Amusement device

• US 4,718,667 A
• Filed: 10/28/1985
• Issued: 01/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen P. Shoemaker Jr
• Original Assignee: Stephen P. Shoemaker Jr
• Inventors: Shoemaker, Stephen P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shapiro, Paul E.
• Application Number:
  US06/791,687
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1 GC, 273/1 GG, 273/138 A, 273/1 E, 273/148 B, 33/1 M, 212/214, 212/271, 221/210
• US Class Current: 273/448
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2407 Joystick
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2408 Touch-sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/142 with pay-out or rewarding with a prize
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/30 Capturing games for grabbing or trapping objects, e.g. fishing games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

An amusement device in which a player controls positioning of a mechanical pick-up device such as a claw having pincers or fingers which can be closed over an object to be retrieved. The grasping claw is positioned within a housing on the floor of which various objects are placed for retrieval by players. The claw is attached to an overhead transport mechanism which is driven by various external controls to position the claw anywhere in the housing. Once a chosen position over an object is reached the claw is lowered automatically and can be stopped and closed by the player in an attempt to grasp the object. when the claw is closed it is automatically raised back to its uppermost position and returned to a home position over a chute for delivering any retrieved object to the player.

Claims

1. An amusement device for retrieval of prize items by a player, comprising:

a housing having a floor over which prize items can be distributed and delivery means for delivering items to a player;

pick up means for picking up items from the floor of the housing;

a transport mechanism on which the pick up means is mounted, including horizontal transport means for transporting the pick up means in a horizontal plane above the floor area between a start position above the delivery means and a chosen horizontal location in the housing, and vertical transport means for moving the pick up means vertically up and down at a chosen horizontal location between a raised position and a lowered position at the level of underlying prize items;

control means for controlling operation of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms, the control means including player controlled means for control of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms; and

the player controlled means including means for controlling the horizontal direction of travel of the pick up means, means for controlling the vertical position at which the pick up means is actuated to attempt to pick up a prize, and means for controlling actuation of the pick up means to attempt to pick up a prize, the control means including means for automatically returning the pick up means to the start position when the pick up means is actuated.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the player controlled means includes means for controlling the speed of travel of the pick up device.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means includes means for automatically actuating the vertical transport means after a predetermined time period has expired to move the pick up device downwards, and the player controlled means includes means for stopping the downward movement of the pick up device at a chosen vertical location.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has opposite side walls and front and rear walls defining the horizontal area of play, and the horizontal transport mechanism comprises and X direction drive means for controlling movement of the pick up device between the opposite side walls of the housing and Y direction drive means for controlling movement of the pick up device between the front and rear walls of the housing, each of the drive means including reversible motors for driving the pick up device in the respective directions, and the player controlled means including means for controlling the drive direction of the X and Y direction motors.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical transport mechanism includes a carriage, means for lowering the pick up device from the carriage, and means for holding the pick up device firmly against the carriage against movement relative to the carriage during horizontal travel of the pick up device and carriage.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for lowering the pick up device comprises a reversible pulley drive mechanism mounted on the carriage and a line suspending the pick up device from the pulley drive mechanism, the pulley drive mechanism comprising a pulley and means for rotating the pulley in opposite directions under the control of the control means to unwind the line from the pulley to lower the pick up device and to wind the line onto the pulley to raise the pick up device until it is stopped and held against the carriage in the raised position, the horizontal transport mechanism comprising means for transporting the carriage and raised pick up device in the horizontal plane.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal transport mechanism comprises a square frame rigidly mounted around the inner walls of the housing surrounding the playing area above the horizontal plane of transport, a first slide rod extending between and slidably mounted on a first two opposite sides of the frame and a second slide rod extending between the slidably mounted on the other two opposite sides of the frame and crossing over the first slide rod, means for slidably mounting the pick up device on the first and second slide rods at their cross over point such that movement of each of the rods causes the pick up device to slide on the other rod, first drive means for moving the first slide rod between said other two opposite sides of the frame, and second drive means for moving the second slide rod between the first two opposite sides of the frame.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second drive means each comprise reversible pulley drive mechanisms mounted on the inner walls of the housing above the play area.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the player controlled means includes a lever for controlling the horizontal direction of travel of the pick up device, a stop button for controlling stopping of the pick up device during its descent towards the floor of the play area, a speed control button for controlling the speed of travel of the pick up device, and a pick up device button for actuating the pick up device to attempt to pick up a prize.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the control means includes means for detecting deposit of a predetermined coin in the device, means for enabling player control of the horizontal movement of the pick up means for a predetermined time period after deposit of a coin, means for cutting off player control of the horizontal movement after expiry of the predetermined time period, means for initiating descent of the pick up device after player control of horizontal movement has been cut off, and means for automatically returning the pick up means to the home position and releasing any picked up prize after the pick up device has been actuated.

11. The device as claimed in claim 1, further including an audio system for playing a predetermined sequence of sound effects during each game sequence, the control means further comprising means for controlling the audio system.

12. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a programmable controller and means for controlling the controller according to stored program instructions and player operation of the device to produce predetermined game sequence control signals for controlling operation of the transport means.

13. An amusement device comprising:

a housing having an inner play area with a floor over which prizes can be deposited and delivery means for delivery of prizes to a player;

pick up means for attempting to pick up prizes from the floor of the play area;

pick up actuator means for actuating the pick up means;

a transport mechanism on which the pick up means is mounted, including a horizontal transport means for transporting the pick up means in a horizontal plane over the entire floor area between a home position above the delivery means and a chosen horizontal location, and a vertical transport means for moving the pick up means vertically up and down at the chosen horizontal location between a raised position in the horizontal plane and a lowered position at the lever of underlying prizes;

control means for controlling operation of the horizontal and vertical transport means according to a predetermined game sequence, the control means including externally operated player control means for player control of the horizontal and vertical transport means during predetermined time periods in the game sequence;

the player control means comprising means for controlling the direction of travel of the pick up means in the horizontal plane during a first time period of the game sequence, means for controlling the vertical transport mechanism during a second time period of the game sequence to stop the pick up means at a chosen vertical location, and means for controlling actuation of the pick up means in attempting to pick up a prize.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control means further comprises means for automatically actuating the pick up device after expiry of a second predetermined time period after initiation of the descent of the pick up device.

15. An amusement device control system for controlling operation of a prize retrieval game in which a pick up device is operated by a player in an attempt to retrieve prizes within an enclosed play area, the system including:

means for initiating a predetermined game sequence on player deposit of a predetermined token;

means for enabling a player control means for controlling horizontal travel of the pick up device for a predetermined time period after initiation of the game sequence;

means for automatically lowering the pick up device towards a playing floor after expiry of the predetermined time period;

means for enabling a player to stop the pick up device at any chosen position while it is being lowered;

means for enabling a player to actuate the pick up device to attempt to pick up a prize during a second predetermined time period after lowering of the pick up device is initiated;

means for automatically actuating the pick up device after expiry of the second predetermined time period;

means for automatically returning the pick up device to a home position after automatic or player initiated actuation of the pick up device; and

means for delivering any picked up prize to the player.

16. An amusement device, comprising:

a housing having opposite front and rear walls and opposite side walls defining an inner play area, the housing having a horizontal floor for distribution of prizes in the play area and a window on its front wall for player viewing of the play area;

the floor having an opening for delivery of prizes to a player;

a pick up device mounted in the play area comprising means for attempting to pick up prizes from the floor of the play area;

pick up device actuator means for actuation of the pick up device in attempts to pick up prizes;

a horizontal transport mechanism for transporting the pick up device in a horizontal plane above the play area floor, comprising a carriage on which the pick up device is suspended, X direction transport means for moving the carriage between the opposite side walls of the housing, and Y direction transport means for moving the carriage between the front and rear walls of the housing;

a vertical transport mechanism mounted on the carriage for lowering and raising the pick up device from the carriage between a raised position in which it is held firmly against the carriage and a lowered position in which it is at the level of prizes on the play area floor; and

control means for controlling operation of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanism and the pick up device actuator means, the control means including player operable controls for controlling the direction of the X and Y direction transport means within a predetermined control period to transport the carriage to a chosen horizontal position, and for stopping the descent of the pick up device and controlling actuation of the pick up device.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the X and Y transport means and the vertical transport mechanism each comprise a reversible drive motor, a pulley mechanism and clutch means for operatively connecting the motor to the pulley mechanism.

18. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the X and Y transport means comprise respective slide rods, one of the slide rods extending between the opposite side walls of the housing for sliding movement between the front and rear walls of the housing and the other rod extending between the front and rear walls of the housing for sliding movement between the side walls of the housing, and X and Y reversible drive means connected to the respective slide rods for driving them in opposite directions between the respective walls of the housing, the carriage being slidably mounted on each of the rods at the cross over point of the rods.

19. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the X and Y direction player operated control comprises a toggle lever movable in eight directions corresponding to eight horizontal directions of travel of the carriage, and switches associated with the lever for controlling the direction of the X and Y reversible drive means.

20. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pick up device is a claw movable between an open position and a closed position in which any prize within the claw is gripped.

21. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the control means includes means for automatically operating the vertical drive mechanism each time the pick up device is actuated to raise the pick up device to the carriage and hold the pick up device against the carriage during transport of the carriage in the horizontal plane back to a home position.

22. An amusement device for retrieval of prize items by a player, comprising:

a housing having a floor over which prize items can be distributed and delivery means for delivering items to a player;

pick up means for picking up items from the floor of the housing;

a transport mechanism on which the pick up means is mounted, including horizontal transport means for transporting the pick up means in a horizontal plane above the floor area between a start position above the delivery means and a chosen horizontal location in the housing, and vertical transport means for moving the pick up device up and down at a chosen horizontal location between a raised position and a lowered position at the level of underlying prize items; and

control means for controlling operation of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms, the control means including means for automatically actuating the vertical transport means after a predetermined time period has expired to move the pick up means downwards, and player controlled means for player control of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms including means for stopping the downward movement of the pick up means at a chosen vertical location.

23. An amusement device for retrieval of prize items by a player, comprising:

a housing having a floor over which prize items can be distributed and delivery means for delivering items to a player;

pick up means for picking up items from the floor of the housing;

a transport mechanism on which the pick up means is mounted, including horizontal transport means for transporting the pick up means in a horizontal plane above the floor area between a start position above the delivery means and a chosen horizontal location in the housing, and vertical transport means for moving the pick up device up and down at a chosen horizontal location between a raised position and a lowered position at the level of underlying prize items; and

control means for controlling operation of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms, the control means including player controlled means for player control of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanisms;

the player controlled means including a lever for controlling the horizontal direction of travel of the pick up device, a stop button for controlling stopping of the pick up device during its descent towards the floor of the play area, a speed control button for controlling the speed of travel of the pick up device, and a pick up device button for actuating the pick up device to attempt to pick up a prize.

24. An amusement device, comprising:

a housing having opposite front and rear walls and opposite side walls defining an inner play area, the housing having a horizontal floor for distribution of prizes in the play area and a window on its front wall for player viewing of the play area;

the floor having an opening for delivery of prizes to a player;

a pick up device mounted in the play area comprising means for attempting to pick up prizes from the floor of the play area;

pick up device actuator means for actuation of the pick up device in attempts to pick up prizes;

a horizontal transport mechanism for transporting the pick up device in a horizontal plane above the play area floor, comprising a carriage on which the pick up device is suspended, X direction transport means for moving the carriage between the opposite side walls of the housing, and Y direction transport means for moving the carriage between the front and rear walls of the housing;

a vertical transport mechanism mounted on the carriage for lowering and raising the pick up device from the carriage between a raised position and a lowered position in which it is at the level of prizes on the play area floor;

the X and Y transport means and vertical transport mechanism each comprising a reversible drive motor, a pulley mechanism and clutch means for operatively connecting the motor to the pulley mechanism; and

control means for controlling operation of the horizontal and vertical transport mechanism and the pick up device actuator means, the control means including player operable controls for controlling the direction of the X and Y direction transport means within a predetermined control period to transport the

carriage to a chosen horizontal position, and for stopping the descent of the pick up device and controlling actuation of the pick up device.