Electrically-operable game apparatus

Claim 2

A game apparatus comprising a playing board having designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when the playing piece is positioned on the super-jacent location to become closed, an electrically-energizeable signal device connected to all of said switches, an indexable distributor mechanism having a series of contacts, one for each switch, said contacts being electrically connected to said signal device, said distributor mechanism further including a movable wiper arm adapted to traverse said contacts successively upon indexing of the distributor mechanism, a pair of electric leads adapted for connection to a source of electric current, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches, the other lead being connected to said wiper arm, and manually-operable means for indexing said distributor mechanism.

Claim 3

A game apparatus comprising a playing board having numerically-designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when the playing piece is positioned on the superjacent location to become closed, a pair of electrically-energizeable signal devices each of which is connected to all of said switches, an indexable distributor mechanism having a series of contacts, one for each switch, certain of said contacts being electrically connected to one of said signal devices and the remainder of said contacts being electrically connected to the other signal device, said distributor mechanism further including a movable wiper arm adapted to traverse said contacts successively upon indexing of the distributor mechanism, a pair of electric leads adapted for connection to a source of electric current, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches, the other lead being connected to said wiper arm, and manually-operable means for indexing said distributor mechanism.

Claim 4

A game apparatus comprising a playing board having numerically-designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when the playing piece is positioned on the superjacent location to become closed, a pair of electrically-energizeable signal devices each of which is connected to all of said switches, an indexable distributor mechanism having a series of contacts, one for each switch, certain of said contacts being electrically connected to one of said signal devices and the remainder of said contacts being electrically connected to the other signal device, said distributor mechanism further including a movable wiper arm adapted to traverse said contacts successively upon indexing of the distributor mechanism, a pair of electric leads adapted for connection to a source of electric current, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches, the other lead being connected to said wiper arm, and manually-operable means for indexing said distributor mechanism.

Claim 5

A game apparatus as set orth in claim 2 and wherein said playing board is divided into two sections having numerically-designated locations thereon which are identical in Number and relative disposition thus affording a playing terrritory for each of two players.

Claim 6

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 2 and wherein said indexable distributor mechanism embodies a fixed distributor plate on which said contacts are arranged in a circular series in circumferentially-spaced relationship, the wiper arm extends radially of said series so that its distal end traverses the series and moves from one contact to another during each indexing operation of the mechanism, and said manually-operable means for indexing the distributor mechanism comprises a ratchet wheel connected to the wiper arm, a pawl for periodically advancing said ratchet wheel, and a spring-biased plunger effective upon depression and release therof to actuate said pawl.

Claim 7

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and including, additionally, an electrically-operable mechanism effective upon energization thereof to render a numerical indication corresponding to the numerical designations of said locations on the playing board, and means effective upon depression of the plunger to energize said indicating mechanism.

Claim 8

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 4 and wherein said electrically-operable mechanism embodies a pair of dice having number-representing indicia thereon, a movable dice-tumbling support for said dies, a motor for moving said support, an electric circuit including a pair of normally open contacts for said motor, and means effective upon depression of said plunger for closing said contacts to establish the motor circuit.

Claim 9

A game comprising a box-like structure embodying a bottom wall, opposed upstanding side and end walls, and an open upper rectangular rim having extending thereacross a shelf which establishes a partial top wall, a playing board supported on said rim, forming the remainder of said top wall and having designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said designated locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when a playing piece is positioned on the superjacent location to become closed, an indexable distributor mechanism disposed within said box-like structure and including a fixed distributor plate having a circular series of circumferentially-spaced contacts thereon, one for each switch, a shaft projecting through said plate at a point constituting the center of the circular series, a plurality of radially extending wiper arms mounted on said shaft and designed or circumferential sweeping movement in traversing relationship over said circular series of contacts in step-by-step fashion upon successive indexing of the distributor mechanism, a signal lamp mounted on said shelf, all of said contacts being electrically connected to said signal lamp, a source of current supply, a pair of electric leads connected to said source, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches and the other lead being connected to said wiper arms, a ratchet wheel on said shaft, a pawl for periodically advancing said ratchet wheel, and a spring-biased plunger projecting through said shelf and effective upon depression and release thereof to actuate said pawl.

Claim 10

A game comprising a box-like structure embodying a bottom wall, opposed upstanding side and end walls, and an open upper rectangular rim having extending thereacross a shelf which establishes a partial top wall, a playing board supported on said rim, forming the remainder of said top wall and having designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said designated locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when a playing piece is positioned on the superjacent location to become closed, an indexable distributor mechanism disposed within said box-like structure and including a fixed distributor plate having a circular series of circumferentially-spaced contacts thereon, one for each switch, a shaft projecting through said plate at a point constituting the center of the circular series, a plurality of radially extending wiper arms mounted on said shaft and designed or circumferential sweeping movement in traversing relationship over said circular series of contacts in step-by-step fashion upon successive indexing of the distributor mechanism, a signal lamp mounted on said shelf, all of said contacts being electrically connected to said signal lamp, a source of current supply, a pair of electric leads connected to said source, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches and the other lead being connected to said wiper arms, a ratchet wheel on said shaft, a pawl for periodically advancing said ratchet wheel, and a spring-biased plunger projecting through said shelf and effective upon depression and release thereof to actuate said pawl.

Claim 11

In a game apparatus, in combination, a box-like structure embodying a bottom wall, opposed upstanding side and end walls, and an open upper rectangular rim having extending thereacross a shelf which establishes a partial top wall, a playing board supported on said rim, forming the remainder of said top wall and having numerically designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said designated locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when a playing piece is positioned on the superjacent location to become closed, an indexable distributor mechanism disposed within said box-like structuRe and including a fixed distributor plate having a circular series of circumferentially-spaced contacts thereon, one for each switch, a shaft projecting through said plate at a point constituting the center of the circular series, a plurality of radially extending wiper arms mounted on said shaft and designed for circumferential sweeping movement in traversing relationship over said circular series of contacts in step-by-step fashion upon successive indexing of the distributor mechanism, a pair of signal lamps mounted on said shelf, certain of said contacts being electrically connected to one of said signal devices and the remainder of said contacts being electrically connected to the other signal lamp, a source of current supply, a pair of electric leads connected to said source, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches and the other lead being connected to said wiper arms, a ratchet wheel on said shaft, a pawl for periodically advancing said ratchet wheel, and a spring-biased plunger projecting through said shelf and effective upon depression and release thereof to actuate said pawl.

Claim 12

In a game apparatus, in combination, a box-like structure embodying a bottom wall, opposed upstanding side and end walls, and an open upper rectangular rim having extending thereacross a shelf which establishes a partial top wall, a playing board supported on said rim, forming the remainder of said top wall and having numerically designated locations thereon, a playing piece embodying a magnet and adapted for selective positioning on said designated locations, a normally open, magnetically-responsive, circuit-making and breaking switch disposed beneath each of said locations and effective when a playing piece is positioned on the superjacent location to become closed, an indexable distributor mechanism disposed within said box-like structuRe and including a fixed distributor plate having a circular series of circumferentially-spaced contacts thereon, one for each switch, a shaft projecting through said plate at a point constituting the center of the circular series, a plurality of radially extending wiper arms mounted on said shaft and designed for circumferential sweeping movement in traversing relationship over said circular series of contacts in step-by-step fashion upon successive indexing of the distributor mechanism, a pair of signal lamps mounted on said shelf, certain of said contacts being electrically connected to one of said signal devices and the remainder of said contacts being electrically connected to the other signal lamp, a source of current supply, a pair of electric leads connected to said source, one of said leads being connected to all of said switches and the other lead being connected to said wiper arms, a ratchet wheel on said shaft, a pawl for periodically advancing said ratchet wheel, and a spring-biased plunger projecting through said shelf and effective upon depression and release thereof to actuate said pawl.

Claim 13

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 8 and including, additionally, an electrically-operable indicating mechanism having numerical display means overlying said shelf and effective upon energization thereof to render a numerical indication corresponding to the numerical designations of said locations on said playing board, and means effective upon depression of said plunger for energizing said indicating mechanism.

Claim 14

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 9 and wherein said electrically-operable indicating mechanism embodies a pair of dice having number-representing indicia thereon, a movable dice-tumbling support for said dies overlying said shelf, an electric motor beneath said top wall, a driving connection extending between said motor and dice-tumbling support and projecting through said top wall, an electric circuit including a pair of normally open contacts for said motor, and means effective upon depression of said plunger for closing said contacts to establish the motor circuit.

Claim 15

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 10 and wherein said dice-tumbling support is in the form of a rotary circular dice-supporting wheel, said driving connection is in the form of a shaft which projects through an opening in the shelf, and an inverted transparent plastic dome encloses said dice and wheel and has its rim secured to said shelf.

Claim 16

A game apparatus as set forth in claim 8 and wherein said shelf is relatively narrow and projects transversely across said playing board medially thereof and divides the latter into two playing areas, one on each side of the shelf.