US2177066A - Amusement game - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, 1939. c. H. HUENERGARDT 2,177,066

AMUSEMENT GAME Filed July 16, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 5 6 3 J9 go 21 22 .2 (7 cf 6 aveizzor 3/ ham-M xfi Oct. 24, 1939. c. H. HUENERGARDT AMUSEMENT GAME Filed Jul 16, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 24, 1939. c. H. HUENERGARDT AMUSEMENT GAME Filed Juiy 16, 19:57

5 Sheets Sheet 3 I Even/Z 0 r za ezzceflz /aeneiyard C. H. HUE'NERGARDT AMUSEMENT GAME Filed July 16, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invemfior CZa rerzceHHZze ei gardi 9 PM 0- 4H Oct. 24, 1939. c. H. HUENERGARDT AMUSEMENT GAME Filed Julyl6, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 68 In 216%? Qarmcefifla I 30. operated spinner for establishing the Go and functions, along w a novel e e t o 30 Patented Oct. 1939 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFlQE.

AMUSEMENT GAME Clarence H. Huenergardt, Cicero, 111. Application July 16, 1937, Serial No. 153,999 20 Claims. (01. 273-141) The invention relates to an amusement game. to those skilled in this art as the disclosure is more More particularly it relates to an amusement fully made. game mechanism in which it is desired to up Briefly, these desirable objects are achieved by erate score de'gnating signal means, such as the electro m'echanical means of this invention electric l mps, by han e, r by skill, in a, predeillustrated in the drawings, in which there is gen- 5 termined sequence, such op er tion being the reerally shown a circuit including a main switch sult of the closing of electrical contacts in an apclosed by coin rele s means and S0 held y propriate ei euin latch means to keep electrical energy flowing lhese games are usually coin released by any into the circuit. Step up Go contacts or reappropriate means, for example, a coin slide, or lease Stop contacts are then closable by chance 10 coin released lever. It is desirable in a cycle of orskill means one at a time. Should a Go conplay, that the m b open for continuous, or tact switch be'closed an electro-magnetic device repeat play or operation within given cycle, so s p a t st p up, one step, a Wiper switch long as the proper contacts are closed to operate to light an electric lamp. Should another Go the lamps or signals to build up a score sequence Switch be closed another lamp, in order, will be ith i; th necessity f having t c i el a lighted, and so on, with the game remaining open thegame ever again, but when an improper 3011-- for continued play SO long as G0 switch C011- tact and circuit is closed, the mechanism being tacts are closed. However, when a St p 00nreleased t c aus th parts to. b l ck d aut tact switch closed, then a release electro-magmatically against further play to terminate the B61310 device Operable permit a Spring to 20 game cycle, and requiring the coin slide, or the dlive h W p Sw 0 its Stfiiting position, like, to be operated anew for the commencement Cause turning OiT Of'the p and finally p of a new game cycle. For example, a prope tion of another electromagnetic device to release tact would be marked, G d keep th game the latched starting switch and hold open the enopen for play, while an improper contact would r i that a game yc e s efin e y 25 be labeled Stop and cause closing of the game ended and the game must be coin released anew. t rev t further play, Generally then,'the gist of the invention resides Th inv ti may b i d t i difierent in the provision of a circuit including electroforms, for instance, in a form including a chance magnetic d es t perform p up nd r as Stop contacts; or in a, pin ball game where switch COIlt I'OlS to'effect the DUIPOSES Of the inballs serve to close the said contacts dependent Vention, all a w later mOTe i y pp a upon the skillof the player in projecting the balls. e aw s The main object of the invention is to provide F gure 1 IS a general front elevational i of an improved amusement game. one form which the invention may assume in 35 Another object is to provide a game in which practice, P gal/me here being the Chance pelectrical contacts are closable either by chance, ed Spinner type;

or skill, to operate a step up switch to operate Figure 2 15 an electrlcal Wlrmg am for signal means in successive order. $1101} a m i pp 40 s m another Dbl-eat is to provide a game in F1gure3 IS a rear elevational view of the spinner 4 which certain contacts serve when closed to keep type game;

. Figure 4 is an enlarged detail side elevational the ame 0 en for further la while certain Contact when closed gels/e lock the game view of the starting switch and final cut out strucagainst further play and cause resetting of turefis seen from the lme of Flgure 3;

flagged up parts to their original starting posifig s igs ie gg ifi ggg? 11 31: fi o??? Another f is t Provide coin released lgure 6 is a view duplicating the showing of ty e 0 game Whlch remams open for repeatplays certain parts as shown in Figure 5, but showing while proper contacts are being closed, but which the parts in a diff t position; 50 immediately upon Closing of an improper 0 Figure 7 is an enlarged back-side elevational tact sets means into operation for preventing View f the t up Wiper Switch Structure; further p y and restori g l parts to their al Figure 8 is a vertical cross sectional view starting positions. through the spinner switch structure, taken along #6 Other importantolojects will become apparent the line 8-8 of Figure 3;

. able identifying legend.

53. The lower end of longitudinal,

Figure 9 is a detail view of the spinner mechanism;

Figure 10 shows a modification of the invention incorporated in a pin ball type of game; s

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the score lamp carrying panel part of the game of Figure 10 Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line I 2-42 of Figure 10 to show the Stop and "Go type of switch utilized; and,

Figure 13 is a when the game isin pin ball form.

First, will be described the chance operated spinner form of game of Figures 1 to'9 inclusive, where for the sake of illustration only, is shown a suitable cabinet having a front, vertical wall l5, which in any suitable manner carries, for example, small electric lamps l6, l7, l6, I9, 20, 2|, 22 and 23 to be lighted, for score, signal, or other purposes in the order of their numbering. To one side thereof is a frame 24 for mounting in the well known way, a coin slide 25, which extends through the wall l5 and into the cabinet which includes a side wall 26, a bottom 27, a rear wall 28, and another side wall 29, a suitable top 36 completing the cabinet, or containe ing box, which may be generally rectangular in shape, as shown. Looking at Figure 1, it will be seen that the front wall l5 also carries a mounting 3! for a suitable plunger 32, which also extends into the cabinet, it now being observed that the coin release slide is located proximate to the side wall 29, while the plunger is proximate to the opposite side wall 26.

Centrally, disposed in the front wall I 5, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 8, is a large circular through opening 33, surrounded by an ornamental metal ring 34,1eaving a circular window 35 behind which is visible a circular spinner disk 36 marked oil in the desired number of segments labelled alternately Stop and Go. The ring 34 includes a marker or pointer 31 to indicate the position of rest ofthe spinner 35 relative to its marked segments. cludes a bracket 38 carried on the inside of the front wall E5 as shown in Figures 3 and 8, said bracket including a housing 39 for mounting a horizontally positioned solenoid 45, having a core 4| reciprocable through an end wall of said housing 39, as shown. The housing 35 includes a depending wall portion 42 mounting forwardly extending studs 43 located in a manner to carry a non-rotatable insulator, circular disk 44 in the wall opening 33. Journaled in said wall 4 2 is a rotatable shaft 45 which passes through the stationary disk '44 in a forward direction, where at its front end it carries for rotation, a turnable disk 46 faced on its outside with the suitable covering marked oif in a suitable number of segments, as shown in Figure 1, said segments preferably being alternately labelled Stop and Go, or by some other suit- Thedisk 46 with its marked facing is thus positioned to occupy the window 35 in an obvious manner, to be visible.

Said shaft 45 has its rearward end journaled in a plate 48 supported by suitable screw pins 49 (see Figs. 3 and 9) from the wall 42. The shaft 45 has pinned thereto a ratchet wheel 50 to turn with the shaft. The core 4| of the solenoid 40 has its free end slotted as at 5i to receive the upper end of a lever 52 loosely pivoted on the shaft 45 and held in place thereonby a spacer integral extension 54 to which, as shown in Figmodifie'd wiring diagram usable the extension 54 to wheel or disk 46, in a manner The spinner assembly inthe lever 52 embodies an 7 of the extension 54 carries a pull spring 6| con' nected to the lever 56 to help engage the pawl portion 5'! thereof with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 56. Obviously, when the solenoid 40 is energized the core 4| pulls the lever 52 to cause move the pawl 51 to engage and spin the ratchet wheel 56, thereby spinning the shaft 45 and with it the When the trip tail 58 hits the stop 59 the pawl 51 is released from the ratchet wheel 55 thereby making possible a free spinning action of .the

that is quite obvibetween the lever as shown in Figthe solenoid 4D ous. A spring 62 is connected 52 and a bracket extension 63, ure 3, to pull the core out of when the latter is deenergized.

The stationary plate 44 is a contact carrying switch structure and carries alternate pairs of contacts 54 and contacts 65. The contacts 64 are Go contacts and the contacts 65 are Stop contacts, as will later appear. Turnable with the disk 46 is a radial wiper switch arm 66 spinning with the disk 46 and coming to rest on one of the buttons 64 or 65 in a chance manner to establish either a Go circuit that will keep the game open for further play, or a Stop circuit which will lock the mechanism against further play, all as will later more fully appear.

On the inside of the wall 29 is a suitable bracket 65' (see Figures 3 and 4) carrying an insulator pack '57 for mounting of an upright spring blade spinner disk 46.

a lever 56 havinga bent switch 68 which is the main power input or final cut-out switch. Adjacent this switch the bracket 56' carries a screw pivot pin 65 for pivotally mounting a bell crank lever 70. Said lever has an upright extension 7| positioned in the path of movement of the coin slide 24 to be engaged thereby, said lever also having'a forward extension 12, carrying a transverse pin 13 positioned to engage one of the switch blades 68 which is extended upwardly for that purpose. A spring 74 coiled around the pivot pin 69 has a leg extension 15 normally urging the bell crank lever 75' to a forward position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4, thus normally holding thespring switch 66 open. When the coin slide 24 is pushed in to engage the extension H the lever 10 is moved rearwardly against said spring 75 to close said main power switch .68. 7 Means is provided releasably to lock said switch in its closed position, and for that purpose a leg of the bell crank lever 16 is formed with a step portion 16 and a relieved face 11. The bracket 66' at its top includes a transverse 68; at the same time the pears in Figure 4. Of course, when the cut out magnet 82 is energized then the armature 19 is released, and the spring is operative to move the bell crank 10 to switch opening position.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5 the floor 21 of the cabinet carries an upright bracket 83 on the upper portion of which is carried a horizontally disposed solenoid 84 by means ofan appropriate bracket 85, said solenoid being termed a step up solenoid or electromagnetic device. This solenoid has the usual spring pushed armature core 86 notched at its free end as at 91 pivotally to receive a pin 88, for connecting the core to an upright lever 89 pivotally mounted at 90 to said bracket 83. Said lever 89 intermediate its ends pivotally carries a pawl 9i pulled downwardly by a coil spring 92 connected between the pawl and a bracket extension 93 carried on the bracket 83.. A stop 94 limits the throw of the pawl 9|.

This pawl 9I engages the teeth on a ratchet wheel 95 turnable with a shaft 95 journaled in the wall 83. The ratchet wheel 95 moves but one step'or tooth at a time by the pawl 9| due to the limiting action of the stop 94. (See Fig. 5.) The shaft 96 on the back side of the wall or bracket ,83 carries a conductor wiper arm 91 as seen best in Figure 1 to turn with the shaft 95 and move from a starting position on an electrical contact or button over similar buttons carried on asector insulator plate 98 suitably fastened to the upper portion of the bracket 53. The conductor buttons on this sector plate are shown at 99, and they are respectively connected by wires II'III to the lamps I6, I1, I8, etc. A coil spring II is wound around the shaft 96 in any suitable way, the spring having a leg I52 bearing against andpressing an arm I53 fast on the shaft 96 against a stop I94 mounted on the bracket 83, as shown. When the arm I93 is against the stop I54, the wiper switch arm 91 is at rest on the first or starting contact button 99, as shown in Figure .1.

Below the step up device 84, the wall bracket 83 carries a suitable support I55 for a horizontally disposed solenoid I95 which may be termed the release solenoid, the same having a suitable double-ended armature core I91 of conventional type. One end thereof is notched or hooked to embrace a pin I58 rigidly carried on the lower end of an upright dog lever I59 pivotally mounted on a pin III) carried by the bracket 83, as shown in Figure 5. A spring III serves to pull the dog I99 yieldably into engagement with the ratchet wheel 95 to hold its gain. An adjustable screw II2 can be set to limit the throw of the core I91. Positioned on the bracket 83 adjacent the opposite end of the core IE1 is a normally open spring blade contact switch I I3 which is closed when the releaser solenoid is energized. This switch H3 may be termed the final cut out switch.

7 On the wall 26 of the cabinet adjacent the inner end of the plunger 32, as seen best in Figure 5, is a bracket III carrying a normally open, manually closable spring blade switch H5 carried on and insulated from a support III) which carries an electromagnet II1 for which is provided an upright, hingedarmature H9 including Adjacent the armature is pivotally carried a depending lever I having a circular head at its fulcrum formed with a notch I2I. The head also includes an arm portion I22 formed with a cam head to engage and close the spring switch II5, a spring I23 being suitably connected, as shown, to hold the lever I20 normally in switch opening position, as viewed in Figure 5. The magnet H1 is termed the stepup out out magnet and controls opening of the switch H5.

To the rear of the structure just described, the wall 26 carries a mounting plate I23 on which is carried a pair of roller guides I25 for slidably carrying a horizontal bar I25 having a bent end I26 to be abutted by the plunger 22 when the latter is operated, to shift said bar I25 inwardly. A roller pin I21 is carried on the bar I25 and a spring I28 connects between said pin I21 and a bracket I25, said spring serving to retract the bar I25.

A bracket I29 on the plate I23 includes a suitable insulation pack for mounting three separate, upright, spring blade contact switches, numbered I38, I33! and I32. These springs include substantially arcuately alined contacts whereby these switches may be closed by a single operating member in successive order. The switch I39 is the spinner control switch for solenoid 40, the switch I3I is a step up or release switch for either the step up solenoid 84, or the release solenoid I96; and the switch I32 is the step up out out switch for the magnet III.

The wall plate I23 carries a pivot pin I33 on which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends a lever I36 which at its upper end has a boss I35 to engage and close the switch I39. A spring I35 nornialy pulls the lever I35 against a stop pin I31 so that the lever is in the position of Figure 5 with the pad or boss I55 engaging and closing the switch I39.

The pivot pin I33 also pivotally and independently carries an upright auxiliary lever I35 whose fulcrum is at its lower end. The upper end of said lever I38 carries an insulated pad I39 to engage and close the switch I3I, while one of the switch blades ISI carries a similar pad I III for closing the switch I32. The lever I38 carries a rigid pin Hi! to which is loosely connected the piston rod I52 of a dash pot I43 mounted on the plate I23, as shown. A spring I54 normally holds the rod I52 out of the dash pot cylinder I63.

Just above the slide bar I25 the plate I23 carries a pivot pin I55 for mounting intermediate its ends a bell crank type of lever I55 having one arm pressed by a spring I51 yieldably to ride the roller I21, while the other end of the lever is notched at I58 to cooperate with a latch pin I49 on the lever I3 I as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6.

Looking now to the wiring diagram of Figure 2, it will be seen that a suitable source of electrical energy is indicated at I56, a lead I"I going therefrom to one side of the main power switch 58. A wire I52 goes from the other side of switch (58 to the step up out out magnet III and another wire I53 goes from one side of the switch 58 to one side of the final cut out switch Hit. A wire I54 from the other side of switch H3 leads to a main wire I55 connected to the battery I55 and to side of each of the electric lamps I5, I1, I8, etc., as shown. The wires I90 run respectively from these lamps to the respective contact buttons 59 on the switch plate 98 as already described, and a wire I55 leads from the wiper switch arm 91 to the wire I52. A wire I51 leads from the magnet I I1 to one side of the step up out out switch I32 and a wire I58 leads from the opposite side of the switch I32 to a wire I59 and thence to the main wire I55. One side of the step up or release switch I3I is connected by a wire IE9 to the wiper switch 55 of the spinner as shown. All of the Go buttons M connect with a common wire I5I on the stationary contact member 44 which in turn is connected to a lead I62 running to one side of the switch II5. All of the Stop buttons 65 connect with a common wire I63 connected by a lead I64 to the releaser solenoid I66. A wire I65 connects the other side of switch M5 to the solenoid 84 and wire I52, and a wire I 66 connects solenoid I06 to the same wire I52.

A Wire I61 connects the opposite side of the sWitch I3I with wire I58, wire I59 and main line I55; while a wire I68 runs from one side of the spinner switch I36 to the spinner solenoid 40 and back to wire I52; the opposite side of said switch I36 being connected by the wire I59 to the wire I55 and the opposite side of the battery.

This completes the description of the spinner type of structure. In Figures 10 to 13 inclusive is a pin ball modification where skill in projecting balls determines the closing of Stop and Go switches.

In this modification a standard pin ball game cabinet is shown at I 66 having a coin release slide I10 and the usual ball projecting plunger I II for rolling balls one at a time through a side passage I72 and onto the usual play board I73. The rear end of the cabinet may have an upward extension I'I I carrying electric lamps I15 corresponding to the lamps I6, I I, I6, etc., and provided for the same purpose. The board I I3 is formed with any desired number of holes M6 to receive the balls, each hole having arranged therebelow in any suitable manner a normally open spring blade contact switch I71. Some of the switches I'Il' may be Go switches leading to the step up solenoid B4 of the circuit as shown in Figure 13 for stepping up the wiper switch 3? as in the diagram of Figure 2; and some are Stop switches leading to the releaser solenoid I06 to lock out the game and prevent further play which means further shooting of the balls, until the coin release slide I10 is operated.

The manner of use and mode of operation of the game of Figures 1 to 9 will now be described.

At the start the main power switch 68 is open; the plunger closed switch I I5 is open; and the bank of switches I36, I3I and I32 are in the position shown in Figure 5. The fact that some are closed makes no difference since the main power switch 68 is open. All parts are therefore deenergized. The wiper 66 can be located any place on the stationary contacts 64, 65 and the Wiper 67 is in its initial starting position on the first button for lamp I The first step is to coin release the slide 25 by pushing same into the cabinet, thus abutting same against the lever II (see Fig. 4), causing the pin 73 to close the main power switch 68.

leasably latching the switch 68 in its closed position. The magnet 82 is deenergized since its switch H3 is open.

The next step is for the player to operate the plunger 32 by pushing on same whereupon the lever I 26 is swung to close the switch H5 (see Fig. 6) the latch II 9 instantly serving to en gage the notch I2I in said lever I 'to hold the said switch I I5 releasably closed. Since switch I32 is momentarily open the magnet I I! is deenergized, as shown in Figure 6. This same movement of the plunger 32 has also pushed the bar I in a manner causing roller pin I 27 to engage the lower end of the lever I34 and swing it about its fulcrum I33. Since the pad I35 is on the main lever I34 it also moves the auxiliary lever I38 to the .full line .position shown in Figure 6. With the upper ends of levers I34, I38 swung forwardly all switches I30, I3I and I32 are now open and the piston rod I42 is pushed into the dash pot cylinder I43. With the roller I27 in the position of Figure 6 the spring I41 the player new releases the plunger 32, the spring I26 pulls the bar I25 forwardly so that roller I21 engages under the lever I46 and frees the lock I43, I49, whereupon the spring I36 quickly pulls the lever I34 to the dotted line position of Figure 6 thus causing the pad I35 to engage and close at this instant only the spinner switch I30. Thus a circuit from battery I50 runs through II, 68, I52, 40, I66, I30 and. wire I55 back to the battery to energize the solenoid 40.

The core 4| of this solenoid is now operated to spin the ratchet wheel and wiper switch arm 66 until it comes to rest on either a Go button 64 or a Stop button 65. We will assume it comes to rest, by chance, on aGo button 64. Since switch I3I has not yet been closed nothing happens. The dash pot I43 and its'piston rod I62 serve as a timer in that the return of cooked auxiliary lever I38 is thereby delayed. As said lever I33 now returns to full line position of starting position again. Saidpad I39 in the same movement now also closes the step up switch I3I completing a circuit (Fig. 2) from I50 through I5I, 63, I52, 84, I65, II5, I62, 64, 66, I60, I3I, I 59 and I back to the battery. Atthis on the first button The gain of the ratchet wheel 35 and wiper 9'! is maintained by the dog I 09.

As the switch I3I was closed by the push of the lever I38, such pressure also acted through pad I 40 on the switch I3I to close the switch I32, thus through wires I58, I 51 which consequently the magnet I I I is energized to operate the armature flap III and release the lock on lever I20 to open the switch H5. Thus, one step up play play in an effort to tally another Go contact on the spinner to step up and turn on the lamps in succession.

In the event the wiper 66 now comes to rest on a Stop contact 65 the switch I3I, which also serves as a releaser control switch, is closed in the way above described completing a circuit from battery I56, through ISI, 66, I52, I56, I64, 65, 66, I66, I3 I, I53 and through I55 back to the battery,

thus energizing the releaser solenoid I 66. The' core I6? thus flips the dog lever I66 to free the ratchet wheel 05, whereupon the spring IIII is operative to swing the switch arm 91 back to its starting position on the first button 33, as determined by'the stop arm I63 and stop I04. As previously describedthe switch I32 is closed to energize the magnet ill and cause opening of the switch I I5. I At the same time as the releaser solenoid operated, the opposite end of the core Hi1 engaged and closed the final cut out switch H3 thus closing a .circuit from battery E55 through [5L 6%, I53, H3, i5 4, andback to battery causing the magnet 82 to be energized, whereupon the flap i9 is attracted and the main cut out switch 68 is opened, shutting off all entry of current into the system. Now the game cycle is definitely over, and if further play is desired the slide 25 must be coin released to close the main switch 68 for a new game cycle.

' In the pin ball modification the coin slide H serves toclose'a switch 68, but the dropping of balls through holes H6 serves to close the Go or Stop switches ill the remainder of the circuit as indicated in Figure 13 being substantially the same as that shown in Figure 2. In Figure 13 the step up solenoid and releaser solenoid are shown wired to a Go switch l1! and a Stop switch From the disclosure it can now be seen that an improved and fascinating game has been provided which achieves the objects heretofore recited.

It is the intention to cover all changes and modifications not departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying'a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a. circuit including the lights in parallel, a main switch closable to put energy into the circuit, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a single releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, means comprising a rotary spinner switch automatically operable when the main switch is closed and having contacts closable to cause energization of either the step up or releaser device, switch means for causing energization of either the step up or releaser device depending upon which of said rotary spinner contact switches is closed, and means for opening the main switch when the releaser device is operated. Y 1

'2. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel, a main switch closable to put energy into the circuit, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device'in the circuit, a step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, rotary switch means automatically operable when the main switch is closed to cause energization of either the step up or releaser device, and means for opening the main switch when the releaser device is operated. I

' 3. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit includingthe lights in parallel, a main switch closable to put energy into the circuit, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, means to cause energization of either the step up or reelectromagnetic device in leaser device, a common switch for causing energization of either the step up or releaser device, means for opening the main switch when the releaser device is operated, and means operable automatically when the releaser device is operated to restore the step up switch to an initial starting position.

4. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, a common switch means closable to cause energization of either the step up or releaser device, and means for automatically restoring the step up switch to an initial starting position when thereleaser device is operated.

5. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel, a main switch closable to put energy into the circuit, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser the circuit, a' step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, a switch closable to cause energization of the step up or releaser device, a switch means closable to cause energization of the releaser device, and means for automatically opening the main switch when the releaser device is operated.

6. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel, a main switch closable to put energy into the circuit, means urged to circuit-opening position releasably to lock the main switch in closed position, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, means comprising other contact switches closable to cause energization of either the step up or releaser device, switch means for causing energization of either the step up or releaser device depending upon which of said other contact switches is closed, and out out electromagnetic device to release the main switch lock whereupon the main switch opens when the releaser device is operated, the main switch being opened automatically when the cut out electromagnetic device is energized.

'7. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel, a main switch manually closable to put energy into the circuit, means releasably to hold the main switch closed, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively lighting the lights, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, means comprising other contact switches closable to cause energization of either the step up or releaser device, switch means for causing energization of either the step up or releaser device depending upon which of said other contact switches is closed, and automatically acting means for opening the main switch when the releaser device is operated.

8. An amusement game including a cabinet game including a cabinet g a plurality of electric signals to be successively operated, said game comprising acircuit including the switch closable to put energy into the circuit, a step upelectromagnetic device in the circuit, a

releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a

step up switch in the circuit including contacts for successively operating the signals, said step up switch being operable by the step up device, a

the step up or releaser device, and means for automatically opening the main switch when the releaser device is operated. 10. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be sucmounted in the cabinet including contacts and a wiper switch, an electromagnetic device included in the circuit, means operable by the device closing of the said three switches, the first closed switch of the three causing energization of the spinner electromagnetic device to spin the spinner, the second switch of the three causing enmanual means is operated, a step up out out electromagnetic device operable when the last of said three switches is closed to open the step up out out switch, and meansoperable to open the main switch when the releaser device is energized.

signals in parallel, a main other of said bank ried in the cabinet, manually released operable means to cause successive closing of the said three switches, the first closed switch of the three causing energization of the spinner electromagnetic device to spin the spinner, the second switch of the three causing energization of either the step 12, An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be sucincluding leads to cause successive lighting of the lights, a bank of independent ,switches'carried' in the cabinet, manual means to cause successive closing of the said switches of the bank for causing energization of the spinner electromagnetic device to spin the spinner and for causing energization of either the step up or releaser device depend ng when the manual means is operated, a step up out out electromagnetic device operable when anof switches is closed to open the step up out out switch, and means operable to open the main switch when the releaser device is energized.

13. An amusement game including-a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric signals to be sucsaid switches, one closed switch of the bank causing energization of the spinner electromagnetic device to spin the of the bank causing energization of either theup out out switch closable spinner, another switch 14. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel and a spinner mounted in the cabinet including contacts and a wiper switch, an electromagnetic device included in the circuit, means operable by the device to spin the spinner and cause its wiper switch to engage a contact thereon, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch operable from the step up device including leads to cause successive lighting of the lights, a bank of three independent switches carried in the cabinet, manually initiated automatically acting means to cause successive closing of the said three switches, the first closed switch of the three causing energization of the spinner electromagnetic device to spin the spinner, the second switch of the three causing energization of either the step up or releaser device depending upon which spinner contact is in circuit, a step up out out switch closable when the manual means is operated, a step up out out electromagnetic device operable when the last of said three switches is closed to open the step up out out switch, means operable to open the main switch when the releaser device is energized, and timer means to prevent closing of the second and third switches in the bank until the spinner has come to a position of rest.

15. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel and a spinner mounted in the cabinet including contacts and a wiper switch, a solenoid included in the circuit, means operable by the solenoid to spin the spinner and cause its wiper switch to engage a contact thereon, a step up solenoid in the circult, a releaser solenoid in the circuit, a step up switch operable from the step up solenoid including leads to cause successive lighting of the lights, a bank of switches carried in the cabinet, manually initiated automatically acting means to cause successive closing of the said switches, one switch of the bank causing energization of the spinner solenoid to spin the spinner, another switch of the bank causing energization of either the step up or releaser solenoid depending upon which spinner contact is in circuit, a step up out out switch closable when the manual means is operated, a step up out out electromagnet operable when another of said switches is closed to open the step up out out switch, and means operable to open the circuit when the releaser solenoid is energized.

16. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel, a main power input switch, means to close said main switch, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch operable from the step up device including leads to cause successive lighting of the lights, a set of independent switches carried in the cabinet, a single means to cause successive closing of the said switches, one switch of the set causing energization of the step up device, another switch causing energization of the releaser device, and means automatically operable to open the main switch when the releaser device is energized.

1'7. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights to be successively lighted, said game comprising a circuit including the lights in parallel and a set of contacts and a wiper switch, means to cause the wiper switch to engage one of the contacts, a main power input switch, means to close said main switch, a step up electromagnetic device in the circuit, a releaser electromagnetic device in the circuit, a step up switch operable from the step up device including leads to cause successive lighting of the lights, a switch carried in the cabinet, manually controlled means to cause closing of the said switch, the said switch causing energization of either the step up or releaser device depending upon which contact of the set of contacts is in circuit, a step up out out switch closable when the manual means is operated, a step up out out electromagnetic device operable at a predetermined time to open the step up cut out switch, and means operable to open the main switch when the releaser device is energized.

18. An amusement game including a cabinet carrying a plurality of electric lights in parallel to be successively lighted, said game comprising a set of stationary contacts and a wiper switch therefor, a step up switch including wires leading to the lights respectively, a step up electromagnetic device to step up the step up switch, gain control means for the step up switch, a releaser electromagnetic device to release the gain control means and cause resetting of the step up device, some of the stationary contacts in the set leading to the step up device and some leading to the releaser device, means to set the wiper switch in a chance manner, and switch control means serving to keep the game open for play while step up circuits are established and instantly cutting ofi the game for further play when a releaser circuit is established.

19. An amusement game comprising a cabinet including an electric circuit having electric lights in parallel to be successively lighted, a manually set main power input switch to control supply of energy for the circuit, manually initiated means to be operated repeatedly to light the lights one at a time and successively, rotary switch means operable in a chance manner to control the manually initiated means, a releaser means, and means to keep the game open for repeated play and continued lighting of the lights until the releaser means is operated, and means operable when the releaser means works automatically to open the main input switch.

20. An amusement game comprising a cabinet including an electric circuit having electric lights in parallel to be successively lighted, a manually set main power input switch to control supply of energy for the circuit, means including contacts for lighting the lights successively, a spinner mechanism for controlling the aforementioned means in a chance manner, means whereby the player may repeatedly operate the spinner mechanism to light the lights as mentioned, means to keep the game open for continued and repeated play so long as the spinner mechanism when operated acts to light the lights in succession, and means operable to prevent further play of the game and operation of the spinner mechanism when the latter in operation does not establish a circuit that will cause lighting of the next successive light.

CLARENCE H. I-IUENERGARDT.

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