GB534836A - Improvements in and relating to games apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

534,836. Coin-freed game apparatus. BURT, F. A. Sept. 16, 1939, No. 25971. [Class 132 (ii)] [Also in Group XVIII] In a table game apparatus wherein the balls are raised from a magazine to the ball-propelling plunger by an electrically-operated transfer device such as a solenoid, the transfer device is brought into operation for the first ball in the magazine by control means operated by the last ball in the magazine, and for subsequent balls by control means adapted to function as a preceding ball passes out of play. As shown, the balls after projection up a side channel 19, Fig. 2, run down the playing area and pass out of play into an " out-of-play " compartment 2 where they remain until released by manual actuation of the coin slide 3 when they run into the retaining runway or magazine 10, Figs. 2 and 3. The first ball 15 closes a switch 8, Figs. land 3, and the last ball closes a switch 9 whilst a switch 12 remains closed until a ball is elevated. A circuit is thus completed through the solenoid and the first ball is raised by the movement of the core 17 and occupies a position (shown by broken lines in Fig. 3) in front of the usual projecting plunger, at the same time opening the switch 12 and de-energizing the solenoid. As the switch 9 is opened during this elevating movement, a holding switch 7 is provided to maintain the solenoid circuit until the elevation of the ball is completed. After projection of the raised ball, it eventually passes over a switch 11, Fig. 2, and the solenoid is again energized and raises a urther ball, the action being repeated each time a ball passes over the switch 11 until the balls in the runway 10 are exhausted. An emergency switch 14 operable by a key is provided for use if a ball should fail to be raised. A multiple stage solenoid as shown may be used when a large core movement is required.