US2057651A - Register device for game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

OCt. 13, 1936. F L MlLLS 2,057,651

REGISTER DEVICE FOR GAME APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

*Q @www Oct. 13, 1936.

F. MILLS 2,057,651

REGISTER DEVICE FOR GAME APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1955 5 SheetS-Sheel 2 oct. 13,1936.

F. 1 MILLS Filed June 4, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 oct. 13, 1936. F, MlLLS 2,057,651

REGISTER DEVICE FOR GAME APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 @et 13, 1936. F. L. MILLS 2,057,651

REGISTER DEVICE FOR GAME APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 @f [LOM Patented Oct. 13, 1936 unirse stares REGISTER DEVICE FOR GAMEv APPARATUS Fred L. Mills, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Mills Novelty Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Y Application June 4, 1935, Serial No. `24,897

9 Claims.

` This 'invention relates togame apparatus and more particularly to apparatus of this type in which a free play mechanism is provided which operates4 under certain conditions to allow free playfof` the game operating mechanism which isv normally coin-controlled. y rIn United States Patent No. 1,912,992 issued to'mefunder date of June 6, 1933 I have shown and described a spinning reel type of coin-con. trolled game in which a free play mechanism is provided which operates to allow the operator a number of free plays which are determined according to theposition of rest of the reels. In the embodiment of this mechanism shown in said patent the free plays are racked up on a movable control element consisting of a wheel which is displaced, through mechanism controlled by the reels, from a normal starting or zero position, the extent of displacement of the wheel from the starting position determining the number of free plays allowed. If desired, such free plays may be used to indicate a score attained by the operator in the play of the game. This may be accomplished by providing on the periphery of the free play control wheel a scale which is numbered` to indicate either the free plays themselves or a score based on such plays, it being understood that a portion .of this scale is exposed to the View of the operator.

In operating aV game apparatus of the type just described, after a number of plays, the operator may have obtained a certain number of free plays to his credit as represented by the displacement of the control wheel from its starting position. If the operator then wishes to leave the machine, his free plays remaining unused, or the score he has made based upon such plays, are noted by the proprietor, who then resets the free play control wheel to the starting position for the next operator. In this resetting operation the free plays, or score represented by such plays, are cancelled and it is therefore desirable to provide means for giving the proprietor a permarient` record of the net results of the operation of the free play mechanism.

The object of my invention is to provide a registerwhich operates in conjunction with a free play ,'meohanism'of the type described to record theV net results of the operation thereof over a given period by totalling all free plays which remain unused'by successive operators of the apparatus.

' With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will more fully appear as Athe description proceeds, the inventonresides in thel coriilliirla-l tion and arrangement of parts and in the features ofA construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that Various changes inthe embodiment of theinvention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a coin-controlled game apparatus provided with mechanism for awarding free plays and having the improved register embodied therein;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation View of the apparatus showing the relation of the register to the free play mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the apparatus taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a Vertical section showing a portion of the free play mechanism, the section being taken on line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a detail section through the register device, the View being taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, a portion of the manually operated shaft which is carried in the casing of the machine being also shown in its operative relation to the register;

Fig. 6 is a detail section snowing the gear drive connection for the register, the View being taken as indicated by line 6-5 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a detail section through the register, the section being taken as indicated by line 'I-l of Fig. 5.

The coin-controlled game apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings is shown and described in detail in my Patent No. 1,912,992, to which I have hereinbefore referred. Since the present invention relates only to a novel form of register which is adapted for use with such a game apparatus to record the number of unused free plays, or a scoring equivalent thereof, I shall describe the game apparatus proper only in sucient detail to illustrate the mode of operation of the register.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, three legend-displaying reels 1, 8 and 9 are mounted for free rotation on a main reel shaft I I, the hub portions of the reels consisting of sleeves which are provided, respectively, with star wheels I2, I3 and |12. The opposite ends of said sleeves are provided, respectively, with ratchet discs I5, I6 and I'I. Each reel, together with its corresponding star wheel and ratchet disc, is thus mounted for independent rotation on shaft II. The peripheral face of each reel is provided with a legend-bearing strip which may be viewed through a transparent panel mounted in the casing (not shown) which encloses the apparatus.

Reels 1, 8, and 9 are adapted to be spun by a manually operated coin-controlled mechanism which includes means for bringing the reels to rest so as to display various combinations of these legends. The mechanism for spinning the reels is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. A coin of proper denomination is first inserted in a coin chute I 8, after which an operating handle (not shown) mounted externally on the casing, is pulled downwardly, said handle engaging a later? ally projecting lug I9, which is carried on the forward end of a lever 2|, the latter being pivoted at 22 to the frame and normally held in raised position by a heavy coil spring 23 connected at one end to said lever and at the opposite end to the frame. A coin-controlled latch mechanism consisting of a vertically disposed lock bar 24, pivoted to the frame at 25, and a coin-trip lever 26, prevents lowering of thelever 2I through a full stroke unless a proper coin has rst been inserted in coin chute I8. The lower end of lever 26 carries a pin 21 which moves in a slot 28 formed in the upper end of bar 24. The upper end of said lever 26 carries a forwardly projecting rod 29 (Fig. 1) which extends into the coin chute I8. When the actuating arm is pulled downwardly by the operator to lower lever 2l, a coin inserted in coin chute I8 is pulled downwardly therein by a vertically disposed draw bar 3i, which is pivotally connected at 32 (Fig. 2) to a spring held lever 3, said lever 33 having a part (not shown) which extends into the coin chute to engage the top edge of the coin. The lower end of draw bar 3I is provided with a slot 34 which receives a pin 35 carried by lever 2I. Springs 36 urge bar 3| downwardly to hold it in yielding engagement with lever 2I. Draw bar 3l pulls a coin which has been placed in coin chute I3 downwardly to a point opposite the end of rod 29 which is carried on the upper end of lockr lever 26. The coin prevents lever 26 from being pivoted by a spring 31, in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 2, and lever 26 being thus held serves to prevent movement of lock bar 24 in a clockwisedirection, viewing Fig. 2. Y When no coin is present in the coin chute spring 31 pivots lever Y26 in a counter-clockwise direction, and this turning of lever 26 results in a corresponding clockwise turning of bar 24 to bring a shoulder 33 formed thereon into the path of a lug 39 which projects inwardly from lever 2|, this engagement preventing the downward movement of lever 2| through all except the very rst portion of its stroke.

Assuming that a` coin has been inserted and that lever 2l is free to move downwardly through a full stroke, the spinning of reels 1, 8 and 9 is effected through the turning of a main rock shaft 4I, this being accomplished through engagement of a dog 42, with an arm 43 which is rigidly secured to rock shaft 4I. The dog 42 is mounted for limited pivotal movement on a rearwardly extending'arm 44 which forms an integral part of lever 2I. This engagement of dog 42 with arm 43 turns main rock shaft 4I in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 2, against strong spring tension under which said shaft is placed and as soon as said dog 42 slips from arm 43, shaft' 4I turns in a counter-clockwise direction with a quick snapping action.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, a bell crank lever 45, rigid onshaft 4I, is provided with a forwardly extending arm 46 which has pivotal l connection with a link 41, the latter being pivoted at its upper end to a second link 48, which in turn is pivoted at 49 to the frame. A pawl arm I of bell crank form is pivoted at 52 on link 48 and is provided at one end with a pawl 53 adapted to engage the teeth of ratchet discs I5-I1. The other end of pawl arm 5I carries a lug 54 which normally rests against link 48, a spring 55 providing yielding connection between these parts. When rock shaft 4I is actuated as hereinbefore explained, pawl arm 5I is raised to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3 to engage the teeth of the ratchet discs and spins the reels as soon as dog 42 clears arm 43, this spinning of the reels being effected by a quick 'snapping action.

Continuing the reference to Fig. 3, ratchet discs I5-I1 are locked in their normal position of rest by a latch arm 56 which is pivoted to the frame at 51, the upper end of said arm being urged downwardly against said discs by a spring 58. The lower end of arm 56 rests on an apron 59 which is pivoted on a cross rod 6I, said apron being provided with a downwardly projecting cam surface 62 which engages arm 45. When rock shaft 4Iv is turned to start rotation of the reels, latcharrn 56 is moved to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. When the rock shaft is returned to normal position latch arm 56 is brought back into engagement with the ratchet discs in a `manner presently to be eX- plained.

The mechanism for stopping the reels to present various combinations of legends is fully described in my prior Patent No. 1,912,992. I have herein shown in Figs. 1-3 sufcient details of this mechanism to give an understanding of the manner in which this function is 'accomplished. Associated with each reel is a stop arm 63 which is pivoted at 64 to a bell crank 65, the latter being mounted for pivotal movement on a cross-rod 66. Arm 63 is provided with a rearwardly extending bracket 61, the free end of which rests on a cam 68, the latter being rigidly secured to rock shaft 4I. A coil spring 69, extending between bracket 61 and the frame, urges arm 63 toward the star wheel on the reel hub. It will be apparent that when rock shaft 4I is turned in a clockwiseA direction (viewing Fig. 3) during the wind-up or actuating stroke, cam 68 will engage bracket 61 to pivot arm 63 in a counter-clockwise direction to remove the upper end thereof from the star wheel on the reel hub. At the same timebell crank 65 has been moved downwardly with arm 63 by reason of the connection with the latter aorded by a lug 1I carried on the upper end of said bell crank. Arm 63 is releasably connected to bell crank 65 by a link 12, one end of which is pivotally connected to bracket 61, the forward end portion thereof being notched to engage a pin (not shown) carried by bell crank 65.

Arms 63 are held away from the position in which they engage the star wheels on the reel hubs during the Spinning'of the reels, and are progressivelyy released to stop the reels, by a clock mechanism (not shown) which is fully described in my said prior Patent 1,912,992. Figsfl and 3 show a sufficient portion of this mechanism to give an understanding of the mode of operation thereof. When rock shaft 4I is turned to start the spinning of the reels, an arm (not shown)` on said shaft engages a bell crank 13, pivoting the latter in a counter-clockwise direction viewing Fig. 1, against .the tension of a coil spring 14 extending between crank 13 and the frame. This rotation of crank 13 winds up a clock mechanism V(not shown) and moves a clock arm 15 forwardly to a position where forwardly projecting arms (not shown) on said clock arm extend below rearwardly projecting arms (not shown) which form a part of bell cranks 65, it being remembered that these bell crank arms have been raised during this operation by movement of stop arms 63 from engagement with the star wheels on the reel hubs. By reason of this engagement between the projections on clock arm 15, andthe lower ends of bell cranks 65, stop arms 63 are held free from the star wheels to allow the wheels. to spin. As clock arm 15 returns from its forward position under the action of spring 14, the lower ends of bell cranks 65 fall from the forwardly extending projections on clock arm 15, thereby allowing stop arms 63 to engage the star wheels |2-I4 to bring the reels to rest. As will more fully appear from the description .given in my prior Patent 1,912,992, the forwardly extending projections on clock arm 15, which engage the lower end portions of the bell cranks 65, differ in length. By reason of this construction the bell crank arms drop from the clock arm projections at different times so as to bring the reels to rest in different relative positions.

In the particular form of apparatus shown, manually operable means is provided for permitting the operator to bring reels 1 9 to rest in advance of the positions at which the reels would be automatically stopped by the falling of the lower ends of bell cranks 65 from the projections on clock arm 15. This mechanically operated stop means, which is duplicated for each reel, comprisesz a lever 16, pivoted at 11 to the frame, and a link 18 connecting the free end of lever 16 with the forward end of link 12. The forward end of lever 16 carries a lateral projection 19 which is adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed button plunger (not shown) which is mounted in the top wall of the casing. By depressing said spring pressed button against projection 19 link 12 is moved clear of the stud (not shown) by which said link holds arm 63 in engagement with bell crank 65. Arm 63 is then free to move into obstructive engagement with the star wheel on the reel hub so that the reel may be stopped before it would normally be brought to rest by the falling of the lower end of bell crank 65 from the projection on clock arm 15. In this manner the operator may exercise skill in stopping the reels.

, VMechanism is provided for allowing free plays to the operator in accordance with the positions of rest to which the reels are brought. The register which forms the subject matter of the present invention is associated with this free play mechanism, and in order to explain the operation of the register it will first be necessary to describe the free play portion of the apparatus. A detailed description of this free play mechanism is given in my prior Patent No. 1,912,992, and I shall therefore here describe this mechanism-only in sucient detail to give an understanding of its relation to the novel register device.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, mounted in a box shaped housing 8| (Fig. 2) is a stack of horizontally disposed slides 82-81, the rear ends of which engage, respectively, the forward ends of a corresponding series of locking levers 88-93, said slides being urged rearwardly against said levers by coil springs 94. Locking levers 88-93 are pivoted intermediate their ends on a shaft (not shown) and are yieldingly held in locking engagement with the slides by coil springs 95. Slides 82--81 are selectively released by levers 88-93 in accordance with the positions of rest assumed by the reels. This is effected by a series of locking dogs Sii-|00, said dogs being pivoted intermediate their ends on the frame and having on their upper ends horizontally disposed fingers |0| (Fig. 1), the free ends of which normally rest against outer ratchet disc l5. As shown in Fig. 3, discs |5|1 are provided with perforations |02, into which fingers |0| are urged by springs `|03 (Fig. 1) when the reels assume such positions as will bring the perforations into registration with said fingers. The lower ends of locking dogs 96|00 are notched (not shown) to permit of the selective releasing of levers 88--93, this arrangement being such that dog 96 releases the lowermost lever 88 when the positions of the reels are such as to permit the upper end of said dog to enter perforations in the two outer discs I5 and I6. When the upper end of said dog 96 enters perforations in all three discs |5, I6 and I1, it releases the two lower levers 88 and 89. The four remaining dogs 91-100 are each arranged to respectively release levers -93. It is evident, therefore, that retraction of slides 82-81 is thus controlled in accordance with the positions of rest of the reels, the construction being such that when one particular slide of the stack is retracted all of the slides positioned below that particular one will also be retracted.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, slides 82-81 are returned to their advanced position, preparatory to spinning of the reels, by an arm |04 carried by rock shaft 4| and provided at its lower end with a lug |05 which engages a bracket |06 projecting upwardly from a horizontally disposed slide return bar |01. The forward end of bar |01 engages an upturned arm |08 carried by the lowermost slide 82. When rock shaft 4| is turned to spin the reels, bar |01 is shoved forwardly by arm |04 to return such of the slides as have been retracted in the previous play to their normally advanced position where they are locked by levers 88-93.

Continuing the reference to Fig. 3, locking .dogs Sii-|00 are held in non-obstructing position relative to ratchet discs |5|1 by a rest |08 which is carried by apron 59. When rock shaft 4| is turned to start spinning of the reels arm 45 pivots apron 59 upwardly to move rest |08 against locking dogs 96-|00, the latter being thus withdrawn from ratchet discs |5-I1. Rest |08 is released by the clock mechanism (not shown) to permit the locking dogs to fall against ratchet discs |5-|1. To accomplish this function a vertically disposed rod |09 is provided which is connected at its upper end to a laterally extending bracket carried by apron 50. When said apron is raised rod |09 is likewise raised to rest at its lower end on a lever ||2 (Fig. 1) said lever ||2 engaging bell crank 13, being yieldingly held in engagement therewith by a coil spring 3. When rock shaft 4| is actuated bell crank 13 is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction, viewing Fig. l, thereby allowing lever H2 to be moved below rod |09, which during this interval has been raised so that its lower end will clear said lever. As bell crank 13 returns to normal position under the control of the clock mechanism (not shown) lever 2 is gradually moved until it clears the lower end of rod I 09 whereupon it falls under its own weight and moves rest |08 clear of locking dogs B65-|00, the latter being then free to fall into the perforations in ratchet discs |5|1 to stop the reels.

Means is provided for allowing free play of the aforedescribed coin-controlled operating mechanism, said means. being controlled by slides 82-81. Referringparticularlyto Figs. 1, 2 and 4, a wheel ||4 is mounted for free rotation on reel shaft This Wheel is provided on its periphery with a series of numbers, shown in Fig. 1, spaced equally thereon to indicate the position of the wheel with respect to a zero position. These numbers in the embodiment shown are arranged to represent a baseball batting average although it will be apparent that they could be used to indicate a score for any form of game. A transparent panel is provided in the housing or casing (not shown) which encloses the apparatus so as toexpose a portion of the periphery of wheel ||l| and an index pointer H5 which indicates the score as represented by the displaced position of the wheel.

Mechanism is provided for displacing wheel ||4 from a starting or zero position in accordance with the position assumed by slides E32-81. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, immediately adjacent the inner hub portion of wheel H4, and rigid on shaft are a pair of oppositely toothed ratchet wheels H6 and I1, the latter being in close frictional engagement with the hub of wheel i4 so that normally the two ratchet wheels and wheel H4 turn together as a unit on shaft il. Wheel |4 is positioned in accordance with thedisplaced positions assumed by slides 82-81 through a slide bar ||8 (Fig. 3) which carries a lever H3, the latter being fulcrumed at |2| (Fig. 1) on said bar. Lever l i3 moves with slide bar 8, the free end thereof resting on the upper edge of a bracket |22 (Fig. 4), the free end portion of said lever aifording a support for a stepped arm |23 which is pivoted at |24 to a frame support. Arm |23 is provided with six steps |25 and similarly slide bar i8 is provided with six such steps 23, the steps on these members corresponding to the six control slides 82-81. A coil spring |21 (Fig. 3) extending between slide bar ||8 and the frame urges said bar toward the right, viewing Fig. 3, to hold said bar against the forward end of the lowermost of the slides 82-81. It will thus be apparent that the stepped bar |23 will fall from the position shown in Fig. 4 an amount .dependent upon the number of slides i12-81 which are retracted, this being for the reason that lever ||8 which supports said step bar |23 moves with slide bar ||8 and the latter in turn is retracted by coil spring |21 from the position shown in Fig. 3 an amount dependent upon the number of slides which have been retracted through operation of the reels.

Continuing the reference to Fig. 4, the advance of wheel H4 is controlled by the movements of arm |23, the means for this purpose comprising: an arm |23 mounted for free rotation on shaft a pawl |28 carried on the outer end of arm i 28 and normally held in engagement with ratchet wheel H5 by a spring 3|; and a link |32 connected at its lower end to arm |23 and at its upper end to arm |28. It will be evident that the advance rotation imparted to wheel 4 by pawl |28 will depend upon the fall permitted of arm |23. In the embodiment shown these advances of wheel ||4 for each of the six steps on bar |23 are, in order, 2, 4, 8, |2, I6 and 20, steps |25 being shaped to give these displacements of said wheel. For example, if the three lowermost slides v82-85 are retracted, arm |23 will fall a distance of three steps, thereby advancing wheel ||4 eight spaces from the starting position. A coil spring |33 urges arm|23 against lever `||9. A second pawl |34, positioned on the outer end of arm |28, engages ratchet wheel ||1 to prevent overrun of wheel I4 when it is advanced by pawl |29. lArm |28 is raised to return .pawl |29 to its initial driving position on ratchet ||6 by means of an arm |35v (Figi 2) which is pivoted at |36 on a hub |31 which is rigid on main rock shaft 4|. Arm |35 is held in yielding engagement with hub |31 by a coil spring |38 which urges said arm against a stop |39 carried by said hub |31. When rock'shaft 4| is turned to spin the reels, arm |35 is raised to bring a pin |4| against the free end of arm |23, the latter being thus raised to return arm |28 and pawl v|29 to their normal driving position on ratchet wheel i6. Asrock shaft 4| returns to normal position, arm |35 is lowered and the stepped arm |23 is free to fall an .amount determined by the position of lever H9. v

Means is provided for removing pawl |34 from ratchet wheel ||1 as arm |28 is returned to'normal position. This is accomplished by a lever |42, pivoted at |43 on arm |28. This lever is provided at one end with a pin |44 which rests in an inwardly grooved cam surface formed in an arm |45 which projects laterally from' pawl |34. A spring |48, extending between arm |45-and the end of arm |28 holds pawl |34 against ratchet wheel i1.' Lever |42 is turned to raise pawl |34 by a vertically disposed arm |41, the upper end of which is pivoted to the frame at |48. A'curv'ed segment portion |49 of arm |41 engages one end of lever |42. Arm |41 is actuated in the initial turning of rock shaft 4 the lower end of said arm being shoved laterally by a pin |5| (Fig. 2), carried by an arm |52, which is rigid with hub |31 on rock shaft i As armI |52 is raised pin 5| strikes and displaces arm |41 laterally to pivot lever |42, thereby freeing pawl |34 from ratchet wheel ||1, and allowing arm 28 to be raised into position for again actuating ratchet wheel I6.

As long as wheel ||4 is displaced fromI its zero or starting position the machine may be operated without inserting a coin. This action is effected through a lever |53 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is of bell crank form, the forwardly extending arm |54 thereof (Fig. 2) being provided with a hook which engages the upper end of coin trip lever 26. The laterally extending arm |55 (Fig. 1) of said lever |53 carries a lug |56 which is engaged by a stop |51 (Fig. 4) carriedby wheel H4, said stop being so located on the wheel that when the latter is returned to the zero position said stop |51 will strike lug |55, thereby pivoting lever |53 to free arm |54 from coin trip lever 28. It will be evident that when lever 26 is held by arm |54 the effect is the same as though a coin were present in coin chute i8. As soon as wheel ||4 is ad vanced one or more spaces, stop |51 is released from the free end of lever |53, the latter being then pivoted by a spring |58 (Fig. 1) to hook arm |54 over coin trip lever 26. Coin trip lever 26 is thus rendered inoperative so long as wheel 4 is displaced from its starting position, the machine being thus capacitated for free operations. v

Referringv particularly to Fig. 4, means is provided for returning wheel ||4 one step toward its starting position for each operation of the coin-V cntrolled operating mechanism.V An escapement |59, pivoted at I6| to the Vframe, engages the teeth of ratchet wheel II6 and permits the latter, together with wheel II4, to move one step in a counter-clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 4)

for each actuation of said escapement. Escapement |59 is rocked by an arm |62 (Fig. 2) rigidly connected through hub |31 to rock shaft 4|. When shaft 4I is turned to spin the reels arm |62 is raised and brushes past a spring held pawl |63 carried on the lower end of escapement |59, the pivoted movement of said pawl on the escapement being limited by a stop |64.' As rock shaft 4| returns to inoperative position arm |62 strikes pawl |63 on its downward stroke to actuate escapement |59. vWheel I|4 is then returned toward zero position one space per play to bring stop I51in step-by-step movement toward lever |56, the latter being actuated when the wheel reaches zero position to thereafter requirethe insertion of a coin to operate the machine. A

pawl |60, pivoted at I6I, engages ratchet wheel- I1 to prevent advance of Wheel I I4 when arm |28 is being returned to its actuating position, it being remembered that during this return movement pawl |34 is raised to clear ratchet wheel I I1. Pawl I 60 -is actuated from arm |62, thus operating in proper timed sequence with escapement |59.

In the'operation of the coin-controlled operating mechanism and the free play control therefor which has just been described, the score which a player attains as represented by the number of free plays which have been racked up on wheel H4, is indicated by the number on wheel ||4 which appears opposite pointer I I5. A player who the coin chute by the succeeding player. In the4 embodiment shown this resetting of wheel II4 is accomplishedmanually, and the register which formsV the -subject matter of the present invention is operated by this'resetting means and serves to provide a permanent record of the total amount of return movement which is thus imparted to wheel I'I4,th'ereby serving to keep a record of the net result of the operation of the apparatus as represented by the unused free plays, or a score based thereon.

' The manually operable resetting means is shownv in Figs. 2 and 5. Mounted for rotation with lwheelv I I4 on reel shaft II is a wheel |66, the circumferential rim portion for which is provided with a series of spaced holes |61. Wheel |66 is rotated by turning a hand piece |68 (Fig. 5) the latterbeing mounted on a shaft |69 which is journalled in a bearing I1I, the latter being secured by screws |12 to the inner face of the casing wall |10. The inner end of shaft |69 carries a clutch |13 having diagonally disposed laterally projecting cleats |14. Shaft |69 and clutch |13 are normally held in the disengaged position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 5 by a coil spring |15 which is retained on the shaft between hand piece |68 and a socket |16 formedin casing wall |10.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the perforated wheel |66 is turned in a clockwise direction, view- 2, by hand piece |68 and toothed wheel |11, the teeth |18 of which (Fig. 7) are spaced to engage the holes |61 in wheel |66. Wheel |11 is rigid on a shaft |19, the latter being journalled by means of a bearing I 8| in a frame piece |82. A ratchet wheel |83 is lxedly secured to shaft |19 through a collar |84, the latter being pinned to said Shaft |19. Immediately adjacent ratchet wheel |83 on shaft |19 is a spur wheel |85 which drives a register indicated generally by the numeral |86. Spur wheel |85 is mounted for free rotation on shaft |19 through a hub |81. Fixedly secured to spur wheel |85 and arranged to turn with said wheel and hub |81 is a disc |88 which is provided with diagonally disposed pins |89, the latter being engaged by cleats |14 on clutch member |13 when the latter is pushed inwardly against the tension of spring |15. Spur wheel |85 carries a pawl 19| (Fig. 6) which is held by a spring |92 in engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel |83. A coil spring |93 (Fig. 5), confined on hub |81' between disc |88 and a washer |94, holds said hub |81 in close contact with hub |84 on shaft |19.

The operation of the mechanism just described for resetting wheel |I4 is briefly as follows: the operator pushes inwardly on hand piece |68 causlng clutch member |13 to engage posts |89 carried by disc |88. vOn turning hand piece |68 in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 2, ratchet wheel |83 is turned by pawl |9I, and shaft |19, together with toothed wheel |11, are likewise turned. The teeth |18 of Wheel |11 engaging in the holes |61 of wheel |66 turn the latter, together with wheel I I4, in a clockwise direction toward zero position.

Referring to Fig. 2, a pawl and ratchet connection is provided between Wheel I I4 and reel shaft so that the resetting means returns said wheel to the starting position in regular step-by-step movements corresponding to the numbers carried on the periphery thereof. This connection comprises: an arm |95, extending between a pair of spokes of wheel II4, a pawl |96 pivoted on arm |95; and a ratchet wheel |91 rigid on reel shaft I I. When hand piece |68 is turned to reset Wheel I I4, as just described, pawl |96 rides over the teeth ofl ratchet wheel- |91, the teeth of which correspond to the teeth on ratchet wheel I I6 (Fig. 4) thus permitting step-by-step return of wheel ||4 in accordance with the spacing of the numbers carried on the rim thereof. It will be noted that during'this yresetting wheel I I4 turns on reel shaft II independentlyvof ratchet wheels I I6, |I1 and |91, by reason of the friction connection between said wheel II4 and ratchet wheel II1.

The register forming the subject matter of the present invention, as hereinbefore stated, is designed to recordthe total of the unused free plays which in effect corresponds to the accumulated" totals of the'scores Vattained by successive operators of the apparatus. The details of this register are shown in Fig. 5 to which reference is now had. The register, indicated generally by the numeral |86, embodies a counter which is carried in a casing I 98, the latter being supported on a frame piece |99.

form of counter which registers in numerical succession may be used. The reading on the counter is shown through a transparent panel 20| (Fig. 1) it being understood, however, that thel complete register v|86 is preferably enclosed within the casing -of the machine so that, the reading of the counter is not exposed to the operator. A ratchet wheel 202 (Fig. 5) is carried by the counter shaft 203. Mounted for free rotation on counter shaft 203 is a spur wheel 264, the latter being secured to shaft 203 by a washer 205 carried on the end of The internal structure of the counter is not shown inasmuch as any suitableV IEE.

Lio,

. apparent from Fig. 6 that counter shaft 203 will be turned to operate the counter whenever a clockwise turning movement (viewing Fig. 2) is imparted to shaft |79 as a result of manual turning of the latter through hand piece |58. Therefore, the register will be operated to indicate the return movement which is given wheel 4 by hand piece |68, it being understood, of course, that the ratio of spur wheels |85 and 2G13 is such as to effect a one notch or a one numeral turning of the counting discs in the register each time wheel H4 is returned one step toward the starting position. It will also be apparent that the register |86 is not operated by the automatic step-by-step backward turning which is imparted to wheel l It! upon :each operation of the apparatus through escape- .such return movement of wheel H4 because of he pawl and ratchet connection between ratchet wheel |83 and spur wheel |85. Such automatic resetting of wheel l upon each play merely resuits in ratchet wheel |83 turning in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig. 6, during which movement pawl |9| merely rides over the teeth thereof. Register I 86 thus is operated to count up the unused free plays, or to measurea score Corresponding thereto, solely through the manually operated resetting mechanism. The total reading on the register thus indicates the net results of the, operation of the machine since it adds up or tallies the total net score or unused free plays as measured by the return movement given wheel IM through the `manually operated resetting mechanism. n

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a game apparatus, the combination with a normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, and a free play device, including a control element adapted to be displaced by said operating mechanisrn from a normal starting position and adavancedthrough a series of positions away from the starting position, and means controlled by said element for allowing free plays of said operating mechanism in accordance with the extent of displacement of said element from the starting position, of means for resetting said element from an ing mechanism from a normal starting position and advanced through a series of positions away from the starting position, and means controlled by said element for allowing free plays of said operating mechanism in accordance with the extent of displacement of said element from the starting position, of manually operable means for resettingk said element from an advanced position back to the starting position, and a register operated by said resetting means for recording the total number of unused free plays as measured by the extent of return movement imparted to said element by successive operations of said resetting means.

3. In a game apparatuathe combination of ,an

normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, a movable member, means actuated by said operating mechanism for displacing said member from a normal starting position and advancing the same through a series of positions away from the starting position, means controlled by said movable member for capacitating said operating mechanism for effective action without the use of a coin thereinwhen said member is away from the starting position, thus allowing the operator a number of free plays determined in accordance with the extent of displacement of said movable member from the starting position, means for resetting said movable member from an advanced position back to the starting position, and a register operated by said resetting means for recording the total number of unused free plays as measured bythe amount of return movement imparted to saidl movable member by successive operations of said resetting means.Y r

1,4. -Ivn a game apparatus, the combination of a normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, va movable member,:means `actuated by said operating mechanism for displacing said ymember by.

step movements froma normal Astarting position.

and advancing the saine throughl a series Yof positions away from. thev starting position, means controlled by said movable .member forVV capacitating said operating mechanism-foreffective action/without` the use of a coin therein when said member isrfaway `from thestarting positionv thus allowing the operatora number of free plays determined in accordance with the extent of disv placement of said .movable member from Vthe starting position, means for resetting vsaid movablefmember from an advanced position. back to the starting position, means Afor controlling the resetting action to cause a step-by-step return corresponding in reverse order to the step-by-step advance of said member and a register operated by said resetting means for recording the total numberV of unused free plays as measured by the number of step r-eturn movements impartedto said movable lmember by successive operations of said resetting'means. i

5. In a game apparatus, the combination of a normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, a free play control element adapted to be displaced by the operating mechanism from a starting position and advanced through a series of positions away from the starting position, means controlled by said element for rendering the operating mechanism operable without the use of a coin when said element is away from the starting position, thus allowing the operator a numb-er of freel plays determined in accordance with the extent of displacement of said element from the starting position, means for resetting said element to the. starting position, said resetting meansincluding a manually rotatableshaft having driving n# engagement with said control element, a register, and means on said shaft for operating said register to record the number of unused free plays as measured by the extent of return movement imparted to said control element.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination of a normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, a free play device, including a rotatable control element adapted to be turned by the operating mechanism from a normal starting position and advanced through a series of positions removed therefrom, means controlled by said element for allowing free operations of said operating mechanism in accordance with the extent of displacement of said element from the starting position, means for turning said element back to the starting position, and means operated by said last mentioned means for recording the total number of free operations corresponding to the extent of return mov-ement imparted to said control element.

7. Ina game apparatus, the combination of a normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, means for capacitating said operating mechanism for free operation, said means including a movable control element adapted to be displaced by the operating mechanism from a normal starting position, means controlled by said element for limiting the number of free operations in accordance with the extent of displacement thereof from the starting position, means for moving said element back to starting position, and a register operated by said last mentioned means for recording the total number of free operations corresponding to the extent of return movement imparted to said control element.

8. In a game apparatus, the combination of a normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, means for capacitating said mechanism for free operation, said means including a rotatable control element adapted to be turned by the operating mechanism from a normal starting position, means controlled by said element for limiting the number of free operations in accordance with the extent of displacement thereof from the starting position, means for turning said element back to the starting position, and a register operated by said last mentioned means for recording the number of free operations corresponding to the extent of return movement imparted to said control element.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination of normally coin-controlled operating mechanism, free play mechanism, including a control element adapted to be displaced by said operating mechanism from a normal starting position through a series of positions removed therefrom, means controlled by said element for allowing free plays of the operating mechanism in accordance with u the extent of displacement of said element from the starting position, means including a manually rotatable shaft operatively connected with said element for returning the latter to the starting position, a register, and means on said shaft for operating said register to record the number of free plays allowed as measured by the extent of return movement imparted to said control element.

FRED L. MILLS.

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