suitable case, of a coin-operated
lever within said case, and connecting mechanism between said lever and shooter,
substantially as specified, whereby the latter can be operated when the former is
depressed by a coin, as set forth.
3. In a toy shooting gallery, the combination, with a shooter mounted on a case
which carries also a target, of a coin operated lever within said case, an electric
circuit closed by the depression of said lever a magnet in said circuit, and connections

page_text: between the armature of said magnet and the discharging mechanism of the shooter
whereby the latter is rendered operative when said magnet is energized by the closing
of its circuit substantially as described.
4. The combination with a shooter, of a coin operated controlling lever therefor,
said lever being provided with a coin passage, a series of detents for arresting at
intervals the progress of the coin through said passage, and means, operated
electrically by the motions of the trigger for removing said detents seriatim from the
path of the coin, substantially as described.
5. The combination of the main spring of the shooting device, the striker having a
tooth, a pivotted latch adapted in one position to engage said tooth, a carrier for
said latch operated by the trigger, a spring normally keeping the latch out of contact
with said tooth, a coin operated lever, and connections between the same and said
spring, whereby the deposit of a coin releases the latch and permits it to engage said
tooth to retract the striker, substantially as described.
6. The combination with the shooter, of the coin operated controlling lever
provided with an inclined coin passage, an electric circuit, contacts actuated by said
lever for closing said circuit, an electro magnet in said circuit, an armature for
said magnet connected as specified with the operative mechanism of the shooter, a
series of detents for arresting at intervals the motion of the coin through the
inclined coin passage, an electro magnet for removing the detents, and a circuit
for said last named magnet adapted to be closed by the motions of the trigger
substantially as described.
7. The combination of the shooting device connected with its supports by an
universal joint, a target, an electric circuit, and a contact maker adapted to close
said circuit when the target is struck by a projectile from said shooting device,.
substantially as described.
8. The combination of a shooting device mounted on a suitable caso,
coin operated
controlling mechanism therefor in said case, a target frame and target also supported
on said case, a contact maker enclosed in target frame, and adapted to be shifted
when the target is struck, and an electric circuit in said caso normally open at
said contact maker, substantially as described.
9. The combination of a shooting device on a suitable case, a coin operated
controlling lever in said case, a target on said case, a contact maker normally resting
against the rear of the target and inclosed in the target frame, an electric circuit
normally open at said contact maker and contacts included in said circuit one of
which is carried by said controlling lever substantially as described.
10. The combination of the shooter, the target, the package delivery mechanism,
and electric circuits and connections, whereby the delivery mechanism is actuated by
the striking of the target, substantially as described.
11. The combination of the shooter, the coin operated controlling mechanism
therefor, the target, the package delivery mechanism an electric circuit and a contact
maker in said circuit adapted to close the same when the target is struck, substantially
as described.
12. The combination of the shooter, the target, an electric circuit, a contact maker
therein normally resting against the rear of the target, a magnet for holding the
contact maker away from its anvil contact, and electrical contacts and connections as
specified, whereby the circuit of the last named is broken and the contact maker
momentarily released when the trigger of the shooter is released to discharge a
projectile, substantially as described.
13. The combination of the shooter the coin operated controlling lever therefor, a
target, an electric circuit having a contact maker adapted to close by a blow against
the target, a movable contact in said circuit carried by said coin lever, an electric
circuit and magnet controlling the contact maker, said circuit being also closed by
said coin lever, a third circuit adapted to be closed by the retraction of the trigger,
a magnet in the last named circuit adapted to be closed by the retraction of and an
armature therefor connected with a contact in the circuit of the magnet controlling

page_text: said contact maker, and acting to open said circuit momentarily and release the
contact maker when the trigger is drawn to discharge a projectile at the target,
substantially as described.
14. The combination of the shooter mounted on an universal joint, the target,
an electric circuit normally open at a point behind said target, a contact maker
adapted to close said circuit upon the striking of the target, and contacts in said
circuit arranged within the mounting of the shooter, and disposed so as to close
the circuit when the shooter is brought in line with the target, substantially as
described.
Dated this 25th day of March 1890