US4496160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coin projecting and target game apparatus
Assignee: International Game Technology
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Filing: 1982-12-14
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Granted: 1985-01-29
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Expires: 2002-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A game apparatus has a cabinet defining a playing area, a plurality of coin slots, and a rotable, ribbed, drum beneath the slots for projecting an accepted can within the playing area. In a lower portion of the playing area are two shelves onto which projected coins may fall, the shelves being traversed by pusher bars which push collected coins towards the edge of the respective shelf. In an upper portion of the playing area are a plurality of baskets containing sensors actuated by a coin passing through a basket to secure a predetermined award. Suitably one of the baskets is movable.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Wichinsky
- 👤 LeRoy N. Gutknecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:55
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/3286; G07F17/3297; A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/02; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/2436; A63F2009/2442; A63F2250/00; A63F2250/13; A63F2250/136; A63F7/00; A63F7/22; A63F7/24; A63F7/2409; A63F7/249
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A game apparatus comprising a cabinet defining a playing area, means for receiving and accepting or rejecting a playing piece such as a coin or token, means for projecting an accepted playing piece within the playing area, a plurality of shrouded sensors disposed within an upper portion of the playing area and which may be actuated by a projected playing piece and operative to cause the apparatus to register a predetermined award, and at least one shelf disposed in a lower portion of the playing area and onto which projected playing pieces may fall after projection, said shelf being traversed by pusher means which push playing pieces collected thereon towards an edge of the shelf.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A game apparatus comprising a cabinet defining a playing area, means for receiving and accepting or rejecting a playing piece such as a coin or token, means for projecting an accepted playing piece within the playing area, a plurality of shrouded sensors disposed within an upper portion of the playing area and which may be actuated by a projected playing piece and operative to cause the apparatus to register a predetermined award, and at least one shelf disposed in a lower portion of the playing area and onto which projected playing pieces may fall after projection, said shelf being traversed by pusher means which push playing pieces collected thereon towards an edge of the shelf.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is movable with respect to the cabinet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A game apparatus according to claim 2 including a plurality of fixed sensors disposed within the playing area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A game apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the shrouding of each sensor is in the form of a surrounding basket through which the playing pieces must pass in order to actuate the sensor by contact therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A game apparatus according to claim 2 including at least one shelf onto which projected playing pieces may fall, said shelf or shelves being traversed by pusher means which push playing pieces collected thereon towards an edge of the shelf or shelves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A game apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the means for projecting an accepted playing piece comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of protruding bars therein onto which the playing piece drops by gravity to be projected into the playing area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for projecting an accepted playing piece comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of protruding bars therein onto which the playing piece drops by gravity to be projected into the playing area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
A game apparatus comprising a cabinet defining a playing area, means for receiving a playing piece such as a coin or token, means for projecting an accepted playing piece within the playing area, a plurality of shrouded sensors in an upper portion of the playing area, at least one shelf onto which playing pieces may fall after projection, in a lower portion of the playing area, pusher means for traversing the at least one shelf surface so as to push collected playing pieces towards and edge of the shelf, and means for moving at least one of said shrouded sensors within the playing area, the sensors being actuated by contact with a playing piece and being operative to cause the apparatus to register a predetermined award.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A game apparatus comprising a cabinet defining a playing area, means for receiving a playing piece such as a coin or token, means for projecting an accepted playing piece within the playing area, a plurality of shrouded sensors in an upper portion of the playing area, at least one shelf onto which playing pieces may fall after projection, in a lower portion of the playing area, pusher means for traversing the at least one shelf surface so as to push collected playing pieces towards and edge of the shelf, and means for moving at least one of said shrouded sensors within the playing area, the sensors being actuated by contact with a playing piece and being operative to cause the apparatus to register a predetermined award.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
A game apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the said at least one shrouded sensor is movable to and fro across the playing area by means of a reversible drive motor, the said at least one shrouded sensor maintaining electrical contact with the apparatus by means of a wiping contact with an elongate contact fixed to the cabinet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A game apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the at least one shrouded sensor is disposed below a hood having a free edge projecting downwardly and forwardly of a leading edge of the said sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for receiving a playing piece includes a plurality of playing piece receiving slots.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A game apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the means for receiving a playing piece includes a plurality of playing piece receiving slots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-29 | 1988-07-30 | 1989-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-29 | 1992-07-30 | 1993-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-29 | 1996-07-30 | 1997-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |