US3751040A - Plural rotatable drum chance device - Google Patents

Abstract

A power driven amusement wheel device having a plurality of wheels mounted on a base for independent rotation wherein a power drive is selectively engageable and disengageable from the wheels and wherein a brake for retarding the rotational movement of each of the wheels is provided to be engageable and disengageable in response to the actuation and deactuation of any one of a plurality of switches by users of the amusement wheel device. The device is controlled such that retardation of the rotational movement of the wheels cannot occur prior to the passage of a predetermined period of time after initial actuation of the power drive.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Carey 1 1 PLURAL ROTATABLE DRUM CHANCE DEVICE [75] Inventor: William H. Carey, Keansburg, NJ.

[73] Assignee: The Walk-In-Boys, lnc., Keansburg,

[22] Filed: May 28, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 148,108

52 0.5.01 273/143R 511 Int. Cl. 58 Field of Search.... 273/143 R, 143 A,

273/143 B, 143 C, 143 D, 143 E, 138A, 1 E, 141 A, 142 J, 142 JA, 142 JB, l42 JC,"l42-JD Aug. 7, 1973 3,281,149 10/1966 Miller 273/143 R FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 398,626 7/1924 Germany 273/142 JD 1,120,269 7/1968 Great Britain 273/143 R Primary Examiner Anton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerArnold W. Kramer AttorneyPopper, Bain, Bobis & Gilfillan [57] ABSTRACT A power driven amuse ment wheel device having a p1urality of wheels mounted on a base for independent rotation wherein a power drive: is selectively engageable and disengageable from the wheels and wherein a brake for retarding the rotational movement of each of the wheels is provided to be engageable and disengageable in response to the actuation and deactuation of any one of a plurality of switches by users of the amuse ment wheel device. The device is controlled such that retardation of the rotational movement of the wheels cannot occur prior to the passage of a predetermined period of time after initial actuation of the power drive.

2- Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PLURAL ROTATABLE DRUM CHANCE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of amusement devices. More particularly, this invention relates to power driven amusement or game devices wherein wheels or discs are utilized.

Many types of power driven amusement devices using wheels or discs are known to those skilled in the art. For the most part, however, such known amusement devices are of the type wherein operation of the device is in whole or in part within the control of an operator rather than a player. Such devices are often objectionable for various reasons thus making it desirable to provide an amusement device wherein control of the SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is 'an object of this invention, therefore, toprovide an amusement wheel device wherein control of the op eration of the device is completely held by players of the game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusement device wherein the wheels are permitted to rotate freely between the completion of their acceleration and the commencement of their retardation. These objects and others are achieved by the amusement wheel device of the present invention one embodiment of which may include a base, a plurality of wheels mounted on the base for independent rotation, a drive means for imparting rotational movement to the plurality of wheels, means for selectively connecting the drive means and the plurality of wheels, means for retarding the rotational movement of each of the plurality of wheels, and a means for operating the means for selectively connecting the drive and the plurality of wheels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description thereof, particularly when read in the light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the amusement wheel device of the present invention with the cover removed;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view through the plane 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view through the plane 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electrical control circuit for operating the amusement wheel device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view of a second embodiment of amusement device according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electrical control circuit for operating the amusement wheel device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, an amusement wheel device according to the present invention is shown and designated generally by thereference numeral 10.

Amusement wheel device 10 comprises a frame including abase 12 and a plurality of upwardly extendingstanchions 14, 15, 16 and 17. Positioned in axial alignment between stanchions 1447 are a plurality ofgame wheels 20, 21 and 22.Wheels 20, 21 and 22 are rigidly secured toaxles 25,26 and 27 respectively, the ends of which are supported within bearings mounted in stanchions 1417.

Rigidly secured for rotation withaxles 25, 26 and 27 areaxle sheaves 29, 30 and 31 which accommodates the operable engagement threraround ofdrive belts 33, 34 and 35, respectively. In addition to passing aroundsheaves 29, 30 and 31,drive belts 33, 34 and 35 pass arounddrive sheaves 38, 39 and 40 whichare rigidly mounted for rotation with a drive shaft which is designated generally by thereference numeral 44.Drive shaft 44 is rotat ably supported onbase 12 bybearing supports 46 and connected to amotor 48 by a speed reduction pinion andgear arrangement 50.Shaft 44 is divided effectively into foursections 52, 53, 54 and 55 by electro-mechanical clutches 5 7, 58 and 59. Thus, when each of clutches; 57, 58 and 59 are engaged, the four sections ofshaft 44 turn as a unit. With the clutches-dis engaged,-however, each of theshaft sections 52, 53, 54 and 55 can rotate independently thus permittinggame wheels 20, 21 and 22 to rotate independently of each other.

Each ofgame wheels 20, 21 and 22 is provided with a mechanism for retarding selectively its rotational movement. Each retarding mechanism is identical for each wheel, accordingly the retarding mechanism in use with respect towheel 21 is described in detail as representative of the o'thersQWith particular reference prises a plurality of longitudinally extendingpins 61 which are disposed concentrically about the axis of rotation of wheel 21' and which extend from its radial surface.Pins 61 are engageable by aroller 62 which is rotatably mounted on an arm '63 which is pivotally mounted by apivot pin 64 at the upper end ofstanchion 15.

The angular position ofarm 63 andtherewith roller 62 with respect topins 61 is controlled by the cooperative effect of atension spring 66 which urgesarm 63 toward axial alignment withstanchion 15 and asolenoid valve 68 which urgesarm 63 out of alignment withstanchion 15 against the effect ofspring 66 when the solenoid is actuated.- Solenoid 68 is mounted on anarm 69 which is secured to and extends laterally fromstanchion 15.

The amount of travel of the actuator arm ofsolenoid- 68 during actuation is such as to rotatearm 63 sufficiently to obviate any contact ofroller 62 with pins .61 thus permitting the unretarded rotation ofwheel 21. Upon the de-actuation ofsolenoid 68,spring 66 causesarm 63 to rotate in the clockwise direction thus causingroller 62 to engagepins 61 to retard the rotation ofwheel 21 ultimately causing full retardation of the wheel.

The entire device is protected by acover 70 which is provided with windows,e.g. window 72 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, through which the wheels of the amusement device may be viewed by the players.

Having described the structure of amusement game device in detail, consideration will now be given to its operation for a complete game cycle. At the commencement of a game cycle,clutches 57, 58 and 59 are engaged andmotor 48 is started to thereby driveshaft 44 as a single unit throughgears 50. The rotational motion ofshaft 44 is imparted toaxles 25, 26 and 27, and therewithwheels 20, 21 and 22 by transmission throughdrive belts 33, 34 and 35 and their associated sheaves.

During the start-up period,solenoids 68 are actuated to maintainrollers 62 out of contact withpins 61 whereby to permit unobstructed rotation of the game wheels. In this regard, it is considered to be desirable for purposes of participants excitement to insure high speed rotation ofwheels 20, 21 and 22 for a predetermined minimum period of time, within which period de-actuation ofsolenoid 68 is impossible. The manner in which this is accomplished is discussed below indenoids 68. Upon the occurrence of these events,shafts 52, 53, 54 and 55 may rotate independently,game wheels 20, 21 and 22 may rotate independently, andarm 63 is rotated aboutpivot pin 64 byspring 66 to bringrollers 62 into engagement withpins 61. The spring biased engagement ofrollers 62 withpins 61 immediately commences to retard the rotation of the game wheels and continues the retardation until the wheels come to a halt. It should be noted that the rate of retarding the rotation ofgame wheels 20, 21 and 22 can be adjusted by varying the tension onsprings 66 and therewith the force of engagement ofrollers 62 againstpins 61. As will be clear to those skilled in the art, increased force of engagement betweenrollers 62 andpins 61 causes a more rapid retardation of the rotational movement ofwheel 21 whereas a decrease in the force of engagement provides a slower retardation of thegame wheels 20, 21 and 22.

Considering now the control ofamusement device 10, a schematic diagram for an electrical control circuit useful in operating the device is shown in FIG. 4. More specifically,main leads 74 and 75 are shown to be connected to a suitable source of power through amain switch 77. In the diagram shown,motor 48 is a continuous running motor and is tapped intoleads 74 and 75 electrically adjacentmain switch 77. A plurality of player operatedswitches 79 are provided in parallel, which switches serve to engage and disengageclutches 57, 58 and 59, as well as to actuate and de-actuatesolenoids 68. Atime delay relay 81 is provided which precludes de-energization of the circuit for a predetermined period of time after initial actuation. Thus, in Order to commence a game cycle and assuming thatswitch 77 is closed andmotor 48 is running, any one ofplayer switches 79 may be actuated to engageclutches 57, 58 and 59, and to actuatesolenoids 68. Upon the completion of the predetermined delay period ofrelay 81, a further operation of any ofplayer switches 79 will cause disengagement ofclutches 57, 58 and 59 and deactuation ofsolenoids 68 to permit retardation of the wheel rotation as is discussed above.

Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6. The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is exactly the same as that described above with respect to FIGS. 14 except that a plurality of driving motors are provided in substitution for theclutches 57, 58 and 59 ofdevice 10.

More particularly and with reference to FIG. 5, anamusement wheel device 110 according to the invention can incorporate plural driving motors designated 157, 158 and 159. These motors are mounted on abase 112adjacent stanchions 114, 115, 116 and 117 which support wheel device structure which is exactly the same as that disclosed with respect toamusement wheel device 10.

As is evident from FIG. 5, however, the amusement wheel device of FIG. 5 provides for the driving of the amusement wheels byseparate motors 157, 158 and 159. These motors are connected to the rotating wheels by sheaves andbelt drives 153, 154 and 155 respectively. In all other respects the structure ofdevice 110 is exactly the same as that ofdevice 10 as described in FIGS. 1-3.

The control circuit for the embodiment of amusement wheel device disclosed in FIG. 5 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 6. Main leads 174 and are connected to a suitable source of power through amain switch 177. As is evident from FIG. 6,motors 157, 158 and 159 are connected in parallel as are thesesolenoids 168 which are associated with the respective rotation retarding mechanisms discussed above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. A plurality of player operatedswitches 179 are provided in parallel and serve to actuate and de-actuate bothmotors 157, 158 and 159 as well assolenoids 168. Atime delay relay 181 is provided to preclude de-energization of the solenoid circuit for a predetermined time after initial actuation.

Thus, in order to commence a game cycle and assuming thatswitch 177 is closed, any one of player switches 179 may be actuated to energizemotors 157, 158 and 159 and to actuatesolenoids 168. Upon the completion of the predetermined delay period ofrelay 181, a further operation of any of player switches 179 will cause de-energization ofmotors 157, 158 and 159 and deactuation ofsolenoids 168 to permit retardation of the wheel motion as discussed above. If any ofswitches 179 is further operated prior to the completion of the delay period ofrelay 181,motors 157, 158 and 159 will be de-energized and the wheels will rotate in a free-wheel unretarded motion until the subsequent de-actuation ofsolenoids 168.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the manner of manufacturingamusement devices 10 and 110 according to the invention is a matter of ordinary skill and can be accomplished using materials shown to those in this art. Further, although only two embodiments of the invention have been described above in detail, it is considered to be manifest that many modifications and variations thereof can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

a plurality of means connecting each said individual drive means to one of said plurality of wheels, each means connecting each said individual drive means to one of said plurality of wheels comprising a first sheave operably connected to said one wheel, a second sheave operably connected to said drive means and belt means for transmitting rotational movement between said first and second sheaves;

means for retarding rotational movement of each of said plurality of wheels, each said means for retarding comprising a plurality of pins arranged concentrically of the axis of rotation of an associated wheel, each of said plurality of pins being secured to said associated wheel and extending perpendicularly from a radially extending surface thereof, each of said pins being equally arcuately displaced from the next adjacent pins, a roller having a diameter greater than the arcuate distance between adjacent ones of said pins, said roller mounted on an arm, said am being pivotally connected at one end to one of said upwardly extending stanchions, and means attached to the other end of said arm for pivoting said arm away from the axis of rotation of said wheel, said roller being positioned between the pivotally connected end of said arm and said other end of said arm, said means for pivoting said arm providing sufficient displacement of said arm to displace said roller to disengage said roller with said pins; and

circuit means connecting a plurality of manually actuable means to said drive means and said pivoting means for actuating said drive means and said pivoting means and deactuating said drive means and said pivoting means upon selective actuation and deactuation of any one of said manually actuable means.

2. An amusement device according to claim 1 wherein each said drive means is an electric motor, each said means for pivoting is a solenoid, and said circuit means is an electrical circuit including a time delay means for establishing a minimum time between actuation and deactuation of any of said manually actuable means.

Claims (2)

1. An amusement wheel device comprising: a base having a plurality of upwardly extending stanchions; a plurality of axles supported by said stanchions, said axles being coaxially disposed and longitudinally spaced; a plurality of amusement wheels, one wheel being mounted on each one of said plurality of axles, said plurality of amusement wheels being mounted for free-wheeling rotation, each amusement wheel being rotatable independently of each other amusement wheel; a plurality of drive means for imparting rotational movement to said plurality of wheels, each of said plurality of wheels being driven by an individual drive means; a plurality of means connecting each said individual drive means to one of said plurality of wheels, each means connecting each said individual drive means to one of said plurality of wheels comprising a first sheave operably connected to said one wheel, a second sheave operably connected to said drive means and belt means for transmitting rotational movement between said first and second sheaves; means for retarding rotational movement of each of said plurality of wheels, each said means for retarding comprising a plurality of pins arranged concentrically of the axis of rotation of an associated wheel, each of said plurality of pins being secured to said associated wheel and extending perpendicularly from a radially extending surface thereof, each of said pins being equally arcuately displaced from the next adjacent pins, a roller having a diameter greater than the arcuate distance between adjacent ones of said pins, said roller mounted on an arm, said arm being pivotally connected at one end to one of said upwardly extending stanchions, and means attached to the other end of said arm for pivoting said arm away from the axis of rotation of said wheel, said roller being positioned between the pivotally connected end of said arm and said other end of said arm, said means for pivoting said arm providing sufficient displacement of said arm to displace said roller to disengage said roller with said pins; and circuit means connecting a plurality of manually actuable means to said drive means and said pivoting means for actuating said drive means and said pivoting means and deactuating said drive means and said pivoting means upon selective actuation and deactuation of any one of said manually actuable means.

2. An amusement device according to claim 1 wherein each said drive means is an electric motor, each said means for pivoting is a solenoid, and said circuit means is an electrical circuit including a time delay means for establishing a minimum time between actuation and deactuation of any of said manually actuable means.

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