US2470325A - Pocketed ball game - Google Patents

Description

May 17, 1949. T, B sTlLLMAN. I 214701325 PocK-ETED BALL GAME Filed Jan. 16, 194e 4 sheets-sheet' 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 17, 1949- 1'. B. sTlLLMN 2,470,325

` PocKETEn BALL GAME IVENTOR ATTORNEY May 17, 1949. T. B. sTlLLMAN 2,470,325

POCKETED BALL GAME INVENTOR ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet T. B. sTlLLMAN POCKETED BALL GAME May- 17, 1949.

Filed Jan. 16, 1946 INVENTOR 77/50 am? 5r/aww BY l m ATTORNEY 34 ,fsa

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Patente-d May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POCKETED BALL GAME Theodore B. Stlhnan, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application January 16, 1946, Serial No. 641,526

2 Claims. l

This invention relates to amusement apparatus in general, and more particularly to an improved game apparatus characterized by a plurality of pockets to intercept a missile such as a ball or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide an improved game apparatus, including an indicator board having a plurality of counting signals, a platform having a plurality or pockets to intercept a missile, such as a ball, some of the pockets cooperating with said board to register gains and other pockets cooperating with said board to register losses.

t is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved game apparatus including an indicator board having a plurality of indicators to register the progress of the player, a platform having a plurality of pockets with electric switches to intercept a missile, such as a ball, to actuate the switch associated with the pocket which intercepted the ball, electric conductors connecting the poles of each switch with one or more oi said indicators either to excite an indicator or to disconnect or extinguish one or more indicato-rs according to the pocket which intercepted the ball thereby to register gains when eX- citing indicators, or to register losses when disconnecting or extinguishing indicators.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjoined detail description of one specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective of one of a plurality of apparatus made according to the present inven tion.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are parts of one and the same wiring diagram schematically showing the electrical connections of the apparatus, the dash and dot line I-I at the bottom of Fig. 3 coinciding with the dash and dot line 2 2 at the top of Fig. 4, and the dash and dot line 3-3 at the bottom of Fig. 4 coinciding with the dash and dot line 4-4 at the top of Fig. 5.

In the embodiment shown, see Fig. 1, there is illustrated one of the units I of a plurality of similar units according to convention having a trough 2 mounted on suitable supports 3. In the trough 2 there is provided a platform spaced at its front end 5 from the iront wall ti of the trough. Near the rear end of the platform il, there are provided a plurality of interceptors such as the pockets or openings l, in the present instance twentyve in number, arranged in ve rows of ve to a row, and so alined in accordance with the conventional Bingo board.

Immediately in front of the pockets .l there is provided an inclined guide 8 to enable a ball or missile rolled or projected on the platform 4 in front of the guide 3 and toward the pockets I to roll over the guide 8 and toward the pockets l. Adjacent to the ends of the guide 8, there are provided tlie two elongated openings 9 and I0 to receive the ball should it have missed entirely any one of the pockets l, the platform ll being inclined downwardly in a forward direction so that the ball will normally roll forward toward the openings 9 and I after its trajected momentum has been spent or after it has struck the rear end wall li and started on its return forward movement toward the guide 8. The guide 3 will intercept the ball at the end of its return movement and due to the inclined faces I2 and I3 of the guide 8 direct or guide the ball toward the openings 9 and I0. Below the platform ll, there is provided an inclined wall I4 having a mouth I5. The upper face of the floorboard I6 is also inclined downwardly toward the front end so that the ball,A after dropping through a pocket "I, 9 or Ill and onto the floorboard I6, will roll toward the inclined wall I4, and in turn then toward the mouth I5. The balls, such as the ball il, in diameter are just smaller than the mouth I5 to clear the same, but wide enough to actuate the arm I8 pivotally mounted at I9, controlling the double throw microswitch 2li. The microswitch 2li will be energized whenever the arm I8 is engaged by a ball Il after having been intercepted either by a pocket I, 9 or I0.

On the lower face of the platform 4 adjacent to each of the openings l, there is provided a microswitch 2l with its spring pressed projection 22 extending into the path of movement 0i a ball intercepted by a pocket l, so that the ball will engage the projection 22 thereby to actuate the microswitch 2|.

One of the games that can be played with apparatus made according to the vpresent invention would call for a single ball Il to each player. In such case, the player would continue to throw the ball Il until either he or a competing player completed the winning count. The winning count would call for illuminating each of the lamps 23, '24, 25, `26 and 2l which are mounted in the housing 28 in alinement with the translucent spots 29 in the panel 30. The spots 29 cooperating with the lamps 23 to 21, inclusive, thus constitute one display area.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, if the winning player should complete the 3 winning count within live throws of the ball l1, he would thereby not only illuminate the lamps 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 in alinement with the translucent spots 29, but also the rst five lamps 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35 in alinement with the rst ve translucent spots 35 in the panel 30 beginning from the left. The rst objective of the Winner, therefore, is to complete the winning count within the' five throws of the ball I1, at which time the lamp 31 in alinement with the translucent spot 38 in the panel 39 will not be illuminated, but the unit I of the winning player will remain illuminated while the illumination of all of the other units, such as those connected to the conductors 39 and 48, will be extinguished.

If, however, the Winning player required six or more throws, then the double throw microswitch 28, as hereinafter set forth, will cause not only the lamps 3i to 35, inclusive, to be illuminat'ed, but also the sixth lamp 31 in alinement with the translucent spot 3S. The translucent spots 36l and `38 and the lamps 3| to 35, inclusive, and 31 thus constitute another display area.

The lamps 23 to 21, inclusive, will be illuminated whenever the ball passes into pockets associated with such lamps. With the exception of the lamp 23, which is associated with pocket 4| alone, each of the remaining lamps 24 to 21, inclusive, is associated with more than one pocket, the lamp 24 being associated with the two pockets 42; the lamp 25 being associated with the four pockets 43; the lamp 26 with the six pockets v44; and the lamp 21 with the ten pockets 45. The two remaining pockets 44 are associated with the lamp 21 of the pockets 45. .According to the present game, when the microswitch 2| of either of the pockets 46, 45, is actuated by a ball being intercepted by either of these pockets, then the lamp 21 will be extinguished. Not only the lamp 21 will be extingruished when a ball is intercepted by either of the pockets 46, but in addition, any and al1 of the lamps 41 associated with the pockets 45 will be* extinguished. The lamps 41 are disposed behind translucent spots 48 in the panel 30 in alinement with lamps corresponding in position to the position of the pockets 45 in the platform 4. Each of the lamps -41 will correspond to one of the pockets 45 and be illuminated as its corresponding pocket 45 intercepts a ball. It is conceivable that al1 of the pockets 45Y may intercept the ball, and consequently all of the lamps 41 may iinally be illuminated.

In the panel 39, the middle row of lamps which includes two end lamps corresponding to the two end pockets 42 of the platform 4, and a lamp in alinement with the centrally disposed translucent spot 48 corresponding to the pocket 4| of the platform 4 has, in addition, two blank spots or opaque spots 49, 49 with no lamps behind them corresponding in position to the position of the pockets 46 on the platform 4. In other words, only twenty-three of the pockets in the platform 4 have corresponding lamps in the housing 28, the two pockets 45 not having corresponding lamps in the housing 28, `and ten of the lamps, to wit, the lamps 41 corresponding to the ten pockets 45, are only conditionally illuminated when a pocket 45 intercepts a ball, the condition being that before the e'nd of the game, the player does not cause the ball |1 to drop into a pocket 46. In such latter case, then all of the previously illuminated lamps 41, illuminated as a result of the pocket or pockets 45 having intercepted the ball I1, will be extinguished and remain extinguished until in the subsequent playing of the game if it endures beyond such play, the player of a particular unit again causes a ball to drop into a pocket 45. The translucent spots 48 and opaque spots `49 thus cooperate with the lamps 41 to constitute still another display area.

To take advantage of the wide spread knowledge of the terms used in the game of baseball and the great interest in the game of baseball by the American public, the different groups of pockets in the platform 4 are arbitrarily denominated by terms familiar to the baseball public. Furthermore, in view of the different values to certain of these baseball terms, either due to the diiculty or rarity of the achievement denominated by such term, or due to the hazard accompanying the achievement, there is only one pocket, to wit, the pocket 4|, which is designated the home run pocket; there are two pockets, to wit, the pockets 42 which are designated the triple hit pockets; four pockets, to wit, the pockets 43 which are designated the double or two base hit pockets; six pockets, to wit, the pockets 44 which are designated the single base hit pockets; and ten pockets, to wit, the pockets 45 which are designated the walk or base on balls pockets. The two pockets 46 are designated the strike out pockets.

Furthermore, the lamp 23 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 in the panel 30 over the initial H at the right hand end of the row of translucent spots 29 will be illuminated whenever the home run pocket 4| intercepts the ball 1. At the same time, the lamp 58 in the housing 28 in alinement with the translucent spot 48 between the two blank or opaque spots 49 will also be illuminated. In turn when a ball is intercepted by a pocket 42, not only will the lamp 24 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 above the letter T be illuminated, but also one of the lamps 5| in the housing 28 in alinement with the translucent spot 48 corresponding in position on the panel 30 to the position of the pocket 42 which intercepted the ball.

Furthermore, when a lball is intercepted Iby one of the four pockets 43, not only will the lamp 25 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 above the letter D be illuminated, but also the lamp 52 in alinement with the translucent spots 48 corresponding in position on the panel 38 to the position of the pocket `43 in the platform 4.

Furthermore, whenever a ball is intercepted by a pocket 44, not only will the lamp 26 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 above the letter 5" be illuminated, but also the lamp 53 in alinement with the translucent spot 48 correspondingI in position on the panel 38 to the position of the pocket 44 which intercepted the ball. Whenever any of the lamps 50, 5|, 52 or 53 is illuminated as a result of a corresponding pocket having intercepted the ball 1, such lamp will remain illuminated until the end of the game and not be temporary or in any way conditional upon a subsequent play. The only lamps which are conditional upon a subsequent play are the lamps 21 and 41 as already explained. Finally, however, Whenever a ball is intercepted by a pocket 45, not only will the lamp 21 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 above the letter W be illuminated, but one of the lamps 41 in alinement with the translucent spot 48, corresponding in position in the panel 30 to the position of the pocket 45 which intercepted the ball will be illuminated, with this exception, however, as already stated, that the illumination of the lamps 2l and 41 is conditional upon a subsequent play, that is, will be extinguished when the ball in a subsequent play is intercepted by either of the pockets 46, 46.

The first object of the play is, as aforesaid, to cause the ball I1 to be intercepted in iive successive throws of the missile by the pocket 4| and one of the pockets of each of the groups 42, 43, 44 and 45, as a result of which each of the lamps 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 in alinement with the spots 29 in the panel 39 will be illuminated. The second objective of the player is to have pockets intercept the ball so that these five lamps, to wit, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 will be illuminated before any of the other players of the game causes such lamps to be illuminated, even though the number of throws by the player may exceed ve. In case, however, that the player requires more than five throws, then not only the lamps 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35, in alinement with the first live translucent spots 36 in the panel 30, will be illuminated, but also the lamp 31 in alinement with the sixth translucent spot 36 in the panel 39, indicating to the other players that the player has not achieved his first objective but has achieved his second objective.

In addition to the aforesaid lamps, each unit I, and preferably on the top of the housing 28, is provided with a lamp 54. This lamp 54, and all of the lamps 54 of the units I which enter the play, will be illuminated at the beginning of the play and may for convenience be called the machine ready for play lamp. As will hereinafter be described, any of the units may conveniently be eliminated from the play before any particular game starts, in which case not only the lamp 54 will remain extinguished, but none of the other lamps in the housing 28 will function during the playing of this particular game.

For a particular game, as many as twenty-five units I may be connected to be played together. The wiring diagram contained in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 schematically showing the electric circuit used will now be described.

It is, of course, to be understood that Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are all parts of one and the same diagram, the wiring diagram being divided into these three parts for convenience of illustration only.

A manually actuated fused entrance switch 55 controls the entire circuit being connected to the two main leads 56 and 51. The two main leads 56 and 51 may have connected thereto two conductors 58 and 59, respectively, connected to general illumination equipment to be on at all times when the entrance switch 55 is closed. The conductor 56 in turn is also connected to one of the main conductors 66 of the first unit which will be described in detail, and the lead 51 connected to the other main conductor 6| of the first unit. The main leads 56 and 51 will also be connected to similar main conductors of all of the other units of the machines that are intended to be connected for play in one game, the lead 56 being connected to the main conductor 39 and the lead 51 being connected to the main conductor 49, the conductors 39 and 40 being typical of one or more additional units and connected to circuits that are mere duplicates of the circuit of the rst unit which will now be described in detail.

The first unit having the conductors 60 and 6| is provided with a switch symbolized as 62 at the entrance of the same to permit eliminating the first unit if desired. This switch is also provided with a circuit breaker 63 operatively associated with the switch 62 to open the switch 62 in case of a short circuit or the like due to an over-load.

When all players are in position adjacent to their game apparatus such as the unit I, the person in charge of the game, such as a master of ceremonies, will press the starting pushbutton 64 into closed position to establish the current to the several units whose switches.. 62 have been previously closed. By closing the pushbutton 64, which opens as soon as released, a circuit is established from the main lead 51, through conductor 66, starting switch 64, normally closed stop switch |25, conductor 69, relay 12, conductor E8 to main lead 56. When the relay 12 is thus energized one of its switches 65 is closed thereby providing a holding-in circuit after the switch 64 is released. With the closing of switch 64 followed by the closing of switch 65, a circuit is also established through the normally closed stop pushbutton switch |25, the normally closed relay operated switches 8|), 8| and 82, relay 1| and conductor 19 to the main lead 56. When the circuit is so established through the conductors 68 and 69 the two relays 1I and 12, respectively, will be energized, the holding-in switch 65 maintaining` the relays 1| and 12 energized after the pushbutton 64 is released. 'I'he relay 1I when so energized closes the contacts 13 and 14 in the main .leads 56 and 51 to the several machines. With the closing of these contacts, the "machine ready for play lamp 54 will be illuminated at each machine in which the switch 62 has been closed as a signal for the players of such machines or game apparatus to start the game. The relay 12 will also close the contacts 15 and 16 in an auxiliary power line to the machines which is kept open at each machine by contacts 11 and 18 of a relay 19 duplicated in each machine. In series with the main power line relay 1| there are the normally closed contacts 88, 8| and 82. In the present instance, only three contacts 89, 8| and 82 are illustrated to indicate that three machines are hooked up in the present circuit. However, when more machines are hooked up there will be a closed contact such as the contact for each machine, the closed contact 89 in the present instance symbolizing the closed contact for the first unit. The closed contact 88 is provided for the relay 63.

When the switch 62 is closed and momentary contact made by the pushbutton 64 as aforesaid, the circuit to the lamp 54 will be established from the lead 56 to the conductor 69, the conductors 84 and 85 and from the lamp 54 by way of the conductors 86 and 81 to the conductor 6| and return lead 51.

As aforesaid, there is only one home run pocket, the pocket 4|. When the ball I1 is intercepted by this pocket 4| it will momentarily close the microswitch 2| associated with the pocket 4|, energizingI its relay 4|8, in turn closing three contacts, the holding-in contact 88 across the microswitch 2|, the contact 89 closing the circuits to the lamps 59 and 23 in alinement with translucent spots 48 and 29, respectively, in the panel .39, and also the Contact 290, see Fig. 5, to the relay 19.

When the ball I1 is intercepted by one of the two triple pockets 42, 42, it will momentarily close the microswitch 2| associated with the pocket 42, energizing the relay 426, associated with suoliV pocket'. 42; therebyf closing .four-fv con: tacks', eithenthecontact or thecontact '9;|:c0 n,. stituting a-holdin-g-in contact. across the microswitcli-2fwhichhas been tripped, a second contact 9-2 orllighting ufptthe-lampjl: correspond. ing in position to the pocket 42 which has-inter,.-l ceptedfy theA ball', a. third contact` 941 or. 9.51.V in a parallel circuit to the lamp 2:41toflightupzthe-same, and-a fourthfcontact Safor. 9.1, see Fig; 5', to the relayf1=9;

When the ball.I l14 isV intercepted `by one of the four dou-ble pocketsi43r, the microswitch 2|. en,-

gagediWi-ll energize the associated relay;43,0.,Which` willl closefour contacts, aholding-in contact 98,

99, I100Lor llllil" constitutingI a holding-in contact acrossfthemicroswitch.. engaged, a second contact |021, |2031,` |04 or |:05. to lig-ht up the lampo 52: in,

the housing 28*y corresponding in position to thepocket' 43Whioh-has intercepted the ball, a third Contact |06, |012; IBB-or- |09 tothe lamp 2 5, andaL fourth Contact lili), H-l, |.I2 or H3 corresponding tothef pocket 43=to the relay 1.9,.

Tir-turn; if theballis interceptedby one ofthe sixesingleI pockets- 44, see Eig-i 4, the microswitch 2|'4 of the pocket engaged will energize its asso-` ciated-relafy 440% in turn to close-one of the contacts I l-'4i'con-stitutingaholding-in contact for-the microswitch' engaged, a second contactA 5 tolight theW lam-p 53 corresponding in position to. the

pocket 4f4fwhichfhasintercepted-the ball, a thirdv contact |-|6'4v for the-lamp 26, and a fourth contac-t ||1 for the relay 19.

When the ball |1f interceptsy one. ofi the ten wallrpockets v45, the microswitch 2| engagedwill energize the associated relay 450in this case tol ciose three contacts, to Wit, the holding-in con.V tactY l'llfo-r the microswitch 2| eng-aged, a second4 contact M 0 to illuminatev the lamp 41 correspond-` ingin position to the pocket 45 which has-intercepted'vtheball, and a third contact |20! to light, lamp 2'1 and close part of' the circuit to the relay In the case o f;l the circuits for the Walk relays 4.!'i|1it` Wi'llbe noted that the conductor 6| is con-y nectedby the conductor I2! having two normally closedcontacts |22- and |23 to t-he common conductor |24 Which-throughthe microswitch- 21| orholding-in contact; H8l is,y connected by a con-- ductor Hi8l to the relay 450 which in turn is connectedto theconductor 60'. Thenormally closed Qontacts |22, |23', if momentarily opened, as now` to be explained', Will openthe circuit or circuits tothe relays,450, in turn to open any previously closedcontact. H3, H9; and |20.

Themeans wherebyY the normallyy closed contact's |22-`or |23`r may be opened will now loe-de-Y scribed: These contacts willl be momentarily openedwvhenl the ball; l1 is intercepted byA eitherl ofthe strike outy pockets 46, 46. When the-ball I1 is intercepted by either of the strike out pocketsv 46,,s ee- Fig. 5, the` microswitch 2|' engaged will momentarily, energize therelay 460 corresponding to, the pocket' 46 which has intercepted the ball. Atthi's time nolamps correspondingjto the-pockets 4|willbe illuminated., On the contrary, the relay-- 4,6;0 corresponding, to. the pocket which, has receiyedftheballwill open either the contact |22-or i231. There is no holdingfincontact. for the microswitch 2;|". of' either ofthe relays 460 and conse,- quently as soon as the ballpasses the microswitch 2|,.the circuitto the relay. 460A will be interrupted' in turnagain to allow the contact |22 or |23 to befcloseol.'Y This.momentaryvv openingof either the limitata;` |22 or |.23 however,A as aforesaid Will interrupt the circuit' or circuits to the relays 450:-

8?. ofthegwalk peeketsaandftherebyfopen anyfands: allot theacontactsf. i IB; 1.119 .and 1.20, previnuslyf closed;A The reelosng.howeyer, `ofithe strike.: outJ contacts; |2f2fV or; 1.2.3 when their function. is `corne pieten will .enable the; rc1-energizing, of.A thee Walle,

relays,4ilrwheneyer-theball; I;1 thereafterisinterr. ceptod by a Walk pocket 45.

Asiaforesaid; when; one;V or; more .ofeach.y group offrelaysA Hi, 42,0; 430;,- 440. and;450 are energized, the parallel. seriesA circuit energizes the. relayfl: inzturntoclose its contacts,A 'llwoforthecontactsi closedbyz the relay lafare'the contacts 11; and` l inthe auxiliary supply line tothe :machine-.andt-y thethitd contact, closed: bythe relaylawill vbe theH contactant; tothe relay 8.3, which relay 83.'.Wheni. energized. wiliopen; switch; 8.0;f to .de-energize the relay. 1|, thereby interrupting the main` power-1 suppiy line through switches13 and 14 tQ. all ofithe. machines, extinguishing the.` lamps` and de energizing; allnof.; the relaysi in all; of the machines except: the Winning machine which, obtains its. power `from the auxiliary supplyflines .|8anda |2901;` through, .which acircuit was established; by lclosing the contacts. 11.. and. 181; byr the relayv 1.19 v'byf way oi the main lead 515, conductor-65; contact` 1.6;` cone ductor |330; and contactli't toieonductor:Standby@4 way ofl themain lead 56., oonductorl, contact 15J, conductor |183; and contact 1.8 to..conductor- 602 To de-energize the Winning machinethe-personr. con-ducting the garnewillrnow: push or: actuate the normally closed pushbutton; |25 onthe maincon-r trolipanel'. Thereuponv subsequent closingfo the start pushbutton 641fwi'll' start a newv game.

The control means vforfillumina-ting the lamps.- .'iflftoa,A inclusive, and13f1; will nowi. be described; Byf reference to Figs. 2. andz5 it. willl appear that' whenever-'the ball; Ilfiis returnedlto theplayerI itI Wililfactuate thesWitch arm: Ht` totripthe'doub-le throw; microswitch 20: Reference will. now. bei. hadzniore particularlytozliig'. 5.1 Before the first ballisreturned, that is, before itiengagesthearm i0 to trip the microswiteh: 20, the army |31 Willibeiin. engagement with the contact |26. However, the circuitlthrough. relay.4 |21 is:.not completed:4 until; therst balilpasses: switch. 20for the rst count toilluminate lam'p-I. Whenthe first ball passes: switch 20, arm I8 is swung tocontact |40 creatingaicircuit from conductor- 6| through the normally closed: relay.Y operated'switch |10, arm |83 contactk |43; through relay I4l|s toconductorvii'.4 Relayl i4| has sixnormally open contacts |42?, |43, |441, E45, llland |415; Contact |42-causesrelay |34r-to be-energized as well'- asla1np3|, saidrelay'havingthree contacts, |48ito hold in its circuit, andfcon-L tacts |501 and |12 which will now remain closed; the-contact |.1-2Lcompletingf afcircuit for-relayl |21lvv when arm iii/'returns to its biased-positiony againstV Contact |26. Relay |21 has sixl normally.' openf contacts t28, |29; |30,I |31', |32Yand |33. Withtheenergization of the relay |34 and theclosing of4 contact |2, relay- |`49 becomes^energized1 anditsf holdingcontact |56 will retain it in circuit and itssecond` contact |51 Will continue closed'.

Withthe rolling of thel next ball', thex switch' arm` li'- will'A again energize relay IMH` closingl its' contacts of which contact |43' will completen a' circuitftorelay |35to close' contactA |201 and-the second count lamp- 32. Relay' |35'. actuates its holding-dn contact |58 and also contact |'5P so when' arm |84 returns tore-energize relay |21, af circuit'vviill be completed'` to relay |63 closing its holding-in contact and contact |60, inthecircuit of number three count relay |36 and lamp-33to closeconta-ct |30; preparing this-circuitV for the nextl orl third ball toberolled-I In like manner, as successively rolled balls actuate switch arm I8 to energize rst relay |l|| and then relay |21, the remaining count relays |31, |33 and |39 and their respective lamps 34, 35 and 31 will be brought into the closed circuit after the closing of contacts |3|, |32 and |33, respectively. In other Words, movement of arm |8 to energize relay 14| successively lights the lamps and the return of arm I8 re-energizing relay |21 prepares the circuit for the next lamp. When the last count relay |39 is energized, its second Contact |55 closes the circuit of relay |1| which is maintained closed by its holding contact 261, while its other contact |10 is broken to make inoperative switch I8 as further balls are rolled. Breaking of the main supply circuit by either the completion of the game by a winning board or by the operator through stop switch |25 de-energizes all relays in readiness for a new start.

The conductors 39 and 40 exemplifying parts -f of other units diagrammatically include the relay 192 similar to the relay 19 of unit shown in Fig. 5, and also include a relay 832 similar in position to the relay 83 of unit illustrated in Fig. 5.

In the several views where the relays are not shown adjacent to the contacts which they operate, the relays are diagrammatically shown in full lines as part of the wiring diagram, and repeated in dotted lines adjacent to the contacts i.

which they operate. As an instance, in the upper left corner of Fig. 3, the relay 12 is shown in full lines as part of the wiring diagram and again illustrated in dotted lines adjacent to the contacts 65, 15 and 16.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A game comprising a target including a plurality of missile interceptors, each adapted to retain only momentarily a missile intercepted thereby, and a plurality of electrically operated signalling devices, each connected in an energizing circuit including a normally open switch and adapted to be completed by closing said switch, all but one of said energizing circuits including an additional normally open switch connected in a parallel branch circuit so that the energizing circuit can be completed by closing either switch, each of a number of said interceptors equal to the total number of normally open switches being provided with a normally open switch adapted to be closed momentarily by a missile intercepted by the interceptor, each switch being connected in a circuit containing a relay means for closing a corresponding one of the switches in the energizing circuits and for completing a hold-in circuit which maintains energization of the relay means when the interceptor switch opens, each of the remaining interceptors being provided with a normally closed switch adapted to be opened momentarily by an intercepted missile, the last mentioned switches being connected in a series circuit forming a part of each of the interceptor circuits associated with one of the energizing circuits which includes a, plurality of switches.

2. A game comprising a target including a plurality of missile interceptors, each adapted to retain only momentarily a missile intercepted thereby, and a plurality of electrically operated signalling devices, each connected in an energizing circuit including a normally open switch and adapted to be completed by closing said switch, one of said energizing circuits including an additional normally open switch connected in a parallel branch circuit so that the energizing circuit can be completed by closing either switch, each of a number of said interceptors equal to the total number of normally open switches being provided with a normally open switch adapted to be closed momentarily by a missile intercepted by the interceptor, each switch being connected in a circuit containing a relay means for closing a corresponding one of the switches in the energizing circuits and for completing a hold-in circuit which maintains energization of the relay means when the interceptor switch opens, each of the remaining interceptors being provided with a normally closed switch adapted to be opened momentarily by an intercepted missile, the last mentioned switches being connected in a s-eries circuit forming a part of each of the interceptor circuits associated with the energizing circuit which includes a plurality of switches.

THEODORE B. STIILMZAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number `Name Date 1,906,260 Gibbs May 2, 1933 1,980,125 Whitney Nov. 6, 1934 2,008,479 Warner July 16, 1935 2,119,340 Mills May 31, 1938 2,266,932 Williams Dec. 23, 1941

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