GB2081828A - Game devices; indexing mechanism for stopping disc - Google Patents

Abstract

An amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia- bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed (see also GB-A-2,069,657) but the present application particularly concerns an indexing mechanism 70 having a stop member 140 which enters one of a series of notches 36 in the circumference of a disc 34 to stop the disc and thereby an associated reel. Mechanism 70 has an elongated slide arm 146 slidable in opposite directions along a path generally tangential to the circumference of the disc 34 (see arrow 198), and a pivot arm 170 pivotable on arm 146 and carrying the stop member 140. A latch member 182 engageable with pivot arm 170 is releasable by energisation of coil 188 to allow pivot arm to move towards disc 34. The mechanism has springs to cushion shock on engagement of member 140 and disc 34. A reset arm 232 is operable by a solenoid to reset arm 170 to its latched condition. <IMAGE>

Description

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SPECIFICATION

Gaining apparatus having manually controllable operating speed

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The present invention generally relates to amusement or game devices, and more particularly to game devices of the type which have one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated in 10 response to the pulling of an operating handle and which are subsequently stopped at the completion of a play.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for stopping a rotatable 15 reel of the type that is used in an amusement or game device and which has at least one associated circular disc with a plurality of recessed notches positioned along the circumference thereof, said notches being adapted to receive a stop memberfor 20 stopping rotation of the disc and reel, said apparatus comprising: mounting means for attaching said apparatus to a frame structure of said game device; index arm means movably attached to said mounting means and having a portion located immediately 25 adjacent the circumference of said disc, said portion being movable in opposite directions from a rest position along a path that is generally tangent to the circumference of said disc at the location where said stop member engages a notch; means for biasing 30 said index arm means so that said portion is biased toward said rest position; pivot arm means attached to said portion of said index arm means and being pivotable relative thereto, said pivot arm means carrying said stop member which engages one of 35 said notches when said pivot arm means is pivoted toward said disc; means for biasing said pivot arm means toward said disc; latch means carried by said index arm means for retaining said pivot arm means out of engagement with said disc and for releasing 40 said pivot arm means when operated; means for operating said latch means to release said index arm means in response to activation thereof.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an amusement or game device that 45 has a frame structure and is of the type that has at least one rotatable reel and a fixedly connected disc with a plurality of notches therein which are adapted to receive a stop member for stopping rotation of the reel and disc, and that further comprises apparatus - 50 for carrying the stopping member and for moving it into one of the notches in response to activation thereof comprising a mounting plate for attachment to the frame structure of said device, and an elongated indexing means having a pivotable arm 55 attached to one end portion thereof, with the pivotable arm carrying the stop member and being biased toward said disc, the other end of the indexing means being slidably connected to said mounting plate, the indexing means including bias-60 ing means for biasing it toward its rest position, the indexing means being slidable in opposite directons from said rest position along a path generally tangent to said disc periphery at the location where said stop member enters one of said notches, said 65 indexing means including a latch means for holding said pivotable arm away from said notches and for releasing the same to stop the rotation of the disc, said indexing means biasing means being effective to absorb shock in either direction during said stopping.

Amusement or game devices of the type which have at least one indicia-bearing rotatable reels, and preferably at least three of such reels have been in existence for decades and have been the subject of considerable research and development in recent years due to the increased popularity of such devices coupled with changes in basic technology, and particularly the incorporation of electronic technology in such devices. This type of game device was originally a mechanical device and then evolved into an electromechanical device in its operation. However, whether it was only mechanical or electromechanical there has been a common characteristic in the nature of the operation of these devices and that has been that the player pulling a handle which initiates the spinning of the reels has resulted in the reels being subjected to a rotation initiating force that has been generally constant, which meant that the initial speed of rotation or angular velocity that is imparted to the reels has been constant regardless of the speed of pulling or force applied to the operating handle. With the incorporation of electrical components into the devices, such as using an electric or stepping motor for initiating rotation which was also activated by pulling the operating handle, the initial speed imparted to the reels also remained constant and independent of the force applied to the operating handle by a player.

While players often believe that there is a technique in being able to successfully play the game device, they may be unaware that the speed in which the handle is pulled is actually quite independent of the speed that is imparted to the reels, since the various mechanical mechanisms that have been designed merely result in energy being stored in a spring which is released when the handle is pulled through its entire stroke. It is believed that the game devices which contribute to the feeling that the player is at least partially controlling the operation of the device is a very appealing feature for such game devices and has much to do with the popularity of a game device of this type.

Our Patent Application No. 8102301, out of which the present application is divided, claims an apparatus and a mechanism which can be used for driving the reels of a game device of the aforementioned type at a speed which is proportional, at least between limits, to the force applied to the operating handle by the player. This can result in relatively faster rotation of the reels during operation than usual hitherto. The present invention is particularly convenient for stopping such faster rotating reels.

An amusement or game device embodying the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front and left sides of a substructure of the amusement or game device and particularly illustrates the supplemental drive mechanism,

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Figure 2 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of the amusement or game device, and particularly illustrates the main drive mechanism;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the right side of the 5 game device shown in Figures 1 and 2, and particularly illustrates the main drive mechanism with the main drive mechanism being shown in a latched and unengaged position;

Figure 4 is another side elevation, similar to Figure 10 3, and particularly illustrates the main drive mechanism in its initial position of engagement before the operating handle has moved the mechanism;

Figure 5 is a side elevation, similar to Figures 3 and 4, and particularly illustrates the main drive 15 mechanism at the position where the handle has been pulled substantially through its entire stroke;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a modification of a portion of the main drive mechanism and particularly illustrates the mechanism during initial engage-20 ment;

Figure 7 is a main view of the apparatus shown in Figure 6 as taken generally along the line 7-7 thereof;

Figure 8 is a side elevation with portions shown in cross section of a representative means for stopping 25 one of the rotatable reels and particularly illustrates the same in its latched or disengaged position;

Figure 9 is another side elevation similar to that shown in Figure 8 and particularly illustrates the stopping mechanism in its engaged position, im-30 mediately after engagement when the rotational indicia has extended the stopping mechanism in the direction of rotation;

Figure 10 is yet another side elevation of the stopping means and is similar to Figure 8, and 35 particularly illustrates the stopping mechanism immediately after stopping when reaction has caused the mechanism to be moved in an opposite direction relative to that shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of a portion of 40 the stopping means of Figure 8 and is taken generally along the line 11-11 thereof;

Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of substantially all of the components of the stopping mechanism shown in Figures 8-11;

45 Figure 13 is a side elevation ofthe left side of the apparatus embodying the present invention and particularly illustrates the supplemental drive mechanism, with the same being shown in the disengaged and ready position;

50 Figure 14 is an enlarged side elevation ofthe supplemental drive mechanism shown in Figure 13 with portions removed for the sake of clarity and particularly illustrates the supplemental drive mechanism in a position where it is unlatched and 55 engaged, but before full activation;

Figure 15 is another side elevation ofthe supplemental drive apparatus similar to that shown in Figures 13 and 14, but illustrating the mechanism immediately upon completion of operation whereby 60 it is being substantially relatched but not returned to its ready position;

Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view ofthe major components ofthe supplemental drive mechanism shown in Figures 13-15 and particularly 65 including a slight modification of a portion ofthe apparatus thereof;

Figure 17 is a side view ofthe modification ofthe supplemental drive mechanism shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a bottom view ofthe modification 70 shown in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a top plan view of a portion ofthe apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 and particularly illustrates the excessive energy absorbing mechanism shown together with the main drive mechanism 75 thereof;

Figure 20 is a front view ofthe major components ofthe excessive energy absorbing mechanism. *

Figure 21 is an end view of the mechanism shown -in Figure 20 and is taken generally from the left end 80 thereof;

Figure 22 is an enlarged cross sectional view ofthe excessive energy absorbing mechanism shown in Figures 19 and 20 and is taken generally along the line 22-22 of Figure 20;

85 Figure 23 is an exploded perspective view, with portions removed, ofthe mechanism shown in Figure 20;

Figure 24 is another exploded perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 19, with portions 90 removed;

Figure 25 is a side elevation ofthe mechanism which provides a slight holding force for holding the reels after the game device has been enabled, but before the reels have been rotated and is shown in 95 its latched or disengaged position;

Figure 26 is a side elevation ofthe mechanism shown in Figure 25 and particularly illustrates the mechanism in its unlatched and engaged position; and,

100 Figure 27 is a cross sectional view ofthe mechanism shown in Figure 26 and is taken generally along the line 27-27 thereof.

The described example ofthe present invention comprises an amusement or game device which is 105 of the type which has a number, preferably at least three rotatable reels, each of which has symbols or other indicia on the outer periphery thereof that are viewed by a player and which provide an indication of a winning combination such as when a combina-110 tion of identical symbols appear in a viewing window upon completion of a play, i.e., after the game device has been started and the reels have been stopped after a period of spinning or rotation. The game device described includes several unique 115 mechanisms that result from a basic principal of operation that sets the described game device apart from conventional prior art game devices, namely, that the speed of rotation ofthe reels upon initiation of play is determined by the player and is in fact a 120 function of the speed with which the player pulls the operating handle, provided the speed is within predetermined limits as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Turning initially to Figures 1 and 2, a substructure 125 30 is shown which includes three separate reels 32, which show indicia on their outer periphery for viewing by a player. Each ofthe reels 32 also has fixedly attached thereto a relatively flat disc 34 having a plurality of notches 36 located along the 130 outer edge generally equally spaced around the

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circumference ofthe disc. The discs also include a number of apertures 38 which are used to decode the resulting position of each of the reels 32 upon completion of play to determine if a winning com-5 bination has occurred. The discs 34 are attached to the reels 32 and the reels 32 are carried by a common shaft 40 that extends outwardly beyond the left and right substructure side plates 42 and 44 as shown. The reels are provided with one way rota-10 tional clutch bearings (not shown) which enable each ofthe reel and disc combinations to be driven in the drive rotational direction, but which are free to rotate relative to the shaft in the opposite direction. Thus, once the drive shaft 40 has been driven to 15 initiate rotation ofthe reels, it can be stopped and the reels will continue to rotate until they are individually or collectively stopped even though the drive shaft 40 may have been previously stopped or substantially slowed in its rotation. The shaft 40 is 20 suitably journaled in bearings in the sides 42 and 44 and the sides are also provided with entry slots 46 to facilitate removal ofthe shaft 40 and the reels that are operatively connected to it. The substructure 30 is suitably placed in an overall amusement or game 25 device enclosure of generally conventional appearance, and which has an operating handle 48 (see Figures 20,23 and 24) which is located outside the enclosure side wall 50 (see Figure 20).

Pulling ofthe handle 48 causes movement of a 30 shaft to which a handle is attached to be rotated and this rotational movement is transmitted through a number of mechanisms which result in the shaft 40 being driven at a speed that is proportional to the speed in which the handle 48 is pulled. Thus, in a 35 very real sense, the player can control the initial speed and rotation ofthe reels 32. Referring again to Figure 2, the shaft 40 carrying the reels 32 is initially driven by a main drive mechanism 60 that is operatively connected through other mechanisms to 40 the operating handle 48 as will be hereinafter described. The main drive mechanism 60 is operable to engage a ratchet wheel 62 that is fixedly attached to the shaft 40 for rotating the same only during the time during which the handle 48 is pulled. Therefore, 45 once the main drive assembly has been engaged, by virtue of a player inserting a coin or otherwise enabling the game device, the subsequent pulling of the handle 48 will result in rotating force being applied via the main drive mechanism 60 and will " 50 impart rotation to the ratchet wheel 62 and shaft 40 during the pulling ofthe handle 48. Once the handle 48 has been pulled through its complete stroke, the main drive mechanism 60 automatically disengages and the shaft 40 is thereafter free to rotate without 55 any interference from the main drive mechanism.

In accordance with an important aspect ofthe present invention, if the player pulls the handle 48 too slowly so as to not provide a predetermined minimum rotational velocity to the reels during play, 60 then such slow speed of rotation is detected by suitable speed detection circuitry (not shown). The circuitry may comprise a light circuit with a light emitting diode-phototransistor combination positioned near the disc 34 together with suitable 65 electrical timing circuitry so that if the rotational speed is below a predetermined minimum speed, then a supplemental drive mechanism, indicated generally at 64, and shown in Figure 1 at the left side ofthe subassembly 30 is activated, which accelerates the shaft 40 and increases the speed of rotation ofthe reels. The supplemental drive mechanism 64 engages another ratchet wheel 66 attached to the left end ofthe shaft 40 which is substantially similar to the ratchet wheel 62 located at the opposite end thereof. The supplemental drive mechanism 64 is also adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 66 only during active operation ofthe supplemental drive mechanism 64 and it also automatically disengages upon completion of its stroke. Thus, both the main drive mechanism and supplemental drive mechanism provide an initial rotating force to the shaft 40 which is essentially momentary and both mechanisms automatically disengage upon the completion of driving force so that the shaft is not affected by them after their operations are completed.

In accordance with yet another aspect ofthe present invention, an improved mechanism 70 for stopping each ofthe rotating reels is provided,

which stopping mechanism is also often referred to as an indexing mechanism and which is shown in Figures 1,2,8-12. The mechanism has a stopping memberthat is inserted into one ofthe notches 36 upon activation, which stops the disc 34 and associated reel 32. The improved indexing mechanism disclosed herein is particularly useful where the reels are rotated at a high rotational velocity, i.e., higher than the rotational speeds that have been typically employed in conventional prior art game devices. Although the indexing mechanism disclosed herein is particularly adapted for stopping reels that are rotating at relatively high speed, it is also useful in other game devices of the same general type which have reels that rotate at a relatively lower speed.

While the supplemental drive mechanism is used to increase the speed of rotation in the event the player fails to pull the handle with sufficient speed or force to drive the reels at the predetermined minimum speed, an excessive energy absorption mechanism 72 shown in Figures 19-24 is provided and is operatively connected to the operating handle 48 to absorb excessive energy that may be present if the player pulls the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force. This excessive energy absorbing mechanism is needed to protect the main drive mechanism as well as the indexing mechanism, because ofthe extraordinary speed that could otherwise be generated by a strong or overzealous player.

Neither the main drive mechanism 60 northe supplemental drive mechanism 64 is engaged with the shaft 40 except during active operation and considering the fact that none ofthe indexing mechanisms 70 are also engaged with the discs during spinning and before they are activated and are in fact retracted into a ready position upon enablement ofthe game device, such as for example when the player inserts a coin in the apparatus. However, during the time after enablement and before the handle 48 is pulled, the reels are relatively

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free to rotate and are therefore susceptible to any creeping motion that may be caused by a player shaking or striking the game device for example. In accordance with another aspect ofthe present 5 invention, a mechanism shown in Figures 25,26 and 27 is adapted to provide a slight resistance to any reel movement during this time. The resistance is in fact slight and needs not to be excessive because no force is being applied at this time that would cause 10 any rotating movement. The mechanism is disengaged upon rotation caused by operation ofthe main drive assembly which automatically causes the mechanism to be placed in a retracted position.

In accordance with an important aspect ofthe 15 present invention, the detailed construction and operation ofthe main drive mechanism 60 will now be described in conjunction with Figures 3-5, together with an alternative embodiment of a portion ofthe mechanism which is shown in Figures 6 20 and 7. Referring initially to Figure 3, the main drive mechanism is illustrated in its latched or ready state wherein it is essentially out of engagement with the shaft 40 and attached ratchet wheel 62. The ratchet wheel 62 has a number of teeth 76, the radially 25 oriented portions thereof being adapted for engagement by an operative drive surface ofthe main drive mechanism. Pulling ofthe handle 48 is effective to cause a leaf spring member 78 to engage a pad or transverse extension 80 of a main drive arm plate 82 30 ofthe main drive mechanism afterthe leaf spring member 78 has been angularly moved through an arc of approximately 50° in the counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 3. The approximately 50° arc of movement that is provided before engage-35 ment with the main drive mechanism permits some degree of play in the handle 48 as is desired. It should be appreciated that pulling the handle 48 through a complete stroke generally involves pulling the handle through an arc of approximately 40° to 40 60°, which, by virtue of mechanical gearing, results in rotation ofthe main drive mechanism through the aforementioned 50° before engagement followed by approximately 150° of arc before it reaches the end of its arc, so that the 40° to 60° of angular movement 45 ofthe handle results in a total rotation of about 190° to 210° of movement by the leaf member 78. It should be understood that the aforementioned values of rotational movement are indeed approximate and can be easily modified by changing the 50 relative sizes of gears, wheels and the like.

The drive arm plate 82 is carried by and is freely rotatable on the shaft 40 and rotates around the shaft 40 in response to movement by the leaf spring member 78 engaging the pad 80. The drive arm plate 55 82 also has another pad 84 which can be contacted by the leaf spring drive member 78 to return the same to its normal rest and ready position shown in Figure 3, although a spring 86 having one end connected to the drive arm plate 82 and its opposite 60 end suitably connected to a bolt 88 associated with the side plate 44 may be provided to bias the drive arm plate 82 toward its rest position. The drive arm plate 82 has a second plate component 90 attached thereto which has a transverse extension or pad 92 65 for engaging a return bumper pad, indicated generally at 94, which preferably has a rubber or rubberlike cushion 96 which contacts the pad 92 upon return. The pad 94 is suitably attached to the side plate 44 and limits the return movement to the position shown in Figure 3.

The drive arm plate 82 (and plate component 90) carry a drive arm 100 which is pivotally attached to the drive arm plate 82 by a pin member 102. The drive arm 100 has a transverse extension or dog 104 which is engageable with the teeth 76 of a ratchet wheel 62 when the arm 100 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction around the pin member 102. An extension 106 is also provided for contact by a coil spring 108 which bears against the extension 106 as well as against a second pin member 110 which also carries a pivotable armature latch 112 preferably fabricated from a ferromagnetic material. The spring 108 biases the drive arm 100 toward engagement with the ratchet wheel 62, but is held out of engagement in its latched position shown in Figure 3 by a release dog surface 114 that is engaged by the end ofthe latch 112. The latch 112 is rotatable around the pin member 110 and is a generally right angled member having a surface 116 which is adjacent a coil 118 which is adapted to pivot the latch member 112 in a counterclockwise direction, i.e., attract the portion 116 toward the coil 118 when the coil 118 is energized. When this occurs, the latch 112 is released from the drive arm dog 114 which permits it to move so that its dog 104 will engage one ofthe teeth 76 ofthe ratchet wheel 62. The drive arm 100 is shown in the engaged position in Figure 4 afterthe latch 112 has released the drive arm 100 for engagement. A spring 120 is provided to bias the latch 112 in the counterclockwise direction to maintain engagement with the drive arm dog 114. After the dog 104 is engaged with the ratchet wheel 62,

then the leaf member 78 engaging the pad 80 ofthe drive arm plate 82 and rotating the same will drivingly rotate the ratchet wheel 62 and thereby spin the reels 32.

As the leaf spring member 78 rotates the drive arm plate 82 through the complete arc, the pad 92 ofthe component 90 will approach and eventually contact an end of stroke bumper 122 which has a cushion 124 which actually contacts the pad 92 and limits its counterclockwise movement. However, before it reaches the end of stroke, the outer free end 126 of the drive arm 100 will approach a disengaging pin 128 and by virtue ofthe contact with the surface 130 -ofthe drive arm 100 will cause the free end 126 to move downwardly as shown in Figure 5, out of engagement with the teeth 76 of the ratchet wheel 62, effectively rotating the drive arm 100 in a clockwise direction around its pivot pin member 102. As the arm 100 is moved farther away from the ratchet wheel 62, the release dog 114 will clear the end ofthe latch 112 which, by virtue ofthe biasing spring 120, will cause it to again latch the drive arm 100 in the position shown in Figure 3 and as the operating handle 48 is returned to its normal rest position, the leaf member 78 will be rotated in a clockwise direction back to its rest position shown in Figure 3 and the main drive mechanism will again be in its ready position, ready to operate in response to

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a subsequent play by a player. It should be appreciated that the coil 118 is preferably energized in response to the acceptance of a coin being placed into the game device by the player, although it may 5 be operated in response to a signal that is received after all reels have been stopped, for example, if the device is not ofthe coin operated type. An important consideration is that the ratchet wheel not be rotating at the time the latch 112 is released. 10 A modification ofthe main drive mechanism is shown in Figures 6 and 7 and includes a second drive arm 100' which is very similar in shape and operation to the previously described drive arm 100, with the primary difference being that it has a 15 extension or dog 104'that is spaced from the drive arm dog 104 by a small distance. The drive arm 100' is pivotable around the pin 102 independently ofthe pivoting action ofthe drive arm 100 so that upon release by the latch 112, both ofthe drive arms will 20 be biased toward engagement and depending upon the precise angular position ofthe ratchet wheel 62, one orthe other of the dogs 104,104' will engage one of the teeth 76 ofthe ratchet wheel 62. When the drive plate 82 has been rotated through the complete 25 arc, the pin 128 will engage both ofthe drive arms 100 and cause the latch 112 to relatch both ofthe drive arms 100,100' into the position shown with respect to the drive arm 100 in Figure 3. The additional drive arm may be desirably included in 30 the main drive mechanism to insure that engagement is achieved by the dog 104 or 104' rather than to possibly "bounce" radially outwardly relative to the ratchet wheel 62 upon initial rotation ofthe drive arm plate 82.

35 To stop the rotating wheels once they have been rotated by the main drive mechanism 60 or possibly by the main drive mechanism 60 followed by the supplemental drive mechanism 64, one ofthe index mechanisms 70 is provided for each reel and one of 40 the indexing mechanisms 70 is shown in Figures 8-12 ofthe drawings. Referring initially to Figure 8 which shows the indexing mechanism 70 in its normal or ready state, it stops the rotating reels by being released at the appropriate time whereupon a 45 stop roller member 140 carried by a pin 142 engages one ofthe notches 36 ofthe disc 34. Because the disc 34 may be rotating at an extremely high speed, or at least higher than has been generally previously experienced by conventional prior art game devices 50 of the type described herein, stopping the disc 34 and reels 32 may result in considerable shock because ofthe higher speed and the stopping may result in a reaction in the opposite direction after initial engagement by the stop member 140, i.e., in a 55 clockwise direction which is opposite that shown by the arrow 144.

To cushion or otherwise absorb some ofthe shock that is experienced during initial engagement by the stop roller member 140 as well as to absorb the 60 reaction in the opposite direction, the indexing mechanism is provided with shock absorbing capability. Moreover, the structual mass that is actually moved to engage the stop member 140 with one of the latches is minimized as a result ofthe unique 65 design compared with many conventional indexing mechanisms so that it will rapidly fully enter a notch 36 in a way whereby the disc will be readily stopped without the stop member bouncing along the edge and entering a notch that may be several notches 70 removed from the notch which was initially encountered. By virtue of the small amount of mass that is moved during the engagement of a notch, it can rapidly enter a notch and fully engage the same to stop the disc 34.

75 Turning initially to Figure 8, the indexing mechanism 70 is shown to have an elongated indexing slide arm 146 which is slideably secured to a mounting bracket 148 at its lower end and its upper end is shown to have a bifurcated end portion with one 80 side 150 being integral with the lower portion ofthe index slide arm 146, the other side 152 {see Figure 12) being of generally similar shape and attached to the first side 150 by a number of fasteners 154 which may be screws, rivots or the like. The bifurcated end 85 has a transverse extension 156 with a pair of apertures 158 and 160 (see Figure 12) for receiving suitable connecting pins for holding other components that will be hereinafter discussed. The aperture 158 is generally in line with the longitudinal 90 direction ofthe index slide arm 146 and a pin 162 holds one end of aflat elongated link 164, the opposite end of which is connected to one end ofthe pin 142 that carries the stop roller member 140. An aperture 166 is located at a position similar to that of 95 the aperture 158, but in the other side 152 ofthe bifurcated end ofthe slide arm 146 and it receives a pin (not shown) for holding an index pivot arm 170 in which the other end ofthe pin 142 carrying the stop roller member 140 is also secured. The link 164 and 100 pivot arm 170 therefore pivot around the pins 162 and 166 and are thereby adapted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction into engagement with a notch, when the index pivot arm 170 is released.

The pivot arm 170 has an extension 172 to which 105 one end of a tension spring 174 is attached, the opposite end thereof being connected to an aperture 175 in the bifurcated side 152. The spring 174 acts on the pivot arm 170 and biases the same toward engagement with the disc 34. The pivot arm 170 has 110 a dog 178 which is engaged by a transverse extension 180 of a latch member 182 that is carried by and is pivotally attached to the extension 156 by a pin 184. The latch 182 is preferably fabricated of a ferromagnetic material and has a second transverse 115 extension 186 for interaction with an operating coil 188 that will attract the extension 186 ofthe latch 182 and cause the same to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown in Figure 8 when the coil is energized through electrical leads 190. The latch 182 has an 120 extension 192 which provides a surface edge for contact by one end of a spring 194, the opposite end of which bears upon an edge of the transverse extension 156. The spring 194 is wrapped around the pin 184 and biases the latch in the counterclockwise 125 direction so that the extension 180 will be maintained in contact with the dog 178 ofthe pivot arm 170 to hold the pivot arm in its latched position shown in Figure 8.

Once the coil 188 is energized and thereby attracts 130 the latch 182 causing it to be moved in the clockwise

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direction, the extension 180 will disengage the dog 178 and permit the pivot arm to move toward the disc 34 so that the stop roller member 140 can engage a notch and stop the disc and associated 5 reel. To facilitate rapid movement of the pivot arm 170, its overall weight is preferably minimized and to this end, a circular portion 196 is removed from the center portion thereof.

Once the pivot arm has been released and the stop 10 roller member 140 has engaged a notch, as shown in Figure 9,the momentum ofthe disc 34will be in the direction of rotation which is counterclockwise which will result in a force being applied to the indexing mechanism 70 in the direction ofthe arrow 15 198. It should be appreciated that the orientation of the stop member 140 when engaged is generally in line with the longitudinal direction ofthe index slide arm 146 so that the force is applied generally in the longitudinal direction ofthe slide arm 146 as is 20 desired. In this regard, the index slide arm 146 is mounted on the mounting plate 148 so that it is generally aligned tangentially ofthe circumference ofthe disc 34 at the location ofthe particular notch where the stop member 140 will be engaged. 25 To cushion the initial shock that is experienced by the index mechanism 70, the index slide arm 146 is provided with the capability of being moved along a path aligned with the longitudinal direction thereof and in both directions from the rest position which is 30 illustrated in Figure 8. Upon engagement ofthe stop member with a notch as is shown in Figure 9, the slide member 146 can move upwardly as shown in Figure 9 and it can also move downwardly as may be experienced by initial recoil or reaction to the 35 stopping and the downward movement ofthe slide member 146 is particularly illustrated in Figure 10.

The sliding movement of the index slide arm 146 is permitted by the manner in which the arm 146 is attached to the mounting plate 148. More particular-40 ly,the lower portion ofthe index slide arm 146 has a pair of transverse elongated extensions 200 and 202, with the latter fitting within an elongated slot 204 of the mounting plate 148. The slide arm 146 also carries a pin 206 which fits in a shorter elongated slot 45 208 ofthe mounting bracket, the ends of which provide a stop surface which limits the extent of sliding movement of the index slide arm 146.

To provide resistance to the sliding movement and to maintain the index slide arm 146 in a centered 50 position, a pair of centering arms 209 and 210 are provided, with one end of each of the centering arms being rotatabiy attached to the mounting bracket 148 with pins 212. The opposite ends ofthe centering arms also have attachment pins 214to which a 55 tension spring 216 is connected and the spring acts to keep the centering arms biased toward one another. A pin 218 is attached to the mounting plate 48 and is adapted to contact the sides of both centering arms 209 and 210 when the slide arm is in 60 the rest or centered position as shown in Figure 8. When force is applied which tends to move the index slide arm 146 upwardly as shown in Figure 9, the pin 206 will engage the centering arm 208 and force it away from the pin 218 against the resistance pro-65 vided by the spring 216.

In the event the action of the disc 34 reacts to the movement and produces a force in the downward direction on the index slide arm 146, it will cause the lower slide arm 210 to be moved away from the pin 218 by means ofthe slide arm pin 206 acting on the edge thereof as shown in Figure 10 and the force of the spring 216 will resist downward movement of the index slide arm 146. The spring 216 will then return the centering arm 210 into contact with the pin 218 and the slide arm will again be at its rest position. Since the upward force will generally be much greaterthan the reactive downward force, a supplemental and stronger resistance to such move- * ment may be provided. In this reagard, a bracket 220 may be attached to the mounting plate 148 and have an extension 222 to which a compression spring 224 may be attached for engagement with a transverse flange 226 ofthe index slide arm 146. Thus, as the index slide arm is moved upwardly in the direction ofthe arrow 198 shown in Figure 9, the spring 224 will come in contact with the transverse flange 226 and provide added resistance to further upward movement.

To remove the index pivot arm 170 from the disc 34 after the disc has been fully stopped to thereby permit the player to again play the game apparatus, the index pivot arm 170 is provided with an extension 230 that is adapted to be contacted by a reset mechanism that includes a reset arm 232 having a roller 234 at the outer end thereof. The reset arm is secured to a shaft 236 that preferably extends substantially the full width of the substructure 30 with each indexing mechanism 70 having a reset arm 232 located immediately adjacent to it. When the reset mechanism is activated, it will move in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 236, contact the reset extension 230 moving it in a clockwise direction around the pin 162 and thereby pivot the index pivot arm into latching engagement with the latch extension 180 and thereby latch the same in its retracted position shown in Figure 8. The reset mechanism that drives the shaft 236 is shown in Figure 3 to include a reset arm 238 attached to the shaft 236 with the arm 238 being biased by a tension spring 240 for maintaining the arm in the position shown and the other end ofthe arm 238 is connected to a link 242 by a pin 244, the other end ofthe link being connected to a plunger 246 by a pin 248, the plunger 246 being a part of a solenoid 50 which is energized via lines 252. When the solenoid is energized the plunger is pulled to the right which causes the plunger 246, link 242, arm 248 to be moved to the right as shown which causes the shaft . 236 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as is required for the resetting action.

As previously mentioned, in the event that the player pulls the handle with insufficient force or speed to cause the reels to initially rotate at a speed that is below the predetermined minimum speed,

then such event will be detected by suitable speed detection means associated with at least one ofthe reels or the shaft 40. If the reels are detected to be moving too slowly, the supplemental drive mechanism 64, shown broadly in Figure 1, and in detail in Figures 13 through 16, will be activated. The sup-

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piemental drive mechanism 64 is shown in its ready or rest position in Figure 13, initially engaged with the ratchet wheel 66 in Figure 14 and at the end of its power stroke in Figure 15. An exploded perspective 5 ofthe mechanism is shown in Figure 16 and an alternative embodiment of a portion ofthe apparatus is shown in Figures 17 and 18.

Referring again to Figure 13, the supplemental drive mechanism has a drive plate 260 that is carried 10 by and is freely rotatable relative to the shaft 40. The drive plate 260 carries a ratchet pawl 262 that is attached thereto by a pin 264 around which it can rotate. The pawl 262 has a transverse extension 266 for engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel " 15 66 when the pawl 262 is rotated in a clockwise direction into said engagement. However, the pawl 262 has a dog 268 that is engaged by a transverse extension 270 of a pawl latch 272 that is also carried by and is attached to the drive plate 260 by a pin 274. 20 The pawl latch 272 has a coil spring 276 that normally biases the pawl latch in a clockwise direction, i.e., so that the extension 270 normally is biased into engagement with the dog 268 ofthe ratchet pawl 262. The ratchet pawl 262 is also biased 25 toward the ratchet wheel 66 by a coil spring 278 which has one end bearing against the ratchet pawl 262 and the opposite end bearing against the edge of the drive plate 260 as shown in Figures 14and 15. Thus, from the foregoing, it should be appreciated 30 that when the latch 272 is operated so that the extension 270 separates from the dog 268, then the ratchet pawl 262 will be biased to move in a clockwise direction around the pin 264 which will cause the extension 266 to engage the teeth of the 35 ratchet wheel 66.

To unlatch the ratchet pawl 262, the latch 272 has a transverse extension 280 which is engaged by an extendable plunger 282 of a solenoid 284, the opposite end ofthe plunger 284 having a flange 286 40 against which a compression spring 288 bears to normally bias the plunger toward its retracted position as shown in Figures 13 and 15. The solenoid 264 is suitably attached to the substructure side plate 42. When the solenoid is energized, the plunger 282 45 is forced upwardly as shown in the drawings into contact with the extension 280 and rotates the latch 272 in a counterclockwise direction around pin 274, thereby releasing the extension 270 from the dog 268 so that the spring 278 biases the ratchet pawl - 50 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 66.

To drive the drive plate afterthe ratchet pawl 262 has engaged the ratchet wheel as shown in Figure 14, a drive arm 292 is provided which has a pair of elongated slots 294 which receive a pair of generally 55 horizontally disposed pins 296 which guide the drive arm 292 so that it slides along a generally horizontal path. The drive arm 292 is operatively connected to the drive plate 260 by a pin 300 that engages an upwardly directed slot 302 located in the drive arm 60 292. The drive arm 292 is preferably secured to the side wall 42 by locking washers or the like attached to the pins 296 and the open slot 302 enables much ofthe supplemental drive arm assembly to be removed when the shaft 40 carrying the reels and 65 the like is removed.

Thus, when the drive arm 292 is pulled to the left it will rotate the drive plate 260 in a clockwise direction and impart rotating force to the ratchet 60 and therefore the shaft 40. A solenoid 304 is also suitably mounted to the side 42 and it has a retractable plunger 306 that is connected to the drive arm by a pin 308 orthe like so that energization ofthe solenoid 304 will pull the link and drive arm to the left as shown in the drawing. As the movement continues,the bottom surface 310 ofthe ratchet pawl 262 will contact a ramp surface 312 of a bracket 314 as shown in Figure 15 and will effectively rotate the ratchet pawl 262 in a counterclockwise direction so as to retract the extension 266 out of engagement from the ratchet wheel 66 toward the end ofthe stroke ofthe drive arm 292 and will thereby cause the latch to again engage the dog 268 and hold the ratchet pawl 262 in a latched position as shown in Figure 13. A tension spring 316 has one end attached to the pin 308 and the other end attached to a suitable aperture in the bracket 314 and the spring 316 provides force tending to move the drive arm 292 back to its rest or ready position as shown in Figure 13. When the latch is relatched, and the drive plate is moved back to its rest position, the latch extension 280 is again in position to be contacted by the plunger 282 ofthe solenoid 284 for subsequent operation.

The exploded perspective shown in Figure 16 includes a modification to the supplemental drive mechanism shown in Figures 13-15, which modification is also shown in detail in Figures 17 and 18. It essentially involves a second ratchet pawl 262'

having a transverse extension 266' and a latch dog 268', with both ofthe ratchet pawls 262 and 262' being adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 66 when the pawl latch 272 is released. As is best shown in Figure 17, the ratchet pawl 262' has a somewhat shorter length so that the extension 266' is spaced from the extension 266 ofthe other ratchet pawl,

with the spacing being approximately half the distance between adjacent teeth ofthe ratchet 66. This insures that upon release ofthe pawl latch, one ofthe extensions 260 or 266' will immediately engage a tooth and drive the ratchet as is desired, rather than perhaps bounce away from the ratchet. It is appreciated that both ofthe ratchet pawls 262 and 262' are biased toward the ratchet wheel 66.

In accordance with yet another important aspect of the present invention and as previously mentioned, the game device as embodied herein has an excessive energy absorption mechanism 72 shown in detail in Figures 19-24 for effectively limiting the maximum speed in which the reels may be rotated in response to an overzealous pull of the handle 48. Before describing the details ofthe energy absorption mechanism 72, the interconnection ofthe operating handle 48 with the main drive mechanism will be briefly described in conjunction with the exploded perspective view of Figure 24, together with the plan view of Figure 19. The handle 48 is connected to a shaft 320 (not shown in Figure 24) which is connected via the energy absorbing mechanism 72 to a drive sprocket 322 that drives a smaller driven sprocket 324 via a chain 326. The

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driven sprocket 324 is fixedly attached to a shaft 328 which is in turn connected to a resistance imparting mechanism 330 which will be briefly hereinafter described, and the shaft 328 also carries a bracket 5 332 to which the leaf spring member 78 is attached for driving the main drive mechanism 60.

While the resistance mechanism 330 generally absorbs some ofthe energy, its primary purpose is to impose a feeling of resistance to a player pulling 10 the handle to simulate the feel of prior art game devices which were essentially mechanical, and which were of the type wherein pulling ofthe handle stored energy into a spring mechanism that was released at the end ofthe handle stroke. The 15 resistance mechanism is ofthe type which has a pair of circular discs 334 and 336, one of which is secured to the shaft 338, the other of which is fixed against rotating movement with a leather circular pad 338 being sandwiched between the discs 334 and 336. A 20 compression spring 340 is positioned to bias the discs 334 and 336 together, with the leather pad 338 providing the resistance to relative rotating movement between the two discs. The spring 334 has one end bearing against the disc 334 and its opposite end 25 bearing against a circular bracket 342 that is also preferably attached to the shaft 328.

The excessive energy absorption apparatus 72 is best shown in Figures 20-23 and generally comprises an elongated lever arm 350 fixedly attached to the 30 shaft 320 so that rotation of the shaft 320 also rotates the lever arm 350 and a second lever arm 352 is fixed to the left end portion ofthe shaft 340 by a bolt 354 or the like so that it is also fixedly attached thereto and rotates when the shaft 320 is rotated. The 35 second lever arm 352 has a transverse extension 356 which engages an end 358 of a rather large coil spring 360 that is positioned around the shaft and the spring 360 has its opposite end 362 bearing upon a pin 364 that is attached to the drive sprocket 322. 40 The pin 364 also extends beyond the opposite side of the sprocket 322 and engages the lever arm 350. It should be appreciated, however, that the pin 364 may comprise two angularly displaced pins or extensions from the sprocket rather than the single 45 pin as shown since the principle of operation would be identical in such event. The spring 360 is preferably given one or more turns so that it normally biases its upper end 262 against the pin 364 and therefore against the lever arm 350. As is best shown 50 in Figures 21 and 22, the opposite end 358 fitting in a slot 366 in the transverse extension 356. To maintain the spring 360 in a nice cylindrical shape, a shaping cylinder 368 fabricated of plastic or the like and having an outside diameter slightly smallerthan the 55 inside diameter of the coil spring 360 is provided and it is maintained in concentric relation with the shaft 360 by three positioning pins 370 located on the sprocket 322 and by similarly positioned pins 372 connected to the second lever arm 352.

60 During operation, it should be appreciated that by virtue ofthe fact that the drive sprocket 322 is freely rotatable about the shaft 320, it is rotated in response to pulling ofthe handle by the lever arm 352 and spring 360 contacting the pin 364. The drive arm 65 350 also bears against the pin 364 and prevents the spring 360 from unwinding, but as the handle is moved to the right as shown in view of Figure 21, the entire mechanism shown therein will rotate in a clockwise direction around the shaft 320, provided 70 the handle is not moved with extraordinary speed. However, in the event of an overzealous pull ofthe handle, the lever arm 350 will move relative to the spring end 362 and pin 364 and may separate from the pin 364 and excessive energy will be absorbed 75 by the spring 360. In this manner, the drive sprocket 322 will sustain the entire force ofthe handle pull transmitted to it, which will thereby protect the main drive mechanism as is desired.

It is evident from the foregoing description of the 80 main drive mechanism 60 and the supplemental drive mechanism 64 that neither of these mechanisms is operatively engaged with the shaft or discs 34 except momentarily during the active driving of them. Similarly, the indexing mechanism 70 is not 85 engaged with the disc 34 after it has been reset upon completion of a play. Moreover, afterthe player has inserted a coin or otherwise enabled the play ofthe device, there is no contact with the shaft 40 or discs 34 by any of these three mechanisms until the 90 handle 48 is pulled. Therefore, the reels are free to creep or turn under the influence of vibration ofthe game device, such as by shaking, pounding by the player orthe like. Such creeping movement ofthe reels is undesirable for the reason that the player 95 may attempt to rotate the reels so that a winning combination of symbols on the reels would be exposed and he may thereafter try to persuade the operators of a gaming establishment that he has won. For this reason, a mechanism is provided to 100 prevent this creeping movement ofthe reels during this time period and the mechanism is shown in detail in Figures 25,26 and 27.

Afterthe reels and discs have been stopped by operation ofthe indexing mechanism and preferably 105 after a coin has been inserted into the game device or has otherwise been enabled for a subsequent play, the mechanism, indicated generally at 380, is released for engagement with the outer periphery of the disc 34. The mechanism 380 is mounted to a 110 channel bracket 382 by a mounting bracket 384 that carries an electrical coil 386 having electrical leads 388 connected to a suitable control circuit and the mounting bracket has a flange 390 to which a spring member 392 is attached. The spring member 392 is 115 preferably made of a ferromagnetic material so that it can be attracted by operation ofthe coil 386 when moved within its influence and it is shown in its disengaged or ready position in Figure 25. In this position, the spring member 392 is defected and is 120 being held in response to the energization ofthe coil 386. Upon enablement ofthe game device, the coil 386 is deenergized which permits the resilient spring member 392 be released and it then assumes the position shown in Figure 26 where it is in contact 125 with the edge ofthe disc 34. A slight curved portion 394 is provided near the outer end thereof and an additional mass may also be provided at the end, in the form of a small square ferromagnetic plate 396. The curved portion 394 is adapted to provide an 130 edge surface 398 which can be contacted by the

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edge of the disc 34 upon driving by the main drive mechanism so as to propel it outwardly thereof toward the coil 386 where it comes under the influence thereof and is thereafter held during 5 spinning ofthe reel. As best shown in Figure 27, the bracket 384 is connected to the channel bracket 382 so as to be coplanar with the disc and suitable spacers 400 and screws 402 connect the bracket 384 to the channel bracket 382 in conventional manner. 10 From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that an improved game device has been shown and described which has many desirable attributes, including permitting a player to have operating control in a game device of the type described which " 15 has not been possible in conventional prior art game devices. Moreover, many ofthe mechanisms disclosed herein while being particularly suited in combination in the game device described herein, are useful when employed with conventional game 20 devices of this type, i.e., those devices which may not have the reel speed directly controlled in proportion to the speed in which the operating handle is pulled. In this regard, the indexing mechanism 70 has desirable attributes that are conducive to use in 25 conventional game devices, and the supplemental drive mechanism may be useful as a drive mechanism for a conventional type of game device, rather than to merely increase the speed of rotating reels as is disclosed in the preferred embodiment herein.

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Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for stopping a rotatable reel ofthe type that is used in an amusement or game device

35 and which has at least one associated circular disc with a plurality of recessed notches positioned along the circumference thereof, said notches being adapted to receive a stop member for stopping rotation ofthe disc and reel, said apparatus compris-40 ing: mounting means for attaching said apparatus to a frame structure of said game device; index arm means movably attached to said mounting means and having a portion located immediately adjacent the circumference of said disc, said portion being 45 movable in opposite directions from a rest position along a path that is generally tangent to the circumference of said disc at the location where said stop member engages a notch; means for biasing said index arm means so that said portion is biased . 50 toward said rest position; pivot arm means attached to said portion of said index arm means and being pivotable relative thereto, said pivot arm means carrying said stop member which engages one of said notches when said pivot arm means is pivoted 55 toward said disc; means for biasing said pivot arm means toward said disc; latch means carried by said index arm means for retaining said pivot arm means out of engagement with said disc and for releasing said pivot arm means when operated; means for 60 operating said latch means to release said index arm means in response to activation thereof.

2. Apparatus as defined in Claim 1, wherein said index arm means comprises an elongated member having one end portion slidably secured to said

65 mounting means, said member being slidable in its -

lengthwise direction, said member being oriented along a line that is generally tangent to the circumference ofthe disc at the location where said stop member engages one of said notches. 70

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the lengthwise direction of said elongated member is generally aligned with the point of attachment of said pivot arm means on said elongated member and with said stop member when said stop member 75 is inserted in one of said notches.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said pivot arm means has a reset extension oriented generally away from said disc from said stop member when said stop member is inserted in one 80 of said notches, said extension being adapted to be contacted by a reset lever for disengaging said stop member from said notch and for placing said latch means so that it retains said pivot arm means out of said engagement.

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5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch means comprises a pivotable member fabricated of a ferromagnetic material, one end portion of said member having opposed transverse extensions, one of said extensions defining a retaining 90 surface for retaining said pivot arm means, the other extension defining a surface for interacting with said latch means operating means.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said latch means includes means for biasing the same

95 toward said pivot arm means.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said latch means operating means comprises an electrically energizable coil attached to said mounting means adjacent to said other extension of said latch

100 member and adapted to attract said latch means member and release said pivot arm means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said index arm means has a transverse extension, said mounting means has an elongated slot for receiving

105 said transverse extension of said index arm means in sliding relation, the width of said slot being only slightly greaterthan said extension width so as to guide the sliding of said index arm means along said path.

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9. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said index arm means biasing means comprises a pair of elongated centering arms positioned generally par-rallel and adjacent one another and disposed generally perpendicularly relative to the lengthwise direc-115 tion of said index arm means, each having one end portion connected to said mounting means and an opposite end portion that is coextensive with said index arm means; a first stop means fixed to said mounting means between said centering arms 120 adapted to stop said centering arms from moving toward each other; a second stop means fixed to said index arm means between said centering arms during sliding movement of said index arm means in one direction along said path and the other one of 125 said centering arms during sliding movement in the opposite direction; and spring means urging said centering arms toward one another.

10. An amusement or game device that has a frame structure and is ofthe type that has at least 130 one rotatable reel and a fixedly connected disc with a

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plurality of notches therein which are adapted to receive a stop member for stopping rotation ofthe reel and disc, and that further comprises apparatus for carrying the stopping member and for moving it 5 into one ofthe notches in response to activation thereof comprising a mounting plate for attachment to the frame structure of said device, and an elongated indexing means having a pivotable arm attached to one end portion thereof, with the 10 pivotable arm carrying the stop member and being biased toward said disc, the other end ofthe indexing means being slidably connected to said mounting plate, the indexing means including biasing means for biasing it toward its rest position, the 15 indexing means being slidable in opposite directions from said rest position along a path generally tangent to said disc periphery at the location where said stop member enters one of said notches, said indexing means including a latch means for holding 20 said pivotable arm away from said notches and for releasing the same to stop the rotation ofthe disc, said indexing means biasing means being effective to absorb shock in either direction during said stopping.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Croydon Printing Company Limited, Croydon, Surrey, 1982.

Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.