Arcade game

• US 5,292,127 A
• Filed: 10/02/1992
• Issued: 03/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lazer-Tron Corporation, Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Lazer-Tron Corporation
• Inventors: Oltmann, J. Richard, Kelly, Matthew F., Petermeier, Norman B., Kelly, Bryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US07/956,057
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 273/85 G, 273/118 R, 273/118 A, 273/118 D, 273/123 R, 273/123 A, 273/138 R, 273/142 R, 273/142 B
• US Class Current: 273/118.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/0052 with a playstation for each participant, each with a separate playing field
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 5/045 using a rotating wheel and a fixed indicator, e.g. fortune wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0058 electric A63F7/027, A63F7/3065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Claims

1. A multi-station game apparatus comprising:

a plurality of individual game units, where each game unit is capable of dispensing awards based upon a skilled operation performed by a player of said game unit, wherein said individual game units include a playing surface, a first end and a second end, target means proximate said second end, and a playing piece capable of being directed towards said target means; and

a progressive bonus apparatus coupled to said plurality of game units and operative to accumulate a progressive score based upon contributions from said plurality of game units and further operative to provide a bonus award based upon said progressive score to a player of an individual unit when said player accomplishes a predetermined task.

2. A multi-station game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said individual game units include wheel means responsive to said target means and operative to rotate in a predetermined way when said target means receives said playing piece.

3. A multi-station game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said award dispensed by said individual game units consists of a non-monetary award.

4. A multi-station game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said progressive score includes the sum of said contributions from said plurality of game units.

5. A multi-station game apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined task that said player accomplishes to receive said bonus award includes accomplishing a predetermined result a plurality of times.