WO1992008530A1

WO1992008530A1 - Amusement device

Info

Publication number: WO1992008530A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/006589
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Ritchie
Original assignee: Vendtron, Inc.
Priority date: 1990-11-12
Filing date: 1990-11-12
Publication date: 1992-05-29

Abstract

A coin-operated amusement device (10) for attempted retrieval of a prize (16) by a player. The device comprises a grasping mechanism (36) supported by a first carriage (56) movably disposed along a first rail (52). A second carriage (72) is movably disposed along a perpendicular second rail (54) for positioning the grasping mechanism over the prize. Once the chosen position is reached, the claw (36) is lowered automatically in an attempt to retrieve the article by the player. When the claw is closed, it is automatically raised back to its uppermost position and returned to home position for delivering any retrieved article to the player.

Description

AMUSEMENT DEVICE

Background of the Invention Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an amusement device having an operator controlled, claw-like grasping mechanism for attempted retrieval of articles supported in the device. More particularly, the present invention provides an amusement device wherein electric motors position a multi-fingered claw to a desired location over the articles and electrical circuitry activates the claw in an attempt to retrieve an article.

Description of the Related Art

Coin-operated devices of the type having a grasping mechanism for retrieving "prizes" such as small novelties or jewelry have been used in amusement parks and penny arcades for many years. Generally, in such devices, a claw or shovel is attached to an overhead boom or crane arm by a cable. A player directs the movement of the boom or claw by a system of levers, gears, or other control mechanisms connected to a manually rotated handle in an attempt to grasp a prize with the claw, raise it and direct the claw to an exit chute where the prize is dropped for delivery to the player.

Electrically energized amusement devices of this type have also been proposed. Patent No. 4,718,667 discloses an amusement device in which a player controls positioning of a mechanical pick-up mechanism such as a claw which can be closed over an object to be received. The claw is attached to a two-axis overhead transport mechanism driven by a system of electric motors interconnecting a series of pulleys by belts. The transport mechanism is able to move in any direction in its plane of travel. An external control device is also included which controls the lowering and actuation of the pick-up device in an attempt to pick up the article.' The control mechanism also returns the pick-up device automatically to the start position once the pick-up device has been actuated.

Patent Nos. 4,684,128 and 4,685,673 disclose a similar amusement device having two parallel guide rails upon which a traveler is disposed. An electric motor drives a pair of rollers connected by a drive belt on the rail so that the traveler moves over the guide rail. Two additional guide rails support a "crab" or carriage. An electric motor is installed on the carriage in order to propel it on the guide rails. A second motor is installed on the carriage for raising and lowering a grasping mechanism or "grab." The patents further disclose the grab as having a casing, a solenoid and a plurality of pivotally attached projection arms. When the solenoid is actuated, the free ends of the arms close to grasp an article over which it is disposed.

These prior devices utilize belts and pulleys which typically require regular maintenance to keep the system in proper alignment. Manufacturing tolerances and machine wear due to excessive play often causes the cables, belts or pulleys in the system to become misaligned, worn or broken. Also, the travel of the grasping mechanism is limited within the housing due to the configuration of the transport mechanism, making it difficult to grasp articles disposed proximate the side walls of the housing.

Summary of the Invention

There is need for an amusement device which is durable and remains reliable after long use. The grasping mechanism of the device should travel to all areas within the housing. The present invention addresses these problems by providing an electrically energized amusement device for retrieving prizes. The device includes a housing having a floor upon which the articles or prizes are disposed and a first horizontally aligned rail fixed in the housing above the floor. A first carriage is movably disposed along the rail and includes a first motor for driving the carriage along the rail. The device further includes first and second manually operated actuation means disposed on the exterior of^*the housing.

The device further includes a second horizontally aligned rail disposed perpendicularly to the first rail. The second rail is secured to the first carriage so that movement of the first carriage along its supporting rail moves the second rail. A second carriage is movably disposed on the second rail and carries a motor for driving it along its rail. The device further includes grab means for grasping the article on the bottom of the housing. In one embodiment the grab means comprises a plurality of elongated, arcuate fingers pivotally connected to a housing as well as means for pivoting the fingers from a first open position wherein the free ends of the fingers are relatively spaced from one another to a second closed position wherein the free ends of the fingers are relatively close to one another. A plurality of levers may pivotally interconnect the fingers to a solenoid so that actuating the solenoid causes the levers to pivot the fingers from the first open position to the second closed position to grasp an article.

A winch means is supported by the second carriage for moving the grab means between a first raised position and a second lowered position proximate the bottom of the housing. The winch means may be provided with an electrical switch for energizing the grab when the grab reaches the second lowered position.

The device further includes electrical circuitry interconnecting the first and second actuation means, the first and second carriage motors, the grab means and the winch means so that activating of the first actuation means causes one of the motors to drive one of the carriages in one direction along its supporting rail. Activating the second actuation means causes the other motor to drive the other carriage along its supporting rail, and upon termination of the second movement of the carriages, the grab means is lowered to the bottom of the housing. The grab means is then energized either automatically or manually in an attempt to grasp an article. The winch means then raises the grab means to the first position and the carriages are automatically returned to a home position wherein the grab solenoid is deenergized so that the article, if retrieved, is dropped through an exit chute to the game operator.

Many variations of the game are possible. For example, the circuitry may be designed so that an operator may only move one carriage along its supporting rail once and subsequent attempts to activating the drive motor produce no movement of the carriage along that rail. The player may then activate the other carriage for motion along its supporting rail and when the motion terminates the carriage motor may not be reenergized. Termination of movement of the second carriage causes the winch means to automatically lower the grab in an attempt to retrieve the article as described above. The game may be designed to accept coins or tokens.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings of a preferred embodiment of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an amusement device constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention and showing a cut-away portion thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the positioning system of the amusement device of Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a claw and its actuating mechanism of the amusement device of the preferred embodiment;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the claw of Figure 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of the game control system.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings, as shown in Figure 1 an amusement device 10 comprises a housing 12 having a bottom 14 upon which articles 16 or "prizes" are disposed. In the preferred embodiment, articles 16 constitute items of costume jewelry but alternatively may include any articles suitable for retrieval by a player, such as novelties, stuffed animals or other toys. Housing 12 may take a variety of configurations and is not limited to the octagonal-shaped pedestal supporting housing illustrated in Figure 1. Housing 12 may alternatively be a vertically upright structure.

Housing 12 further includes a top 18 having a transparent window 20 through which a player 22 can see the articles 16 for attempted retrieval. An interior playing area 15 of the amusement device also includes a right side 24, a left side 26, a back side 28 and a front side 30. A prize delivery chute or opening 32 is located in playing area 15 for delivering a retrieved article to a player.

A grasping mechanism or claw device 36 for operation by a player 22 in attempting to retrieve an article 16 is mounted on a positioning system 38 in playing area 15 above the bottom 14. A first control button 40 and a second control button 42, both manually operated by player 22, are disposed on the exterior of housing 12. As will be explained more fully below, control buttons 40 and 42 actuate positioning system 38 to direct the claw 36 over an article for attempted retrieval of the article. Amusement device 20 is configured so as to be coin operated and a coin receiving slot 44 is provided on the exterior of housing 12. The location of slot 44 on housing 12 is arbitrary, and may be on the top 18 of housing 12 or along any of the other external sides of housing 12. A coin return mechanism 46 is also provided on housing 12 for return of rejected coins. The claw positioning system 38 of amusement device 10 is shown in detail in Figure 2. The positioning system is designed to move the claw device 36 horizontally and vertically to any chosen position in the playing area 15 under the control of control buttons 40,42 and a control circuit, shown in general block diagram form in Figure 5 which will be described more fully below. The positioning mechanism includes a horizontal transport assembly 48 for positioning the claw device in a horizontal x-y plane over the bottom of housing 12 and a vertical transport assembly 50 for moving the claw in a vertical or a Z direction between a raised, retracted position and a lowered, extended position proximate the bottom of housing 12.

The positioning system comprises a first horizontally aligned rail 52 fixed in housing 12 and a second horizontally aligned rail 54 disposed perpendicular to the first rail 52. A first carriage 56 is movably disposed along the first rail 52 and supports a first motor 58 for driving the carriage 56 along rail 52. Carriage 56 includes a pair of ball bushings 60 disposed circumferentially along rail 52. Carriage 56 is supported by bushings 60 on rail 52 for movement therealong.

Motor 58 carries a resilient disc 62 on its output shaft which is disposed on rail 52 between bushings 60. Rotation of disc 62 by first motor 58 causes carriage 56 to move along rail 52 in the X direction. Drive motor 58 is reversible and is controlled by the circuit shown at Figure 5 and as described in more detail below.

Rail 52 further supports a pair of limit switches 64 disposed at the fixed ends thereof. In the preferred embodiment, limit switches 64 are magnetic reed switches. Magnets 66 are disposed on the opposed ends of carriage 56 for engagement with reed switches 64 so that the travel of carriage 56 along rail 52 is limited by the switches 64.

Second rail 54 is secured at one end in carriage 56. A wheel 68 or other such device is rotatably secured at the other end of 54 so that movement of carriage 56 along rail 52 causes rail 54 to move. Wheel 68 is disposed along support member 70 secured to one of the interior walls of the interior playing area 15 of amusement device

10.

A second carriage 72 is movably disposed on second rail 54 and also supports a second motor 74 for driving carriage 72 along rail 54. Second carriage 72 also includes a pair of ball bushings 76 disposed around rail 52 and supporting carriage 72 for sliding movement along rail 54. Second drive motor 74 includes a resilient disc 78 disposed against rail 54. Rotation of disc 78 by driving motor 74 causes second carriage 72 to move in a Y direction along rail 54. Second carriage 72 also includes a pair of magnets 80 for engagement with magnetic reed switches disposed at the ends of rail 54 to limit travel of carriage 72 and to prevent damage to motor 74.

The vertical positioning assembly 50 is also supported on second carriage 72. A winch 82 causes claw 36 to move from a first raised position proximate carriage 72 to a second lower position proximate bottom 14 of housing 12. A cable, such as string, chain or other like means connects claw 36 to winch 82. Carriage 72 further includes first 86 and second 88 microswitches which are operative to sense the position of claw 36 with respect to second carriage 72. Switch or sensor 86 is disposed on carriage 72 and is adapted to sense the tension of cable 84. When claw 36 reaches the bottom 14 of housing 12, cable 84 slackens, causing switch 86 to close and as will be described below, activate claw 36 to grasp an article. After claw 36 has been actuated, winch 82 raises claw 36 to the first raised position wherein the second switch 88 senses that claw 36 has reached the first raised position and causes the first 56 and second 72 carriages to return to the start or home position. Upon reaching the home position, the electrical circuitry interconnecting this device causes the claw to open and drop the prize into the delivery chute 32.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, claw 36 comprises three elongated, arcuate fingers 90 pivotally connected to a second housing 92. Levers 94 further connect fingers 90 to a claw actuating mechanism 96 disposed within housing 92. The claw actuating mechanism 96 includes a solenoid 98 interconnected to a plunger 100. Each finger is pivotally connected at an intermediate point 102 to lever 94 which is pivotally mounted at its opposite end at the upper end of housing 92. Retraction of plunger 100 into housing 92 on actuation of solenoid 98 causes fingers 90 to pivot inwardly about points 102 to a closed position wherein the free ends of the fingers are relatively close to one another. Subsequent release of the plunger will cause it to drop under the action of weight 104 into an open position wherein the free ends of the fingers are relatively distant from one another. In the preferred embodiment, operation of plunger 100 to open and close fingers 90 is done automatically by action of the control logic of the device as will be explained with reference to Figure 5 below. Alternatively, the device may be configured to include control means for player control of the claw actuating mechanism. Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of the system for timing and controlling the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A major component of the system is a timer and sequence controller 128 comprising a microprocessor, a programmed read only memory, and logic circuitry for interfacing a player with the various positioning and sensing mechanisms of the amusement device.

Power supply 112 provides the voltage levels required by the timer and sequence controller 128; the power required to drive first and second D.C. drive motors 58,74 respectively and winch motor 82; and the power for activating claw solenoid 98.

X home sensor 114, X limit sensor 115, Y home sensor 118, and Y limit sensor 119 consist of magnetic reed switches disposed at the ends of rails 52 and 54, which are activated by magnets embedded in carriages 56, and 72 as described above. . These sensors provide timer and sequence controller 128 with an indication that carriages 56,72 have reached the extreme positions on their supporting rails so that drive motors 58,74 respectively can be switched off to avoid damage.

Z tension sensor 86 and Z up sensor 88 consist of microswitches disposed near winch motor 82 and provide timer and sequence controller 128 with an indication that claw 36 is either in the extreme down or the extreme up position respectively.

Operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention begins when a player inserts the appropriate coins or tokens into slot 44 of the coin operated switch 106. Timer and sequence controller 128 senses a change in the position of switch 106 and the procedure is initiated to reset the microprocessor and associated logic circuitry, as well as move claw 36 to the home position as indicated by the X home sensor 114 and the

Y home sensor 118. After reset, the game is ready for play with the player free to push either the X button 40 or the

Y button 42 to begin the game. Closure of switch 108 associated with the X button activates the first drive motor 58 to drive its associated carriage from the home position, while closure of switch 110 by the Y button 44 activates the second drive motor 74, moving its carriage from the home position. Release of the X button or Y button stops the respective drive motors 58,74. While either button is depressed, the other button is deactivated by timer and sequence controller 128. Also, once the depressed button is released, that button is deactivated by timer sequence controller 128 and can no longer be used to activate its associated driver motor. The player is free to position the claw 36 along either the X or Y direction, followed by positioning along the remaining direction.

Alternatively, the timer and sequence controller 128 can be programmed to allow for multiple movement of the X drive motor and Y drive motor.

After release of the second button to be depressed, timer and sequence controller 128 activates winch motor 82 to lower claw 36 into the interior playing area 15 of housing 12. Z tension sensor 86, consisting of a microswitch, senses the lack of tension in the claw cable 84, and in turn timer and sequence controller 128 reacts by activating claw solenoid 98 to close the fingers 90 of claw 36. Approximately one second later, timing and sequence controller 128 reverses the winch motor 82 and raises the closed claw 36. Z up sensor 88, consisting of another microswitch, then provides the timer and sequence controller 128 with an indication that claw 36 has been raised to the fully up position. At this point, timer and sequence controller 128 automatically activates driver motors 58 and 74, returning claw 36 to the home position and deactivating the claw solenoid 98 to open the claw fingers 90, and drop any article 16 which may have been grabbed. The amusement device is then ready for another play upon the insertion of coins into slot 44.

Components of the circuitry within the timer and sequence controller 128 are readily available commercially and the design of such a system is well known in the art. In other preferred embodiments of the invention, additional play buttons may be used to allow two or more persons to play the game. In addition,, other player controls may be utilized to allow for individual control of the up/down movement of the claw and for claw opening and claw closure.

In light of the foregoing, it should be apparent that many variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing drawings, discussion and description are merely meant to be illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention and not limitations upon the practice thereof. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An amusement device for grasping an article, comprising: a housing having a bottom, said article being disposed on said bottom; a first horizontally aligned rail fixed in said housing; a first carriage movably disposed along said first rail and supporting a first motor operative to drive said first carriage along said first rail; a second horizontally aligned rail disposed perpendicular to said first rail and secured to said first carriage so that movement of said first carriage along said first rail causes said second rail to move coincident therewith; a second carriage movably disposed on said second rail and supporting a second motor operative to drive said second carriage along said second rail; first and second manually operated actuation means disposed exterior of said housing; electrically actuatable grab means for grasping said article; winch means supported by said second carriage for moving said grab means between a first raised position and a second lowered position proximate said bottom; and electrical circuitry interconnecting said first and second actuation means, said first and second carriage motors, said grab means, and said winch means so that operation of said first actuation means causes one of said motors to drive its respective carriage along its respective rail and operation of the second actuation means causes the other of said motors to drive its respective carriage along its respective rail to a desired position over said article wherein said grab means is lowered from said raised first position to the lowered second position by said winch means, said grab means is energized in an attempt to grasp said article, then said winch means raises said grab means to said first position and said carriages are returned to a home position.

2. The amusement device of claim 1, further including a first electrical switch supported on said second carriage operative to energize said grab means when said grab means reaches said second position.

3. The amusement device of claim 2, further including a second electrical switch disposed on said second carriage interconnecting said winch means and said first and second motors so that when said winch means has raised said grab means to said first position, said second electrical switch closes causing sa'id first and second motors to drive said first and second carriages to said home position.

4. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said grab means comprises: a housing; a plurality elongated fingers pivotally connected to said housing; and means for pivoting said fingers from a first open position wherein the free ends of said fingers are relatively distant from one another to a second closed position wherein the free ends of said fingers are relatively close to one another.

5. The amusement device of claim 4 further including a plurality of levers pivotally interconnecting said plurality of fingers to said housing, and wherein said means for pivoting said fingers includes a solenoid disposed within said housing so that actuation of said solenoid causes said levers to pivot said fingers from the first open position to the second closed position.

6. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said first carriage further includes a bushing circumferentially disposed around said first rail for movement therealong.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said bushing further includes bearing means disposed therein.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said first motor driving said first carriage further includes a resilient disc rotatably disposed against said first rail so that rotation of said disc by said first motor causes movement of said first carriage on said first rail.

9. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said second carriage further includes a bushing circumferentially disposed around said second rail for movement therealong.

10. The amusement device of claim 9, wherein said bushing further includes bearing means disposed therein.

11. The amusement device of claim 9, wherein said second motor driving said second carriage further includes a resilient disc rotatably disposed against said second rail so that rotation of said disc by said motor causes movement of said second carriage along said second rail.

12. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said first actuation means is operative to energize said first motor only a single time and to lock out subsequent motor operation.

13. The amusement device of claim 1, wherein said second actuation means is operative to energize said second motor only a single time and to lock out subsequent motor operation.

14. The amusement device of claim 1, further including a plurality of limit switches operative to limit the movement of said first and second carriages along their respective rails, said limit switches being disposed proximate to the ends of said rails.

15. The amusement device of claim 14, wherein said limits switches are magnetic reed switches.

16. An amusement device for attempted retrieval of an article by a player, comprising: a housing having a top, at least a portion of which is transparent, and an opposed bottom, said article being disposed on said bottom; a first horizontally aligned rail fixed in said housing above said bottom; a first carriage movably disposed on said first rail, said first carriage including a ball bushing circumferentially disposed around said first rail for movement therealong, said first carriage further including a first motor operative to drive said first carriage along said first rail, said first motor including a resilient disc rotatably disposed against said first rail so that rotation of said disc by said first motor causes movement of the first carriage along said first rail; a second horizontally aligned rail disposed perpendicular to said first rail above said bottom, said second rail having a first end and a second end, the first end including a wheel rotatably secured thereto for translation in said housing, the second end secured to said first carriage so that movement of the first carriage along the first rail causes the second rail to move coincident therewith; a second carriage movably disposed on said second rail, said second carriage including a second ball bushing circumferentially disposed around said second rail, said second carriage including a second motor operative to drive said second carriage along said second rail, said second motor including a resilient disc rotatably disposed against said second rail so that rotation of said disc by said second motor causes movement of said second carriage along the second rail; first and second manually operated actuation means disposed on the exterior of said housing; electrically actuable grab means for grasping said article, said grab means including a housing, a plurality of elongated fingers pivotally connected to said housing, and means for pivoting said fingers from a first open position wherein the free ends of the fingers are relatively distant from one another to a second closed position wherein the free ends of said fingers are relatively close to one another; winch means supported by said second carriage for moving said grab means between a first raised position and a second lowered position proximate said bottom; a first electrical switch supported on said second carriage and operative to energize said grab means when said grab means reaches said second position; an exit chute extending between the interior and exterior of the housing; and electrical circuitry interconnecting said first nnd second actuation means, said first and second carriage r.otors, said grab means and said winch means so that operation of said first actuation means causes said first rr.otor to drive said first carriage along said first rail and operation of the second actuation means causes said second motor to drive said second carriage along said second rail and upon cessation of the movement of said second carriage, said grab means is lowered from said raised first position by said winch means to said second lowered position wherein said grab means is energized in an attempt to grasp said article, and said winch means then raises said grab means to said first position and said carriages are returned to a home position wherein said article is deposited in said exit chute.

17. The amusement device of claim 16, further including a second electrical switch interconnecting said winch means and said first and second motors so that when said winch means has raised said grab means to said first position, said second electrical switch closes causing said first and second motors to drive said first and second carriages to said home position.

18. The amusement device of claim 16 wherein said grab means further including a plurality of levers pivotally interconnecting said plurality of fingers to said housing, and wherein said means for pivoting said fingers includes a solenoid disposed within said housing so that actuation of said solenoid causes said levers to pivot said fingers from the first open position to the second closed position.

19. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein said first actuation means is operative to energize said first motor only a single time and to lock out subsequent motor operation.

20. The amusement device of claim 16, wherein said second actuation means is operative to energize said second motor only a single time and to lock out subsequent motor operation.

21. The amusement device of claim 16, further including a plurality of limit switches operative to limit the movement of said first and second carriages along their respective rails, said limit switches being disposed proximate to the ends of said rails.