Number game apparatus

J. L. HUNOL.D

NUMBER GAME APPARATUS

Oct. 18, 1955

Filed June 14, 1954

2,721,082

Sheets-Sheet 1

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INVENTOR.

James L. Hunold

BY .

ΑΤΤΰ/WEy

Oct. 18, 1955

2,721,082

J. L. HUNOLD

NUMBER GAME APPARATUS

Filed June 14, 1954

Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTOR.

James L. Hunold

BY —

ATTORNEy

Oct. 18, 1955 j. l. hunold 2,721,082

NUMBER GAME APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US2721082A_D0004.tif" />

BY

<img file="US2721082A_D0005.tif" />

ATTDfWEy

United States Patent Office

2,721,082

Patented Oct. 18, 1955

2,721,082

NUMBER GAME APPARATUS

James L. Hunold, Neshanic Station, N. J.

Application June 14,1954, Serial No. 436,521

Claims. (Cl. 273—138)

This invention relates to games. More particularly, the invention has reference to a game device wherein rotation of a game board is effective to set into operation a vertically reciprocable mechanism for causing ball elements to drop into radial alleys extending to the periphery of the board.

One important object is to provide a novel means for effecting gravity feed of the ball elements to radially extending, inclined ramps, through a cam action adapted to effect up-and-down movement of a feed cylinder into and out of registration with the outlet of a container for the ball elements. Another object is to so design the container and the vertically shiftable feed cylinder as to permit the container to be formed in the simulation of an animal or bird, with the container being rotatable with the game board, while the feed cylinder is being held against rotation but is being shifted vertically.

A further object is to provide in the container an outlet means adapted to permit gravitation of ball elements therefrom into a relatively small opening of the feed cylinder in all positions to which the container is rotated relative to the cylinder, whenever said opening of the cylinder shifts vertically into the plane of the container outlet means.

Still another object is to incorporate in the structure an improved cam means associated with the vertically shifting feed cylinder mechanism, including spaced cams secured to said mechanism and cam-engaging wheels mounted upon the rotary portion of the game board in positions in which the wheels will ride over the cams to cause a vertical movement of the feed cylinder mechanism responsive to the rotary motion of the game board.

Yet another object is to include in the mounting for the feed cylinder mechanism means for effecting predetermined vertical adjustments of said mechanism relative to the rotary part of the structure.

A further object is to include in the structure a removable cover piece bearing suitable pictorial, numerical, and other playing indicia, with the cover piece being removable along with the ball element container for substitution of a new piece and new container, bearing different indicia and a different container shape, respectively, this being provided for the purpose of increasing the versatility of the game.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this diclosure:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the game device, portions being broken away.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detail sectional view substantially online 3—3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, drawn to the same scale as Fig. 3, taken substantially on line 4—4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the ball element container taken on line 5—5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through said container substantially on line 6—6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, detail sectional view on line 7—7 of Fig. 1.

A solid, flat, horizontally disposed, circular base 10 is formed with a vertical, smooth-walled center bore 12 communicating at its upper end with a counterbore 14 opening 10 upwardly through the flat top surface of the base, and communicating at its lower end with a frusto-conical concavity 16 opening downwardly on the underside of the base. Counterbore 14, at its inner end, has a portion 18 of noncircular, as for example hexagonal, cross section, 15 and complementing the portion 18 and fitting snugly therein is an inner nut 20 held against rotation by the noncircular portion IS. An outer nut 22 is engaged against the inner wall of concavity 16. The lower end of a vertical, elongated, externally threaded post 24 extends through 20 bore 12, and within counterbore 14 and concavity 16 is threadedly engaged by nuts 20, 22, respectively. In this way, the post 24 is stationarily mounted on base 10, extending upwardly therefrom, with the post being adjustable vertically to any desired extent by loosening of the 25 nuts 20, 22 for elevation or lowering of the post as desired, with the nuts being retightened after the adjustment has been made.

Seated in counterbore 14 on nut 20 is a ball bearing 26, and secured to one race of the bearing and supported 30 thereupon is a flat, circular washer 28 circumposed about but out of engagement with post 24. Washer 28 is secured to the underside of the central portion of a flat bottom plate 30 of substantially greater diameter than base 10, the bottom plate having a center opening through which 35 post 24 extends. In this way, the bottom plate is mounted for free rotation upon base 10, about the stationary post 24. The center opening of the bottom plate has been designated by the reference numeral 32, and secured within opening 32 is the lower end of a sleeve 34 surrounding the 40 post, the sleeve rotating with the bottom plate and having a smooth-walled axial bore the surface of which is wholly out of contact with post 24.

Fixedly mounted upon bottom plate 30 is a series of radially extending partitions 36. These are disposed in ₄- vertical planes upon the bottom plate, and are spaced equal distances apart throughout the circumference of the plate, whereby to define upon the plate a circumferential series of radially extending chambers, that increase progressively in width in a direction away from _go the center of the plate, toward the outer periphery thereof.

The outer ends of the partitions 36 are arcuately cut away as at 38 (Fig. 2) and the reduced outer terminal portions of the partitions defined by recessing of the partition ends in this manner abut against an upstanding circumferential lip 40 secured to the outer periphery of ⁵⁰ plate 30.

Mounted fixedly between each pair of adjacent partitions 36 is an inclined ramp 42 extending the full width of the chamber defined by said pair of adjacent par60 ^ddons' Fhe ramps 42 are inclined downwardly in a direction away from the axis of rotation of the bottom plate, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the outer ends of the ramps terminate short of the lip 40, and in the annular space defined between said outer ends of the several ramps 42 and the lip 40 there are mounted, ^b5 in vertical positions, dividers 44. These are spaced equal distances apart between each pair of adjacent partitions, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 7, dividers 44 are low in height, the purpose of the dividers being to divide the outer end of each of the chambers into a plurality of receiving spaces of equal width.

Adjacent the inner or upper end of each ramp there

2,721, 3 is mounted thereon an elongated deflector 46. Each deflector 46, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is turned obliquely to the longitudinal eenter line of the ramp on which it is mounted, the purpose of this arrangement being to cause ball elements, to be described hereinafter, 5 to be directed to one side of the chamber when they enter the same, the ball elements striking said side and caroming therefrom back into the midwidth part of the chamber.

Mounted on each ramp, between the outer end there- to of and the deflector 46 of the ramp, is a series of transversely spaced guide strips 48, arranged longitudinally of the ramp. Thus, the ball element, after caroming off one side wall of the Chamber, will pass through one of the spaces defined by the several guide strips, so as to be guid- 15 ed to a corresponding receiving space at the outer end of the chamber.

Secured fixedly to and overlying the several partitions is a flat top plate 50, said top plate being disposed on a horizontal plane and terminating at the arcuately cut 20 away portions of the partitions. The top plate 50 covers the several chambers, and being secured fixedly to the partitions, rotates with the bottom plate and partitions. A removable cover piece 52 is supported upon the top plate, and rotates therewith. In the illustrated example, 25 the cover piece 52 has equidistantly spaced radially extending line markings 54, intersected by concentrically arranged line markings 56, to define areas in which numerical indicia 58 are provided. Within the outer circular series of said areas three may be provided fastener 30 elements 60 to which counters 62, which can be in the simulation of animals, birds, or the like, are removably attached during playing the game. Numerical indicia 64, corresponding to the indicia 58, can be provided in the receiving spaces as shown in Fig. 1. 35

Of course, the cover piece 52 can be removed for substitution of a new cover piece having a different set of line markings and indicia, and it will thus be seen that any of various games can be played, at little increase in cost, it being necessary only that a plurality of cover 40 pieces be provided, which cover pieces can be manufactured from inexpensive materials such as thin cardboard orthelike.

At their inner ends, the several partitions are formed with inwardly opening recesses 66 of right angular shape, 45 said inner ends of the partitions also being provided with inwardly extending overhanging portions 68 extending over the recesses -66 as shown in Fig. 3. The overhanging portions 68 having inclined bottom edges, for a purpose to ^:bemade presently apparent. ₅₀

As brought out hereinbefore, the base and post 24 are stationary at all times, but the radially chambered game board defined by bottom plate ,30, .partitions 36, top plate 50, cover piece 52, .and the other parts supported upon these elements, is .rotatably mounted upon 55 the base, for-rotation about the axis defined by post 24.

There will now be described a feed .cylinder mechanism which does not rotate with the game board, but which is supported upon the post for vertical movement, upwardly and downwardly, axially .of .the post. co

The feed cylinder mechanism includes a vertically extending standard 70, having .intermediate its ends a longitudinal slot 72 opening upon , diametrically opposite portions of the standard. The post 24 is of hollow formation, having a smooth-walled axial bore opening upon θθ opposite ends thereof, and the .standard 70 is vertically slidable within the post. The post is provided with a cross pin 74, extending through slot 72, to limit the vertical reciprocating movement of the standard 70 .'in opposite directions. 70

Integrally formed upon the upper end of the standard 79 is a threaded.extension 76 greater in diameter.than the main portion of the standard, .and threaded .info a downwardly opening, complementarity .threaded,cup 78 fixedly secured within a centrally located bottom .recess 73

082 .

formed in a frusto-conical head 80. Head 80 is thus carried by and is normally fixedly secured to the standard, shifting upwardly and downwardly with the standard. The head can, however, be given an initial adjustment vertically of the standard, by threading of the head longitudinally of the standard to a selected position.

A vertically disposed feed cylinder 82 is fixedly secured to and extends upwardly from the flattened, small end of head 80. Cylinder 82 is closed at its opposite ends, the closed lower end of the cylinder being provided with a transversely inclined floor or bp.ttom surface 84, said surface being inclined downwardly to an outlet opening 86 formed in the side wall of the cylinder at the lower end thereof. The purpose of the inclined bottom surface of the cylinder is to cause ball elements gravitating within the cylinder to be guided to the outlet opening of the cylinder.

Intermediate the opposite ends of the cylinder there is formed in the side wall thereof an inlet opening 88. A ball container 90, formed in the simulation of an animal or bird, is supported upon the cover piece 52 in close proximity to the cylinder 82. The coyer piece 52, in fact, can be adhesively or otherwise fixedly secured to the lower end of the container 90, thus to permit the container and the cover piece to be a unit removable bodily from the top plate 50 and feed cylinder 82, for substitution of a new unit having a differently marked cover piece and a differently shaped container. In the illustrated example, the container is in the simulation of a bear, the arms 92 of which are extended about the upper end portion of the feed cylinder. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the feed cylinder is externally configured to represent a tree trunk, and thus in the illustrated embodiment the bear appears to be hugging said trunk. The feed cylinder is, however, vertically shiftable relative -to the container 90, and accordingly, the inner surfaces of the arms are not positioned to bind against the cylinder, the cylinder being freely slidable in the circular opening defined by the clasped arms of the animal figure.

The arms 92, being clasped as indicated above, define an annular conduit extending about the cylinder, said conduit -being designated -by the reference numeral 94 and -being shown to particular advantage in Fig. 5. The inner wall -96 of said conduit is of annular formation, being concentric with the cylinder, the cylinder being slidably engaged-with said inner wall. In the inner wall 96, at the lower end thereof, there is formed a slot 98 extending continuously through the entire periphery of the conduit 94, said slot registering with the inlet opening 88 of tiie feed cylinder when the feed cylinder is vertically shifted in an -upward direction to the position thereof shown in the several figures of the drawings.

The upper end of the container is formed open and is normally closed by a cap TOO which in the illustrated example is formed as the-head of the bear, said cap having at its lower end-the downwardly extending flange 102 engaging in the open upper end of the body of the container. The body of .the container is formed with a large cavity .1-04, having a flat bottom -106 merging into the bottom of conduit -94, the conduit communicating’ at its opposite ends with said cavity 104 as shown in Fig. ’5.

A plurality of ball elements 408 are normally held within cavity 104,-said ball elements gravitating into the conduit .94. If desired, the bottom of-the cavity and the bottom surface.of>the conduit can be suitably inclined-to cause the several ball .elements to -gravitate to-the inner periphery of the conduit, for .passage through the slot 98. Normally, however, a large number of ball elements wijl .^e -held within ,the eayity, .and said elements .will naturally tend to shift through the slot 98, jmrticularly in view of the fact that .the container -as being rotated within ,a circular .path about an .axis defined ,by .the cylinder 82, thus causing the ball elements to be continuously agitated within.thecontainer.

In any event, when the .cylinder 82,is shifted upwardly

2,721,082 to the position shown in the several figures of the drawings, its single inlet opening 88 will move upwardly into the plane of the continuous slot 98, thus permitting the ball elements to move through the slot and inlet opening as shown in Fig. 3, to gravitate to the lower end of the cylinder. A different number of ball elements may move through the slot and opening at any one time, thus adding to the element of uncertainty in the playing of the game.

Means is provided to shift the feed cylinder 82 upwardly at predetermined intervals, and in the illustrated example, the feed cylinder will move upwardly twice during each single rotation of the game board and container through 360°. To this end (see Figs. 3 and 4) there are fixedly secured to the underside of the head 80 diametrically opposite cams 110, said cams being of arcuate formation and being in concentric relation to the axis of rotation of the game board. The cams have arcuate undersides, the cams tapering toward their opposite ends, so as to cause the cams to be progressively reduced in height or thickness from their midlength point toward the opposite ends thereof.

Wheels 112 disposed diametrically opposite one another are located in the center space defined in the game board by the angular recesses 66 of the radial partitions 36. The wheels 112 are secured to shafts 114, journalled in bearings 116 attached to the undersides of the adjacent ramps 42.

The wheels 112 are so located as to cause the cams 110 to extend into the paths of the wheels during rotation of the game board. As a result, during each single rotation of said board, the wheels 112 will cause the head 80, and hence the feed cylinder 82, to be shifted upwardly twice. During each upward movement of the feed cylinder, its opening 88 will be brought into registry with the slot 98, permitting ball elements 108 to gravitate through the registered slot and inlet opening to the bottom of the cylinder. In the bottom of the cylinder, said ball elements will gravitate down the inclined surface 84, to the outlet opening 86. While the cylinder 82 is in its up position, the outlet opening 86 will be closed by the adjacent edge of the center opening of the top plate 50, as best shown in Fig. 3. However, when the wheels 112 move past the cams 110, the outlet opening 86 will be uncovered simultaneously with movement of the inlet opening 88 out of registration with the slot 98. As a result of uncovering of the outlet opening 86, the ball elements which had moved through the inlet opening 88 into the cylinder 82 will fall out of the outlet opening 86, and will gravitate down the inclined path represented by the conical outer surface of the head 80. The head 80, in this position of the parts, will move downwardly to locate the periphery thereof at the inner ends of the ramps 42, thus causing the ball elements to fall off the head 80 onto said ramps. The ball elements will now gravitate down the ramps 42, to the receiving spaces at the outer ends of the chambers defined between the several partitions 36.

Suitable scoring rules can be adopted, depending upon the indicia marked on the floors of the receiving spaces.

From the above, it will be seen that a very attractive feature in the game resides in the uncertainty whereby any number of ball elements may gravitate into the feed cylinder, on each elevation of said cylinder. Thus, when the game board is spun, so as to freely rotate for an indeterminate time during a single play, the cylinder 82 will be vertically reciprocated rapidly, an indeterminate number of times, with the number of times the cylinder is reciprocated depending upon the number of rotations of the game board during said single play. An indeterminate number of ball elements will thus gravitate into the feed cylinder, moving outwardly to the outer periphery of the game board, thus to permit scoring according to the number of ball elements released, and the receiving spaces entered by said elements.

Due to the fact that different containers, having different animal or bird shapes, may have their outlet slots at different elevations relative to the top plate 50 of the game board, it is desirable to permit vertical adjustment of the feed cylinder, and the threaded connection between the head 80 and standard 70 permits this adjustment to be readily made. Further, still further adjustment for this purpose can be made by removing nut 22, and threading post 24 vertically within nut 20, after which nut 22 is returned into engagement with the post. Under these circumstances, the extent of upward movement by engagement of the wheels with the cams will be reduced or increased, depending upon the extent of vertical adjustment made. This, however, can be permitted by the user only to the extent desired, so as to still assure that the inlet opening of the cylinder will be registered with the outlet slot of the particular container being used.

The rules whereby a game can be played are not provided herein, since obviously they cannot impart patentability to the structure, and would only serve to prolong the description of said structure unnecessarily. It will be understood, however, that the rules can be varied as desired, and particularly is this true in view of the fact that an important feature of the invention resides in the removability of the cover piece and figure wherein the ball elements are contained, for substitution of a new cover piece and figure-simulating container.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.