Grid skill amusement game or dispensing device

• US 6,315,157 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Benchmark Games International LLC
• Original Assignee: Benchmark Entertainment L.C.
• Inventors: Halliburton, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bollinger, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/321,578
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 221/87, 221/88, 221/123, 221/133, 273/448
• US Class Current: 221/87
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/163 characterised by blocking access to the output bins
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/22 for cleaning and polishing boots or shoes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

A coin operated device for the distribution of items includes a target array of tubular members containing items. A ram attached to and extending from a support member. The support member providing for movement of the ram within a plane. The ram is employed to force the items from the selected tubular member of the target array.

Claims

1. A coin operated device for the distribution of items comprising:

a target array;

a ram attached to and extending from a support member, said support member providing for movement of said ram within a plane located outside said target array;

first means to move said ram in said plane and second means to move said ram in a direction perpendicular to said plane and toward said target array to apply a driving force to said ram in a linear direction perpendicular and away from said plane; and

a control system for the alignment of said ram in said plane opposite said target array;

a control system for the alignment of said ram in said plane opposite said target array and

said target array further comprises;

tubular members having front openings;

rear openings; and

a radial dimension and said ram has a radial dimension smaller than said radial dimension of said tubular members which enables said ram to be received within said tubular and to exert a driving force on objects contained within said tubular members.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said openings of said tubular members define a plane oriented in a vertical direction.

3. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the said tubular members comprise:

members having different radial dimensions.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a timer, wherein said timer controls a predetermined time interval when said input to said motors may be provided by said operator to orient said ram in said plane opposite said target array.

5. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubular members further comprise:

a front opening;

a rear opening; and

retention means to retain an item from exiting said rear opening unless a predetermined force is applied to said item.

6. The device as recited in claim 5 wherein said retention means comprises a spring biased member.

7. The device as recited in claim 5 wherein said retention means comprises a frictional force between said item and said tubular member.

8. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubular members are cylindrical and an axial section of said head of said ram is circular.

13. The device as recited in claim 6 wherein said control means to alter said radial dimension is controlled by said central processing unit and the extent of said movement in said dimension is dependant on the location of said in said ram with respect to said planar grid.

9. A coin operated device for the distribution of items comprising:

a target array;

a ram attached to and extending from a support member, said support member providing for movement of said ram within a plane located outside said target array;

first means to move said ram in said plane and second means to move said ram in a direction perpendicular to said plane and toward said target array to apply a driving force to said ram in a linear direction perpendicular and away from said plane; and

a control system for the alignment of said ram in said plane opposite said target array;

a control system for the alignment of said ram in said plane opposite said target array and

said target array further comprises;

pressure activated switches wherein said ram engages said pressure activated switches.

10. A coin operated device comprising a ram and a plurality of targets, a first motor to move said ram in a first linear direction, a second motor to move said ram in a second linear direction, said second linear direction perpendicular to said first linear direction, said first and second linear directions forming a planar grid, and a third motor to move said ram in a third linear direction perpendicular to said planar grid, a controller to control the movement of said first and said second motor, said targets surrounded by annular end walls and said ram having a radial dimension less than the radial dimension of said annular end walls, wherein said controller is responsive to input by an operator and can be positioned in a selected location in said planar grid.

11. The device as recited in claim 10 wherein said ram further comprises means to alter the radial dimension of said ram.

12. The device as recited in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of spring biased ribs extending in a radial direction from an axis defined by said ram, a head which engages said ribs, and a motor for driving said head in an axial direction, wherein said axial motion of said head is translated to said ribs causing said ribs to move in a radial direction.

14. The skill amusement device recited in claim 10 further comprising endless drive belts.

15. The coin operated device for the distribution of items comprising a ram and a plurality of tubular members, a first motor to move said ram in a first linear direction, a second motor to move said ram in a second linear direction, said second linear direction perpendicular to said first linear direction, said first and second linear directions forming a planar grid, and a third motor to move said ram in a third linear direction perpendicular with said planar grid, a controller to control the movement of said first and said second motor, said tubular members having annular end walls and said ram having an axial dimension less than the axial dimension of said annular end walls, wherein said controller comprises a keypad responsive to input by an operator and said input corresponds to a plurality of preselected precise coordinates in planar grid each said coordinates corresponding to positions directly opposite said tubular members.

16. A coin actuated dispensing device comprising

a plurality of tubular members defining an upright planar array,

a ram secured to a first endless belt, said first endless drive train driven by a first motor to provide for movement of said ram in a first linear direction in a second plane parallel with said planar array, said ram said first endless belt and said first motor secured to a first member,

said first member attached to a second endless drive train, said second endless drive train driven by a second motor to provide for movement of said member in a second linear direction in said second plane, said second endless belt and said motor secured to a second member,

said second member attached a third endless drive train, said third endless drive train driven by a third motor to provide for linear movement of said ram, said first member and said in a third direction perpendicular to said second plane.

17. A coin actuated dispensing device comprising

a plurality of tubular members defining an upright planar array,

a ram,

control means for moving said ram,

means to move said said ram in a first linear direction in a second plane parallel with said planar array, means to move said ram in a second linear direction in said second plane,

mean to move said ram in a third linear direction perpendicular with said second plane in a direction toward said upright planar array.