US2491888A - Electric game - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 D. M. BAKER ELECTRIC GAME F l E- I5 000000 000 can I al Dec. 20, 1949 Filed May 12, 1948 RNZY INVENTOR. Rand/l 5w BY 0 Mo 0 Ho 0 Bo AEi-w 0 mo 090 0 80 o 70 FIE-141.4,

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Fina/A W ATTORNEY Patented Dec, 20, 1949 ELECTRIC GAME David M. Baker, Revere, Mass, assignor to Freem Amusements, Inc., Boston, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application May 12, 1948, Serial No. 26,579

The present invention relates to a game or amusement device in which a few or a considerable number of individuals might participate. The game involves a certain amount of skill, but where a number of players are involved, the skill is not wholly dominant in the playing of the game. In brief, the game employs a rotating selector switch driven by a motor for operating a group of indicators successively and one or more of corresponding switches for both starting and stopping the selector arm and indicating the winner of the game. The novelty in the present invention resides in the arrangement and groups of the elements of the system forming the amusement game device and in the operation of the same. The game provides excitement though its uncertainty and suspense and yet a very definite skill may be acquired in the playing of the game.

Without further describing the merits and advantages of the present invention, the invention will now be described in the specification below when taken in connection with the drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof in which:

Figure 1 shows somewhat schematically the system and elements comprising the game or amusement device.

Figure 2 shows a schematic Wiring diagram of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a modification of a portion of the system shown in Figure 2, and,

Figure 4 shows a further modification.

In the arrangement shown in the drawings, 29 indicates a switchboard in which stations l to [5 are shown. Each one of these stations may be occupied by a player, or if it is desired, the game may be played with more or less stations, dependent only upon how extensive or how many people it is desired to have play the game. The switchboard of 2!] provides for each station with a start and stop button, although if the start ing is done by an elected player only one start button is needed, as will be seen in Figure 3. The start and stop buttons are indicated by ET, 6P, 2T, 2P, etc, respectively. There is also provided an indicator board, 2i, with indicator stations l to IE inclusive, the numbers corresponding to the same operating stations I to it inclusive so that the player at No. l operates the indicator at No. l. The indicator at l and at each of the rest of the numbers may consist of a light to illuminate the face of the station and, in addition thereto, lights IW, HR, IW which may successively be illuminated while the face of the indicator I remains illuminated. The lights IW,

IR, and PW may be white, red and white lights 8 Claims. (01. 177-384) respectively and may be illuminated successively with a simultaneous illumination of the indicator 1' before indicator No. 2' becomes illuminated. A suitable figure such as a racing dog or a horse may be painted on the face of the indicators to simulate a race with the lighting progressively advancing around the indicators from I to Hi. This progressive lighting of the indicators may continue for one or more revolutions, depending on how long the game is played.

The element 22 indicates a turntable in which there is a driving motor and on which is an electrical selector arm, 23, which selectively and progressively makes contacts with the contacting points 24, one after the other. A suitable control switch, 25, controls the operation of the system so that the system will not function until the person in control permits the start of the play.

The schematic wiring diagram of Figure 2 corresponds to the layout shown in Figure 1. In this case the switchboard, 2! has its group of starting switches lT, 2T, 3T, etc., which are connected in parallel across the lines 25 and 21. The stop buttons IP, 2P, 3P, etc. form a series circuit in the lines 28 and 29. The start buttons are normally in open position and the stop buttons are normally in a closed circuit position. These buttons control the operation of the relay 36, which may be positioned in the control box 25 which may also include a control switch 3| for controlling the operation of the whole system.

The indicator lights I, 2', 3', etc., on one side are connected by the line 32 to one side of the secondary of the transformer 33, while the other side of the secondary of the transformer has a lead 34, which connects to a slip rin 35, to which the selector arm 23, is at all times connected. The other side of the indicators, i, 2, 3' etc. each have conductors lo, 20, 30, etc. which connect to the lights IW, lR, IW, 2W, 2R, ZW, in groups of three each respectively. Each of these lights iW, IR, lW, 2W, 2R, ZW, etc. have separate leads, 36, connected with individual contacts 31 on their turntable on which the arm 23 bears as it rotates about the turntable. It will be seen from this description that as far as energizing the indicators is concerned, the circuit is completed without regard to the operation of the start and stop mechanism. To follow through the indicators circuit, for example, it will be noted that the connections are traced as follows; from the secondary transformer 33, over the line 32 to any one of the indicators l', 2, 3', etc; from these indicators over the lines lo, 20, 30, etc. to any one of the groups of three lights, IIW, IR,

EW etc., to a particular contact 31 on the turntable through the connecting leads 3%, and through the switch arm 23, which lies on one of the contacts, to the slip ring 35 and the return lead 34. The primary of the transformer 33, which may be a one-to-two ratio, connects across the main supply 33 through a two-pole, single throw switch 39. When the switch 39 is closed the indicator system will light up and the light shown is the one corresponding to the contact 1.

connection where the arm 23 happens to bear.

The relay 3c is provided with a holding contact so that the start buttons need only be mo mentarily closed. When any one of the start buttons is closed connection is made from the line 27 to the line 26, and the coil 40 is energized through the switch 3!, the line 4!, the coil 40, the time delay switch 42, the line 21, the particular start button momentarily closed, the line 25 and the line 43 returning to the main supply. w

The momentary energization of the coil 4!! draws downthe switch contactor 44 against the action of the spring 45, bridging the contacts it-and 4'! and thereby completing a holding circuit which may be traced as follows:

Fromthe lead 4! through the coil 40, the line 48, the time delay switch 39, the lead 28, through the normally closed stop buttons, the line 25, the connector relay arm 44, and the return lead to the power supply 43. down of the arm Mcompletes thecircuit to the driving motor 5% of the turn table therefore as soon as the start button is pressed, the motor begins to rotate turning arm 23 and causing the,

light indication to move successively from one number indicator to the next number indicator around in cyclic rotation. The motor circuit is completed through the line 3, contact 46, contact bar 44, contact 4?, motor lead 5!, motor 59 and return motor lead 52.

From the above description it will be noted that when the motor is rotating and the selector arm traveling over the contacts the operation of any one of the stop switches will release the relay arm 44 by tie-energizing the coil 40, permitting the spring ie-t retract the armature 44;

The arrangement in Figure 3 operates similar to that shown in Figure 2 with the additional feature that when once the stop switches IP, 2P, 3?, etc. are operated, the control switch 39' is automatically opened to shut down the system and it wfll not thereafter again run until the individual controlling the game, the Game starter, permits the game to be played.

This is accomplished by having the armature 44f operate by means of a projecting arm 69, a pivoted lever 6!. As the armature 44 is drawn downward, when the motor is initially operated, the lever 61 is flipped upward at the opposite end from where the armature 415' is and nothing happens. When, however, the armature 44 is released, as when the stop buttons are operated deenergizing the solenoid 40 the left end of the lever 6!, as seen in Fi ure 3, operates to bring together the contacts 62 and 63, the circuit through the relay coil 55, which pulls down the arm 66 of the switch 3! and opens the circuit to the solenoid coil 40.

In the closed position of the switch 3| circuit through the coil follows:

From one side of the line through the switch 34 over the line 51,

the 55 may be traced as The initial drawing and completes through the coil 55, the line 54, the line 64, the contact switch 63- 62,; when this is closed, and the return through the line 43. The lever arm 6! may be maintained in a horizontal position tensioned by a spring, 69. The arm will only energize the coil after the coil 40 is de-energized so that when once the stop button is pressed the motor cannot again be started until the game starter closes the switch 3|. This prevents anyone starting the motor after a stop button i'sspressed. The game then will remain dead, since even if the start buttons are closed, no current will pass through the relay 40 until the switch 3| has firstv been closed. When the switch 3| has been closed, the game can, of course, be commenced by pressingany one'of the start buttons, IT, 2T, 3T, etc. If desired, a single pole, double throw switch 65 may be provided in the line 2'! so that instead .of: operating the start of the game from any of the start positions, the game may be started from a portable switch button 66, which is at the end of a double wire cord and may be movedto any one. of' the stations. in the game. In'order to operate'from the. button fitit would simply benecessary to throw the switch '65 to the contact Slinstea'd of tothecontact 68. If the'players, therefore, desire one of their own group tostart' the game, or some other selected individual, this can readily be done.

The winner of the game is the onewho succeeds in making the. light stay on at his station;

This'comprises making theplate I, or anystation, light'up and one of the corresponding. lights IW, IE, or IW. There may be a bigger prize:

for themiddle light IR which may be of different color than the end lights.

A further modification of the. invention, is shown in Figure 4; In this modification, separate light indicators are provided, 10 to: indicate when-the playersare to start the game, TI, when the players may stop the game, and 72; indicatingthe winner of the game. In thisv arrangement the game is controlled by an on-offswitch 13, which the operatormay turn on at any time and leave it on during the period while he-is.

present. A: second switch 14 may be used to start the game but this switch must be turned.

on at the beginning of each game and off at the end'of the game: shuntin this on-on switch is a momentary start switch 15' which the'operator can usein place of the switch 14 and'whlch is pressed momentarily for the start of each game.

In this arrangement there is provided a relay '6 which operates in conjunction with a time delay switch element '31 and a second relay (8;

which operates in conjunction with a second time delay switch element 79; These various elements will be explained in conjunction with the operation of the system.

When the switch 15 is momentarily pressed by the operator, the relay coil 89 of the relay T6 is energized and this closes the circuit through the pivoted arms 8|, 82, and 83 which are all spring tensioned through the non-conducting connect-- ing rod 84 and thespring 85. The closing of theswitch 15 energizes the circuits in the.fol-- lowing manner; the coil is energized from the supply source 85 over the line 81, the line 88, the normally closed switch 96 of the delay switch element, the bi-metallic delay element.

9i, the connecting line92, the coil $30 and the line 93' to the other side of'the supply source;

This momentary energization of the coil 80 closes. through theline 94, the pole-, the" line 96; the switch. 96 94, the line. 92, the coil 80;

the holding circuit 8!, the contact 95, thermostat elements and the line 93 to the other side of the line, so that even though the switch I5 is released, the coil 80 will still hold the switch poles B2, 83 in the downward position. If no other switch is pressed within the limit set by the time delay element, the opening of the contacts 90 will restore the circuit to its original operative position. While however the coil 80 is energized the start light will light up. This circuit may be traced as follows; from the supply source 86 over the common line 91, to the start light I0, over the line 98 to the contact 99 through the switch pole 83 to the line 94. The players therefore have an indication that the game is to be started. Any one of the starting switch buttons It, 2t, etc., may therefore be pressed. By pressing the start switch the relay I8 is energized as well as the time delay element and switch I9 and also the turn table motor 5E. The circuit is completed through the relay coil I00 of the relay I8 in the following manner; through the common line 91', the relay coil I00, the line IOI, the contact I02, the arm 82, the line I03, any one of the start switches It, 2t, etc., the line I04 and the line 94 to the other side of the supply source. This energization of the coil I00 draws downward the switch arms I05, I06 and I0I of the relay I8 which is tensioned by means of the spring I09 and the connecting rod IIO which is insulated from the poles and also completes a holding circuit for the relay I00 since th start switches are only momentarily closed and since the coil 80 will also be deenergized when the contact 90 of the time delay element opens. The holding circuit of the coil I00 is closed in the following manner; through the common line 91, the coil I00, the line III, all the stop switches Ip, 2p, etc., the line IIZ, the bi-metallic thermostat element I I4, the normally closed switch contact II3 of the time delay element, the line H5, the contact H6, the switch arm I05 and the line 94. It will be seen that even with the start switch open and the relay I6 released, the circuit will still hold. It should also be noted that this operation energizes the turn table motor 59 in the following manner; over the common line 91, the turn table motor 50, the line N1, the contact II6, the arm I05 and the line 94. If nothing else is done to this circuit, it will normally deenergize when the contact II3 of the time delay element is open. However in its closed position, the stop light II will come on as soon as the relay 80 has been de-ener ized. This circuit is traced through in the followin manner; over the common line 91, the stop switch II, the line IIB, the switch element I06, the contact II9, the line I20, the contact I 2I and since now the switch arm 83 is in the upper position over the switch arm 83 and the line 94 to the supply source. When therefore the coil 80 has been deenergized, the stop light will go on and the players will then know that any time thereafter the stop switch may be pressed. When the stop switch is pressed, the coil I00 will be de-energized since this circuit is open and the relay I8 will be released thus breaking the holding circuit for the turn table motor and stopping the operation of the turn table arm 23. In this position the winner light I2 will light up indicating that the game is over and the winner will of course be indicated by the light on the board to which the turn table arm is connected in its stop position. The winner light circuit may be traced as follows; over the common line 91, the 1 winner light I2, the line I22, the armifljh which is now in the upper position, the contact I23, the line I24, the contact I25, the arm 8|, which is also in the upper position, and the line 94 to the supply source. The winning light will then remain on until the new game is started by pressing of the switch I5. When this occurs, the relay coil will again be energized indicating that the game may be started through the illumination of the start light I0.

The purpose of the arrangement in Figure 4, is first to enable the operator to control the beginning of the play and to make it impossible for either the start or stop switches to activate any part of th system. Secondly the arrangement in Figure 4 provides a definite sequence and a time element between each sequence of operation. After the operator start switch has been pressed, the player start switch can be pressed at any time but the stop switch will not be operated until the stop light has first come on which occurs when the I6 has been due-energized. If no one presses the stop switch within the time limit permitted, then the relay I8 will become de-energized and the operator must again press the switch I5 before the game can be played. If the start switch has not been pressed within the certain time interval, then the gam will also be stopped and must be played again. If the stop switch is not pressed the time delay element I9 will operate after a time interval and release the relay I8 in which case the game must also be played again or a winner will be indicated without the operation of any of the stop switches since the stop circuit is opened by the opening of the switch I I3.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A game to be played by two or more players comprisin a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators each distinctively marked for a player, means adapted to be operated for supplying electrical energy for illumination of said indicators momentarily successively in some sequence, an electric motor for operating said means, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, means for operating said relay means, said relay means including circuit means for maintaining said relay means operative independent of the means for operating the relay, stop switch means including a switch provided for each player in series in said maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps said electric motor rotating whereby when said stop switch means is operated, the successive progress of momentary illumination of said indicator will stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated indicating the winner of the game.

2. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators each distinctively marked for a player, means adapted to be operated for supplying electrical energy for illumination of said indicators momentarily successively in some sequence, an electric motor for operating said means, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, means for operating said relay means, said relay means including circuit means for maintaining said relay means operative independent of the means for operating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each player, appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all connested in series in said maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps .said electric motor rotating whereby whenjany one of said stop switches is operated, th;e successive progress of momentary illumination of said indicators will stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated, indicating the winner of the game.

3. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators each distinctively marked for a player, means adapted to be operated for supplying electrical energyfor illumination of said indicators momentarily successively in some sequence, an electric motor for operating said means, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, means for operating said relay means including a plurality of switches operated by the players and connected together in shunt with said .relay means, said relay means including circuit means for maintaining said relay means operative independent of the means for operating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each player, appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all connected in series in said maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps said lectric motor rotating whereby when any one of said stop switches is operated, the successive progress of momentary illumination of said indicators will stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated, indicating the winner of the game.

l. A game to be played by two or more players, comprising a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for a player, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuit to said indicators successively in some sequence momentarily illuminatin the same, an electric motor for turning said selector switch, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, a start switch button for operating said relay means for completing the electrical circuit for operating said motor, said relay means including circuit means for maintaining" said relay means operative independent of the means for operating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each player, appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all said stop switches being connected in series in said maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps said electric motor rotating whereby when any one of said stop switches is operated, the successive progress of momentary illumination of said indicators will stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated indicating the winner of the game.

5. A game to be played by two or more players, comprising a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for a player, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuit to said indicators successively in some sequence momentarily illuminating the same, an electric motor for turning said selector switch, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, a plurality of player stations having appropriate markings identifying each station with its corresponding indicator, each station having start switches and stop switches, the start switches having means completing the circuit for operating said relay means;v said relay means in-" cluding circuit means for maintaining said relay operative independent of the means for operating the relay with said stop switches in series in said maintaining circuit of the relay means which keeps said electric motor rotatin whereby when any of said stop switches is operated, the successive progress of momentary illumination of said 1 indicators: will: stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated, indicating the winnerzofthe game. J I

8 6. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for a player, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuit to said indicators successively in some sequence momentarily illuminating the -same, an electric motor for turning said selector switch, relay means for closing the circuit to said motor, a start switch button for operating said relay means for completing the electrical circuit for operating said motor, said relay means including circuit means for maintaining said relay means operative independent of the means for operating the relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each player, appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all said stop switches being connected in series in said maintaining circuit" of the relay means which keeps said electric motor rotating a second relay means having a switch manually closed connected in series in said maintainlng circuit and switch means operative by the release of said first relay when said maintaining circuit is deenergized for momentarily energizing said second relay to open said last manually closed switch, whereby when any one of said stop switches is operated, the successive progress of momentary illumination of said indicators will stop with the last illuminated indicator remaining illuminated, indicating the winner of the game, and whereby the game may not be operf ated until the closing of said manually operated switch has been effected.

7. A game to be played by two or more players comprising a plurality of electrically illuminated indicators, each distinctively marked for a player, a rotatable selector switch for completing an electric circuit to said indicators successively in some sequence, momentarily illuminating the same, an electric motor for turning said selector switch,

an operators switch controllable for supplying electric power for operating the game, a plurality of player stations, each having appropriate markings identifying each station with its corresponding indicator and each having a stop. switch, a player start switch, a start indicator, a first relay means operable by the operators start switch for illuminating said start indicator, a second relay means, operable by the players start switch, including means for completing the electrical circuit for operating said electric motor, said second relay means including circuit means for maintaining said second relay means operative independent of the means for operating said second relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each of the players appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all said stop switches being connected in series in said maintaining circuit of said second relay which keeps said electric motor rotating, means operative upon the release of said first relay while said second relay is operative for producing an indication to the player when said stop switches are to be operated, whereby when anyone of said stop switches is operated, the successive progress oi" momentary 8. A game to be played by two or more players, comprising a plurality of electrically illuminatedv indicators, each distinctively marked for a player. a rotatable selector same, an electric motor for turning said selector switch, an operators switch controllable for supswitch for completing an electric circuit to saidindicators successively in, some sequence, momentariiy illuminating the 7 plying electric power for operating the game, a plurality of player stations, each having appropriate markings identifying each station with its corresponding indicator and each having a stop switch, a player start switch, a start indicator, a first relay means operable by the operators start switch for illuminating said start indicator, a second relay means, operable by the players start switch, including means for completing the electrical circuit for operating said electric motor, said second relay means including circuit means for maintaining said second relay means operative independent of the means for operating said second relay, a plurality of stop switches, one for each of the players appropriately identified therefor corresponding to a player, all said stop switches being connected in series in said maintaining circuit of said second relay which keeps said electric motor rotating, means operative upon the release of said first relay while said second relay is operative for producing an indication to the player when said stop switches are REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,153,737 Van Der Hoorn Sept. 14, 1915 1,887,694 Huizinga Nov. 15,1932 2,085,884 Wilkinson July 6,193? 2,333,002 Goloborodko Oct. 26, 1943 2,457,968 Allen et a1. Jan. 4, 1949

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