US2003370A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1935. J. A. KIMBALL 2,003,370

r GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1955 l7 sheets-sheet l A D... A JTM? W hw umuwv @9 M, \A\\\/N .S mw mm. m w A v lll V M v l m M \\I A A Nm %A www A, 4 e@ Q Vw f Y @Y Aww AAAS@ ma m -MM- @W f Aw NN KM @Y N w A \.1 \@v .1. A.' KIMBALL `lune 4, 1935.

GAME APPARATUS FiledJan. 5, 1933 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS June 4, 1935.

Filed Jan. 5, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS June 4, 1935.

Filed Jan. 5, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 v June 4, 1935.

4 J. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS Filed" Jan. 5, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 RNW J. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS June 4, 1935.

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 5, 1933 J. A. KIMBALL June 4, 1935,

GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 19:55

7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 4, 1935 yUNITED STATES eArENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS John A. Kimball, Taylorville, Ill. Application January 5, 1933, Serial No, 650,277

Claims.

This invention relates to games and game apparatus of the kind employing a marble play board, eld, way or course and marbles for rolling thereover, there being provided a series of holes or pockets for the marbles to roll-into and upon the relative values of which the scoring depends.

The prime object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus of this kind, wherein the course f of the marbles is not left entirely to chance but may be governed verylargely by the skill of the players.

Another object is to provide in a game apparatus of this nature a form of marble play board or eld made up' of a plurality of flat shifter strips or slats assembled edge-wise, side by side, each being adapted for independent lateral or sidewise tilting for throwing the rolling marbles laterally from one slat to another in the course of the play, as may be required by the rules oi the game for scoring purposes.

Another object is to provide in a marble game apparatus of the kind referred to a marble play board or field comprising a plurality of flat shifter strips or slats assembled edgewise, side by side, each slat having a number of hazards or marble traps arranged in spaced relation and each slat being free to tilt lateraly for rolling the marbles from one slat to another for avoiding the various hazards of the various slats, whereby the marbles may be iinally brought Vto certain positions or pockets upon the board for scoring purposes.

Another object is to provide in a marble game apparatus of the kind referred to, a marble play board or play iield normally inclined towards the player, whereby the marbles will normally roll from the opposite end of the board or iield down towards the player and into scoring pockets or positions, the said marble board or field. compris- Yslats arranged edge-wise, side by side, each being adapted to independently tilt side-wise for the purpose of throwing the marbles laterally from slat to another for avoiding hazards, or traps, with means for reconveying the marbles to the far end of the board after they are played d own, means ior aligning them up again at the far end for new plays, and means for starting the marbles down over the board or field from their line-up. l

Another object is to provide in a game apparatus of the kind referred to, a marble play board or way normally inclined towards the player, the same comprising a plurality of independent Vshift-- er slats arranged' edgewise, side by side, in a common plane, each being adapted to freely 'tilt laterally for throwing the; marbles from slat to Slat and also to slide lengthwise as means for starting the marbles from their line-up at the far or rear end of the board. l,

Another object is to provide in a game appara- 5 tus of the kind referred to, a marble play board or field or way, made up of a number of independent shifter slats arrangededgewise inl a common plane and adapted both for'lateral tilting movement and longitudinal sliding movement, the said slats being each provided with a number of spaced marble traps or hazards from end to end, the slats being separated by stationary and longitudinally spaced fence strips or sections immediately adjacent the hazards, whereby marble ports are provided between therends of thefence strips at points intermediate the hazards, through which marbles may roll from oneslat to another as the slats are tilted in the course' of play, the said board beingjnormally'inclined towards the 20 player, a distributor head at the opposite or rear end of the board for receiving and lining up the marbles for play, there being a-transversely eX- tended line-up recess between and formed by the forward margin of the distributor head and the aligned rear ends of the said slats, means for reconveying the marbles from the forward endof the apparatus, after they are-played down over the board, back to thedistributor head forreplaying again, and means for lining them up again in the said line-up recess preliminary to playing them. i

Another object is to provide in a game apparatus of `the kind referredto, the combination of a stationary supporting framea tilting box or frame pivotally mounted therein and adapted normally to tilt down at its front or forward end to a position somewhat inclined below therear end, a similarly inclined marble play board or field supported within the tilting frame and comprising a plurality of shifter slats provided with spaced hazards or marble traps, 'the slats being adapted each independently to tilt laterally or move longitudinally for controlling thevcourse of marbles thereupon-the slats being separatedby fence strips spaced longitudinally along between them, thereby providing marble ports through which the marbles may run laterally from slat to slat, a distributor head at the rear end ofthe tilting frame and marble-board for receiving and l lining up the marbles for play, a marble run-way fixedly mounted in the tilting frame and normally inclined downwardly similarly to the marble board, but adapted when reversely tilted with the tilting frame, to convey any marbles thereupon 545 back to the said distributor head for replaying, means for conveying the marbles to the runway as and after they are played down over the marble board, a coin controlled marble stop mechanism arranged to control the rolling of marbles through the run-way towards the distributor head when the frame and run-way are tilted up at the front endfor that purpose, the operation (and cyclic) of said mechanism and the consequent ow of the marbles depending upon the insertion of a coin and the subsequent tilting up and then back down again, of the tilting frame.

Another object is to provide in a game appa-- ratus of the kind referred to, a tiltable marble play board, a marble run-way into which the marbles may run from the boardafter theyare played thereover, a coin controlled marble stop mechanism for controlling the flow of marbles through the run-way, the operation and successive resetting ofthe said mechanism depending `both upon the insertion of a coin and the subsequentV tilting upv and lback again of the said marble board.

With the foregoing and such additional objects and advantages in View as may be developed in the course of the following specification, attention isY now directed to the accompanying drawlngsasexemplifying certain practical embodiments of the invention, and kwhich constitute a part vof this specication, and wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of one preferred form `of thegame apparatus which constitutes the subject matter of the present invention. Figure2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 Vof Figure 2,

Figure 5' is an enlarged, fragmental and sectional detail showing lin end View an assembly comprising one'of the tiltable shifter slats, lateral fence strips and supporting elements therefor.V

Figure 6`is a view looking forwardly at the rear end of the tiltingfframe 'constituting an improved part: of the embodiment now being described, the outer end plate or board of the tilting frame being removed to show the parts'including the marble elevator.v Y Figure '.7 is an inside view or elevation of the side board ofthe tilting frame, an end View thereofappearing at the left in Figure 6, the said board carrying the operating rod controlling the marble elevator and other elements, a medial part of the said board and ,rod being shown as broken out.

Figurev 8 is a detail of onel of the latches for re Vleasably securing the inner tilting frame to the outer supporting stand or frame, a pair of these latches bei-ng pivoted rupon the side boards or plates of the tilting frame in transverse alignment, and adapted to engage a cross rod of the outer frame, the crossrod being shown insectionand, a medial fragment only of one of the sideboards being shown.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of the locking mechanism for locking the inner tilting frame to the outer supporting frame, to prevent unauthorized access to the money box mounted at the underside of the tilting frame.

Figure l is a section on the line Ure 9'. v Y

Figure 1l is-a sectionY on the line I l--l l of Figure 9^. y

Figure 1-2 is -anv enlarged detail in plan of the contact bracket for the rear end of the operating rod, the same being shown pivotally attached to thev under edgeof the endplate or board of the Iii-i6 of Figouter frame, a fragment of the latter being shown.

Figures 13 and 14 are details in enlarged plan view of the outer end of the pocket shutter or slide, as slidably mounted through the front end of the tilting frame or box immediately below the marble scoring pockets (not shown in these views), showing the coin stop-lever operating trigger pivoted thereto. In Figure 13, this trigger is shown in its position as automatically assumed as the front end of the tilting frame is eleif'atedas shown in Figure 3. In Figure le, the trigger is shown in the position it assumes as the iront end of the tilting frame is again lowered to the position shown in Figure 2.

Figure l5 is a side elevation upon a greatly enlarged scale of a section of the inner side board or plate at the right hand side of the tilting frame showing in detail the marble run-way, the forward end of the marble stop lever, the coin chute, and the spring-set coin stop levers.

Figure i6 is a detail in side elevation of a lower Yfragment of the coin box as supported in place under the til-ting frame by means of a turn latch engaging cross pieces en the frame.

Figure l? is a plan View ci a Amodiied and simpli'led structure or form of game apparatus, wherein the supporting frame is dispensed with, the apparatus being set upon any ordinary table vandtilted at the forward `end as desired for running the marbles back for realignment at the rear end. The separate marble run-Way is dispensed with and vforms -of hazards are provided upon the shifter slats which permit the returning ef the marbles back over the marble board itself. The coin controlled mechanism is also dispensed with.

Figure 1S is asection on' the line |8-l8 in Figure 17.

Figures 19 and 20A are enlarged detail views of two forms of hazards usable upon the forms of marble boa-rd shown in Figures 'l' and 18, for permitting the direct return of the marbles over the boards, thereby dispensing with return chutes.

Figure 2l is a longitudinal vertical section e5 through yet another form of apparatus, showing two reversely inclined marble decks or boards, the upper boardY constituting the marble play board proper and the lewer censtituting the return board for reconveying the marbles to the 50 rear end of the structure for replaying.

Figure 22 is a section on the line ZZ-22 of Figure 2l.

Figure 23 is a planview of the forward portion of the form of apparatus represented in 5.3 Figures 2l and 22, the rearward portion of the upper marble play board being further broken away to show the underlying structures.

Figure 2e is a longitudinal, vertical section through the final form of the apparatus as herein shown and described, the same being in fact more particularly a variation from the form or embodiment of Figures 2l, 22 and 23.

Figure 25 is a section on the line 25-25 of Fig-ure 24. v

As exemplified in Figures l to i6 inclusive, the invention comprises a stationary, elongated, rectangular supporting frame I mounted upon legs 2 and including side plates or beards 5, a front and plate 4 and a rear end plate 5. A pivot rod tended transversely through this frame a little rearwardly of the center, and has its chcred in the side plates 3. A money box nous ig 'l is likewise extended transversely of the frame forwardly of the rod 6, its ends being also secured 75 to the side plates, this housing being left open at its upper' side. An operating rod or lever contact bracket 8 is pivoted at 9 to the under side of the rear end plate 5, and a stop plate I8 is extended across the forward end of the frame at theunder side thereof, having its ends securedt'o the side plates. A tilt regulator block i! is pivotedat l2 medially at the upper side of the plate i8, the same being larger at one end than the other, as

shown.

A stop hanger |3 is hinged at i4 to the inner face of the right hand plate 3, near the rear end thereof within a recess `|5 formed therein, and extending down ends in an inwardly turned stop foot |E which may be` thus swung inwardly or outwardly upon the hinge I4. Forwardly of the hanger S3, a lock bracket |1 is secured at it to the plate 3 and has an inwardly turned foot I9 pierced with a hole 28. A at lock bar 2| is slidably extended within a longitudinal recess 22 formed in the inner face of the right hand plate 3 between the hanger recess l5 with which it communicates, and the lock bracket i1 which overlies the forward end of the recess 22, the bar 2| passing back of the bracket I1 and ending in an inturned foot 23 adapted to coact with the apertured foot i9 of the bracket l1 for engaging the looped bolt 240i a padlock 25. The bar 2| islong enough that its rear end 25 may slide back of the lower part of the hanger I3 when the latter is vswung outwardly from its recess i5, thus locking the foot i5 to its out-thrust position for a purpose which will be later pointed out. Obviously, too, when the padlock is removed, the bar 2| may be slid forwardly and the foot I3 may then be swung back. An elongated, rectangular tilting box or frame 21 is tiltabiy mounted within the frame The frame El comprises a left side plate 28, a rear end plate 23, front end plate 38, and two spaced apart, right side plates 3| and 32, which may be referred to as inner and outer side plates. The terms right and left as herein used, have reference to the operator standing at the front end of the apparatus indicated by the end plates 4 and 3|)H and looking rearwardly towards the plates 5. and 29. The end plates are preferably' made long enough to cover the ends of the side plates 28,' 3 '32, leavnig the working space 33 between the plates 3| and 32j The inner frame 21 isv notched or slotted in transversealignment, 'as shown at 34,`at points `upon thelower edges of the side plates thereof somewhat rearwardly of the center'and so as Vto substantially register with the pivot rod 6 Aof the frame The frame 21 is thuspivotally mounted 'within the frame by positioning the notches or slots 34 over the rod 5. In this position'the forward end of the frame 21 will normally tilt down upon the block i, and the degree of such tilt may 'be regulated somewhat by reversing the block frame 2l may be locked to the rod 6 by means of hooked latches pivoted at 38 to the outer faces of the side plates 28 and32 and adapted to close over the. notches 34, as clearlyshown in Figure 8. By passing screws 31 through the ends of the latches into the plates, the two frames may be securely locked together. Six major cross braces or supports 38, 39, 40, 4|, 42,43, are extended is spaced substantially rearwardly towards the rear end of the frame, as shown in Figure 2. The remaining supports 42, 43, are located in spaced relation atthe rearend of the frame, the support 42 being also spaced from the support 4|, as shown. A number of minor cross supports 45 may also be provided if desired. A marble play board or field is arranged at the upper sides or edges of the cross supports including the supports 38 and 4 i the same comprising a plurality of stationary, longitudinally extended and transversely and regularly spaced bearing strips or slides 45 for the shifter slats to slide upon in manner later to be described. Thin fence strips 4 1 Vof sheet metal or the like are set upright in longitudinal alignment along the median lines of the several slides 46 and these fence strips are also spaced apart longitudinally,

so as to provide marble ports 48 between ltheirV ends. As shown in Figure 5, the strips or slides 45 may be each made up of two halves 46a, 4513, holding the rence strips 41 pinned between them. A plurality of thin, flat shifter slats 49 are mounted for longitudinal sliding movement between the several sets of longitudinally aligned fence strips 41, the slats being of a length to extend from the end support 38 to the forward edge of the rearwardly spaced support 4| and being reinforced at their undersides by the addedcenter strips .53,1 as shown in Figures 2, 4 rand 5. A plurality of iff marble trap holes or hazards 5| are Vv,formed through the slats 49 and strips 58, the same being arranged in spaced relation from Yend to endof the slats, and being preferably so disposed as to fall oppositely to the fence strips '41 and not oppoe i sitely to the ports 48, as clearly shown in Figure ,1, so as to enable marbles to be shifted from one shifter slat to'another, through the fence or marble ports 48, without falling through the holes 5|.

The vforward ends of the slats 49 carry upstanding t voperating pins 52, as shown in Figures l and 2. IA 'cover plate 53 is mounted over the `forwardends Yof the slats 49, the same having spaced recesses 54 along the forward margin to accommodate the pins 52 in the manipulation or the slats 49 and e.

their longitudinal sliding and lateral tilting action, the plate 53 clearing the ends of the slats suiliciently to allow for such action. The slats 49 are resiliently held to their seats Aand to their for- Awardmostpositions, b-y means of coil springs |24 connecting'the ends of *the slats with adjacent cross parts of the frame 21, the forward springs being angularly positioned as shown in Figure 2 for normally drawing the slats forwardly. Immevdiately back or" the plate 53, a series of transversely aligned lscoring holes or pockets 55 are formed throughthe slats 49, and immediately across the under side'of these holes is slidably mounteda scoring hole shutter 5G, the same sliding through the upper part ci' the marble-way 44, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 13 and 14. This shutter is also pierced with marble holes 5l adapted to register with the scoring'holes 55 when the'shutter is movedoutwardly to the position shown inFigure 13`y but closing over those holes when the shutter is moved inwardly, as shown in Figure 14. A distributor head 58 is rigidly mounted at the .rear end ofthe frame 21, the same being extended rearwardly from and somewhat above the upper edge ofl the cross brace 42 and being anchored at its ends to the side plates 28, 3 l, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6. This head is arranged substantially in the same plane with the upper marble play board, and the raised forward margin 52 forms inV conjunction with the aligned rear ends of the shifter slats 49,

which as stated normally extend only to the for-y ward upper corner of the brace 42, a transversely extended marble aligning recess 63, which is inclosed at its rear side by the frame end plate 29, into which marbles may roll from the head 58 and become automatically aligned for playing. An elevator recess 68 is formed medially in the rear end of the head 58 for the reception of the block 64 of the marble elevator 56, as will later be described in detail. The head 58 is provided with a set of flaring fence strips 41a radially extending from the elevator 59 to and connecting with the main fence strips 41 which are extended rearwardly across the recess 63. Corner blocks |2| are mounted on the rear corners of the head 58, a curved or inturned marble run-way 6B being cut in the right hand block and leading out into the elevator recess 68, the curved run-way 6|l'being a continuation of the main marble run-way 6| later to be described. The marble elevator 59 comprises a relatively short block 64 having the laterally extended arms 65' and forwardly 'extended frame 6G which has a free bearing at. its forward end upon a ledge 61 projected from the rear faceof the cross brace 42. The block 54 is adapted to play up and down. freely within the clearance 68 provided for it at the rear end of the distributor head 5,8 and in its lowered position, as shown in Figure 6, is in alignment with and forms a continuation of the inturned end 60 of the marble run-way 6|, the adjacent end of the block 64 being held slightly raised by means of'a prop 69 arranged upon the cross brace 43, wherebythe marbles will readily run into place upon the lowered block. This elevator is raisedand lowered by means of a cam 10 pivoted at 1| to the rear face of the brace 43-below the elevator, a spring 1 la having an end secured to the cam arm 12 and the opposite end of the spring being connected with the rear, inturned loop 13 of the operating lever 14. After forming the loop 13, the inturned end of the lever 14 is extended angularly downward, as shown at 15, and passes slidably under the contact bracket 8 already referred to, whereby the spring 1 a is normally drawn taut or tensioned when the forward end of the tilting frame 21 is lowered, thus turning the cam 10 up against the elevator 58 and raising same to the level of the distributor head 58, as shown in Figure 2, and allowing any marbles 16 to run off onto the head. The relation between the size or diameter of the marbles used and Vthe spaces 11 separating the converged ends 41h of the fence strips 41a, and the length of the elevator block 54, is such that the block will just carry the entire number of marbles used with the apparatus, that is to say, a number equalling the number of shifter slats 49, and so that as the elevator is raised in manner described, the ends 41h of the strips 41a will exactly separate the marbles as they roll olf of the block 64, thus directing a. marble down over each of the shifter slats 49 between the fence strips 41. The main portion of the operating lever or rod 14 extends along within a groove 18 formed longitudinally in the inner face of the outer side plate 32 of the frame 21, being rotatablylocked therein by screw plates 19. The forward end of this lever is turned upwardly as shown at and disposed within a recess 8|, a continuation and lateral enlargement of the groove 18, at a point laterally adjacent the outer extremity 82 of the shutter 56, which extremity is adapted to pass in and out of the recess 8|, as best shown in Figures 13 and 14.

A pin B3 is extended from the forward margin of this outer extremity of the shutter 55, athwart the upturned end 88 of the lever 14. Thus the inward movement of the lever end 89 caused by the rotation of the main lever rod 14 serves to force the shutter 56 inwardly. A co-in stop mechanism operating trigger 84 is pivotally pinned, as shown at 85, to the upper side of the extremity 62 of the shutter 56, the inner end or toe 86 of the trigger having a sliding bearing upon the outer face of the inner side plate 3| rearwardly of the pivot point and immediately in front of the forward end of the upper coin stop operating lever 81a. A spring 88 is coiled around the pin 85 and has its ends braced or anchored to the trigger and said extremity respectively, the spring being set and tensioned to normally project the shutter 56 outwardly to the position shown in Figure i3 and with the holes 51 of the shutter in registry with the scoring holes or pockets 55 and so that such of the marbles 16 as may run into those pockets, will then fall down through the holes of the shutter and into the marble-way 44 beneath. The trigger 84 is formed with an angle 82 medially of its length and upon the side adjacent the side plate 3|, which coming in contact with the plate as the shutter 56 is pressed inward serves as a fulcrum against the plate, causing the toe 86 to snap out and over the end of the lever 81a as the frame 21 is lowered at its forward end, this action resulting from Vthe shutter 56 being simultaneously pressed inward by the lever end 8i), as clearly shown in Figure 14, the said lever being spring set to normally slide forwardly, in manner later to be described.

Interiorly of the frame 21 and below the marble play board or field already described, is mounted s a marble return board 90 which covers all the space between the side plates 28 and 3| and between the cross braces 39 and 4|, being secured in place by nails 9| through its margins or in any conventional manner. clined downwardly both towards the front end of the frame 21 and the right hand side thereof or towards that side carrying the operating lever 14, the braces 39 and 40 being tapered endwise for this purpose, as shown in Figure 2, so

that theframe 21 in its normal or playing position, with its front end lowered as in Figure 2, marbles falling down through the trap holes 5| or through the pockets 55 and shutter holes 51, will roll out through the marble exit 92 provided for that purpose through the inner side plate 3| at theloWer most point of the board 99, and onto the marble run-way 5| already referred to. This run-way comprises strips 6 la, 6 |17 angularly secured to the router face of the inner side plate 3|, by nails 93 or the like, in such relation as to form a marble pocket 94 at their abutting ends, the strip 6| b being directed upwardly and rearwardly, as shown in Figures 3 and 15, and leading to the inturned portion of the run-way 6D already referred to. The outer side plate 32 constitutes the outer wall of the run-way 6|, which leads rearwardly as stated and communicates with the inturned portion 60 leading onto the marble elevator 59. A coin chute 95 is fastened as shown This board 90 is inat 90 to theouter face of the inner plate 3|, and leads down into a coin box 91, which isremovably inserted within spaced cross pieces 98 mounted upon the under side of the marble board 90, being removably locked therein by means of a latch 99 rotatably pinned at |00 to the under side of the box, the ends of the latch when turned out being adapted to engage a slot I0|` cut in one of the pieces 98 and a hook |52 mounted upon the other piece s3. The upper, side of the box is left open for the removal of coins, such as represented at |03. Access is had to the under side of the frame 21 for the `removal of the coin box, by removing the padlock 25, and drawing the end of the bar 2| from behind Vthe hanger I3, allowing that hanger to swing back into its recess. The frame 21 may ,then be turned upside down upon the rod 6, thus bringing the coin box uppermost. The front and rear margins of the coin chute are cut away, forming aligned openings. |04, |05, at a point immediately above the coin box 91 and above the marble run-way 6I. A train of coin stop levers 31a, 81h, 81e, already referred to, are respectively -slidably, pivotallyk and slidably mounted at |06, |01 and |08 upon the face of the plate 3| forwardly of the chute 95, the levers 81a and B'Ic being longitudinally extended in overlapping and vertically spaced relation as shown in Figure l5, and being operatively connected by means of the pivoted lever 81h having its ends engaging notches |03 cut in the ends of the levers. A looped spring I|0 secured at III to the plate 3| and braced at its ends between a screw I I2 and the rear end of the upper lever 81a, normally urges thatv lever 81a forwardly into contact with the aligned rear end or toe 86 of the trigger 84 in a manner heretofore pointed out, and of course simultaneously urges the lower lever 81e rearwardly. The lower lever 81e is horizontally aligned with the openings |04, |05 of the coin chute and the rear end of this lever carriesa shoe I|3 adapted to close over the adjacent opening |04 as the lever slidesv rearwardly through the action of the spring I|0. A hooked marble stop lever I I 4 is pivoted at I I5 to the plate 3|, the rear hooked end I I5 thereof slightly overbalancing the opposite straight end I I1 which is disposed within the rear opening |05 of the coin chute. Thus the hooked end IIB normally falls down upon the run-way strip Gib in such manner as to prevent and stop the run of marbles rearwardly through the run-way even when theV the frame 21 is tilted for that purpose. However, the arrangement is such and the mechanism is so nicely adjusted, that the weight of a coin |03 inserted into the coin chute through the mouth I I8 thereof and falling upon the end I|1 of the stop `lever H4, will suice to depress the end I|1 and raise the hook I i6, releasing the marbles 16 which will then roll rearwardlyagain and out upon the depressed elevator 50 when the front end of the frame 21 is raised for that purpose. The act of so raising the front end simultaneously turns the lever end outwardly into the recess 82, thereby permitting the shutter 50 to move out under the action of the spring-set trigger 84, and permitting any marbles in the pockets 55 to escape into the run-way, in manner already set forth. During this time the operating coin |03 has remained poised upon the lever' end I |1, being held there by the-shoe I I3, and coincidently the toe 86 of the trigger 84 has been drawn forwardly and snaps down close to the plate 3| against the forward end of the lever 81a in readiness to shove that lever rearwardly coincidently 'with the lowering againof thefront end of` the` frame 21.

Therefore', asthat end is lowered, the lever end 80 again forces the shutter 5S inwardly and simul- V taneously the lever toe 86 pushes the lever 81a rearwardly and the .lever 81o and shoe ||3 are drawn forwardly, thus releasing the coin |03 and allowing it to fall down into the `coin box. A glass cover H3 is mounted upon the top of the tilting-frame 21 and secured in lplace by marginalstrips |20. f

' In theoperation of this game apparatus as so far shown and described, .the scoring pockets or holes 55 may be valued and numbered as may be desired orY as indicated in Figure 1. Additionallythe margins of these pockets ,maybe variously .colored to correspond with the colors of the marbles'used in play and added or increased scores given to the players .who succeed in playing the colored marbles into pockets of thesame color. Any such special rules or instructions may be printed upon thel cover plate 53. VThe player rst inserts'a coin |03 in the coin chute 95. I-l'e may then raise the front vend of the tilting frame 21 and runthe marbles rearwardly and out onto the block 00 of the elevator 59 which at this time is depressed 'for the reasonsr hereinbefore stated. The player then lowers the front end of the frame 21, which act raises the elevator and allows the marbles to run out each through its separate V:fenced run-way down into the align- The upper edge of the block (i4V vreaches and falls through that hole, .the player by tilting the pin 52 laterally may'cause the marble to run laterally through the adjacent marble port i8 and onto an adjacent slat 49.V The marble then runs down that slat towards the next trap hole and the player may prevent its falling through same by then tilting the pin of that slat and causing the marble to run laterally through still another port onto the next adjacent slat e9, and so on repeatedly until the marble is either successfully land-ed in one of the scoring pockets 55, or falls through one of the trap holes 5| before reaching such pocket. Thus the game continues until all thevmarbles are played out from the aligning recess 03. f I' In Figures 1'1 to 20 are provided a modied form of game apparatus and modified forms of marble pockets and hazards, it being here contemplated that the marbles, after they are played down to the front end of the board, will be realigned at the rear end for replayng, by merely tilting the board up at the forward end, allowing theimarbles to run' back rearwardly over the play board itself. ferent forms of marble traps .or hazards, than trap holes through which the marbles fall.r The'frame 21a takes the place of the-frame 21, and is provided at its rear endv with a cross brace 42a corresponding to' the brace 42, .except it is extended down through the underside of the structure tovform a foot |30 serving to raise the rear end of the apparatus for vrunning the marbles forwardly over the play board. This play board or el-d `'is' constructed and arranged similarly This action necessitates difshifter Aslats 49a. However, Vthe marble traps or hazards as well as the s'oririgpockets, here take the form of marble stops' l or 5 l'b, the former being raised wedge-shaped stops tapering forwardly and the latter wedge-shaped depressions tapering rearwardly. In the use f either, 'it will'beseen that while they will serveto stop the marbles in their forward course; they will not prevent them running rearwardly again. The distributor head 58a forms with the slat ends an aligning re- 'ess 63a atop the brace H.' The marble elevator 59a carri-'es a block Gi which plays into the recess "58a at the rear end 'of the head 58a. This elevator is operated by means of a handlever '14a which is extended through supports '19a from end to end of the frame, therear'endbeing bent inlward as shown at '15dY and disposed under lthe elevator, the forward 'end 80a of the lever being also bent inwardand extended across under the "traine, out through a slot 'irormed throughth'e side of the frame, and ending inthe handle h. Raised 'scoring "pockets Y55a are provided 'at the roijwai-d ends 'of the shifter slats 49a. springs 'ITM holdlthe 'slats to their seats. The provision 'br-Tence strips dl, marble ports 48a, slide bearings Mir 'separate the fence vstrips 'and the shifter slats, and the latter are manipulated by means 'of tl'xe'p'in's 52a;y as "set'out in the description of 'the fr'st apparatus. It is thought that the op eratien 'of this apparatus will be `ully 'understood from there'goin'g' description taken in connectionwi'th the description 'of the apparatus shown inthe Figures 1 to 16.

l fStill 'another form 'of 'the 'game apparatus is in'Figure's 21, 22, 23. in this orrn the 'tenti're 'casing frame `o`r housing 21o remains 'stationary 'at all times. A marble play board "or nerd "is employed 'which is Agenemuy similar to the described boards 'of the precedingforms in that vthey 'are 'm'ade up 'of a plurality 'of shifter slats 49o slida'biy mounted upon `slide strips Jtty, whiefthey vare 'held by the 'springs "124e, 'The `f'o'r'w'ajrd Aends of these slats Y'carry operating pins 52'cfand 'their rear ends are 'aligned at the l'for- @Ward upper 'corner or the cross brace "42cto form the."fo`rwaid"inargin of the marble aligning recess 6`3, the -rear margin "being formed vby the V"distributor head 58e. Similarly spaced fence strips Ille "are arrange'dfbetween the slats 449C, there 'being'le'ftthemarble'ports y412e Ibetween the ends "or vthe rences'ections. However, in this forman oranyjpart of the trap holes v51o `may be -used as `scoring pockets :and may be lnumbered yand 'c'cloredas desired. In Yfurtherance -of such use, the holes 51e are arranged LAin longitudinally "spaced, transversely extended V4rows, as shown in Figure '23, and a slidable shutter 'frame is pro- 'videdand `mounted immediately below the holes j51C. trame comprises a -flatfbar |41) which is Sslidably mounted Vthrough cross-braces 141 and carries upon its upper lface a `"number of spaced cross fslats i|42 ladapted to 'cover the under-sides ef the iholes '51C lwhen the frame Vvis moved back to 3its lfront-most limit, sothat marbles rolling ldown the play zboard and falling into the 'holes Effe"w'ii'lib'e heldthereforl'scoringlpurposes. Howeverffby'rnerely pushing this shutter frame 'rear- "wardl'yjthe holes will'beopenso Ethat-anymarbles 'resting therein will "fall 4through-and upon the 'Inable 'return board ttc. A c'oils'pring 1|43nor vina'lly `drafws nthe -f'shutter vframe lfo-rx'yardly '5to i-ts Lholeclosing position. `A coinv controlled --mech-- -ia'nl's'm I *including `-an `voperating Alever 2145 fof 'conventional structure, is 'mounted through the front end lplate-311e and v7the inner end of this lever is connected, as shown at '146, with the forward end of the'bar |40. Thus the 'insertion of a coin in the mechar'iism |44 enables the player to push back the shutter frame and release mar- CII The marble return board 911e is tilted both rear- Y wardly and laterally asshcwn, the forward end being secured to the Vcross braces 14| and the rear end connecting with the inner end plate V141, which is providedmediallgT at its 'lower sidewith the elongated elevator rod 'slot 1.48, and laterally at a point immediately Yabove the meeting line of the board Stcwith the Wedge-shaped marble aperture 149. The outer end plate 29e of this structure-is kspaced from the inner plate M1, and side blocks 150, |51, are vmounted therein at eacn side, thereby forming a medial, vertical elevator lway 15,2 in which is slidably mounted the elevator block |53 'provided at its lower vmargin with the outstanding recessed stud |54 for engaging the rear end of 'the -elevator operating rod 155, the said stud protruding into the slot |48. The side block 15B is provided with a marble slot 156 aligned with the aperture r|49 at their outer ends. The marble slot |55 is inclined inwardly and downwardly and leads to the top ofv the elevator block 1153. Thus marbles '16 rolling down the board BUC will roll through the Iaperture V||9and down the slot 15S onto'the elevator |53, as shown.

A'This elevator israised and lowered by means of the `operati-ng rod l155 which lextends forwardly and is rigidly connected fat a point substantially spaced from-its 'forward end to the pivot rod |51, the endsof which are journaledtransversely in the opposite sides T58, 1'59 of the casing. The forward 'end 116!! of the lever is V'extended out through a slot V61 in the .side of the housing and ends `in 'the `handle i162. A mere downward pressure lupon 'the handle serves to raise the elevator block |53fand marbles 16 to the -level of the 'distributor board '58o over which they run and Afall into the .lining up recess '63e through the .fence fstrips' JlHc in manner as already pointed out for -thefother forms 'of structure. The marbles :are played'from the :lining vup recess in the same manner 4-a's already described with reference to the precedingstructures. v`'I'hefcoin box 10 of this structure is -mounted `just inside the front Yend-"of `their-ame.

vThe-embodiment of theapparatus represented in Figures 24 and 25 is substantially similar to 'that'of Figures 21, 212,123, except for ythedevlces 'for "elevating the :marbles or fballs to the ,play board =or field '-after ythey have been played through thescoring holes -51'd and i'all upon 'the vreturnboard d. This fboard is made in two `end sections -hingedly-connected ybfy'a hinge -rod |511, the 'forward lend of the fboard being Axed stationary and the rear endbeing tiltable up and 'downas represented indotted lines in Figure'24, -so Ithatthe rear-margin 'describes lan farc, the rear end plate 29d being arcuate upon its inner side on a vertical section, las shown at |55, so Aas to accurately 'andznicely-raccommodate -the oscilla- Idiat'elyibelow the movable rear end of `the `:board 90d, 'an 'elevatorfsupporting strip 1&1 vis mounted,

the forward end thereof being turned up and also hinged upon the rod |64 and the rear end being extended beneath the elevator recess 68d of the movable rear end of the board 90d. An elevator block 64d is transversely mounted at the rear end of the strip 61 and adapted to freely pass into the recess 88d. An arcuate leaf spring 68 is pinned at |59 to the under side of the rear end of the board 99d, the extremities of the spring being turned up and having a sliding bearing upon the strip 61. The action of this spring is normally to repel the strip IS7 from the board 90d, thereby maintaining the marble recess 58d substantially open for the inflow of the marbles I5. An angular operating rod l55d, in the nature of a bell crank lever, has one leg pivoted as shown at upon the upper side of a block i1! extended transversely across between the sides mdd, 5963 of the frame, the perpendicular leg thereof being extended rearwardly along the under side of the strip |61 and having a free bearing up against the strip as shown at |12. An end of the rod l55d is extended out through a side of the frame and continues in the form of an upright operating handle ending in the knob |73. In the use of this form of the apparatus, the marbles will roll down the board 90d into the recess 68d. A forward pull upon the handle H3 elevates the strip It?V which carries the movable rear end of the board 95d and also the block 64d and marbles 'I5 up into the recess 68d of the head 58d. A further and relatively strong pull upon the handle then serves to force the block 56d on up through the recess 63d so that the marbles 'I5 will roll out and down over the distributor head 58d, in manner as heretofore pointed out in respect of the other forms of apparatus. In other respects than as above differentiated, this structure is substantially like that of Figures 2l, 22, 23. It will be noted however, that by virtue of the hinged sections of the marble return board SE2d, a shallower frame or box may be used than is the case with the other arrangement.

While I have herein shown and described certain forms and embodiments of my invention, it is understood that I am not limited in structural details to the various forms shown, but that the same may be varied as desired, within the scope of the appended claims. Also, while the invention is here referred to as a marble game apparatus, it is apparent that the same may be used with balls of larger size if desired, by constructing the apparatus accordingly. In fact, this game apparatus may be constructed to a size commensurate with bowling alleys and the same principles applied and used therein.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus employing a spherical play element, supports, a number of rigid shifter slats arranged side by side thereon and forming a play field, each slat being independently adapted both for longitudinal sliding movement and lateral tilting movement as means for manipulating the play element positioned thereupon means for trapping the play element arranged upon the shifter slats, and fence sec-,

tions arranged between the slats, the sections being spaced apart at their ends to provide ports for the play element to run through.

2. In a game apparatus employing a spherical play element, supports, a number of rigid shifter slats extended flat-wise side by side thereon and Y for permitting the play element to roll laterally from one slat to another.

3. In a game apparatus employing a spherical play element, a number of yrigid shifter slats arranged side by side and forming a play `field for the element to roll over fence strips between the slats for directing the course of the play element, automatic means for directing and stationing .the play element at one end of the play field, means for trapping the play element arranged upon the slats, the slats being each independently slidable and tiltable for engaging the play element and manipulating and directing it to avoid the said trapping means.

4. In a game apparatus employing a number of spherical play elements, a number of rigid shifter slats assembled freely edgewise and forming a play field for the element to roll over means for trapping the play elements arranged upon the slats, fence sections `between the slats, the sections being separated at their ends to provide ports for the play elements to run through from slat to slat, and automatic means for lining up the play elements at the rear end of the play field, the said slats being independently slidable lengthwise for picking up the play elements and being independently tiltable laterally for rolling them through the Vsaid ports from slat to slat.

5. In a game apparatus employing a definite number of co-equal, spherical play-elements, an inclined play-field for the elements to roll over by gravity, a distributing field at the upper side of and inclined towards the play field, a start- Y ing station transversely arranged at the upper margin of the distributing field, the starting station being formed to exactly contain the play elements in a straight line arrangement, fences extended from the starting station out over the distributing field to the play field, the ends of the fences at the starting station being each located exactly between two contiguous play elements as in their lined up positions, so as automatically to separate the play elements as they roll out from the starting station, and means for releasably retaining the play elements in the starting station.

JOHN A. KIMBALL.

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