A capture game with hinged arms or bracket devices and the method for supportinga price object thereon

Abstract

 A support apparatus (116) for an object capture game (100), the apparatus (116) comprising support means (208,210,212,214) arranged to locate an interface device (222) in a predictable location for facilitating coupling of the interface device (222) to a compatible coupling means (104).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a support apparatus of the type used, for example, in a large-scale object-capture game, such a game apparatus employing a movable electromagnet to capture a soft toy prize. The present invention also relates to a method of supporting an object prior to capture thereof.

[0002] In the field of amusement arcade and fairground games, it is known to provide a so-called large-scale crane game. The large-scale crane game comprises a cabinet approximately 2m x 3m x 2m (width x height x depth) within which a crane assembly is provided. The crane assembly includes a motorised grabber consisting of a grabber and a motorised unit that carries and controls operation of the grabber. The motorised grabber moves along a gantry in response to a control unit, such as a joystick and a button, manipulated by a player of the game. The gantry is disposed at the top of the cabinet and the player controls the left-right and back-forward position of the grabber in a horizontal plane by moving the joystick. Below the gantry, at the bottom of the cabinet, a plurality of large soft toys is disposed for the player to try to capture using the grabber. Once the player has positioned the grabber at a desired position using the joystick, pressing the button deploys the grabber. Deployment of the grabber results in the grabber being opened and lowered on a cord by the motorised unit down towards the soft toys below, where the grabber closes in a grabbing movement and attempts to capture one of the soft toys. The grabber is then raised by the motorised unit, along with any toy captured by the grabber, in the event that the player has been sufficiently adept at controlling the motorised grabber. The motorised unit then returns the grabber to a location above a captured prize toy bin and the grabber is opened to drop any captured toy into the bin. The player can then access any toy dropped into the prize bin through an access hole provided at the front of the cabinet.
On a much smaller scale, an electromagnet prize capture game comprises a much smaller cabinet having an electromagnet assembly. The assembly is much smaller than the crane assembly described above and, in place of the grabber, an electromagnet is coupled to the motorised unit. Within the cabinet a plurality of small prizes, for example, watches are disposed. Each prize is contained within a plastic case having a shallow circumferential wall integrally formed with the top of the plastic case to form a shallow well. A circular galvanised steel plate is adhered to a base of the shallow well. Instead of grabbing toys as described above, the player attempts to align the electromagnet above the shallow well of the plastic case before deploying the electromagnet. In response to pressing the button, the electromagnet is energised and lowered in order to attempt to contact the circular steel plate and hence capture the plastic case containing the prize. If the player is successful in aligning the electromagnet with the shallow well of the plastic case, the plastic container is transported, in a like manner to the grabber game described above, to a point above the prize bin, whereupon the plastic container is dropped into the prize bin by de-energising the electromagnet. The player is then charged with opening the plastic case to access the toy, and the plastic case is then discarded.

[0003] The plastic cases described above are provided in order to ensure that the circular metallic plates are disposed in a consistent, upwardly facing, fixed position so that the metallic plates can be engaged by the electromagnet. Without such a mechanism to present the metallic plate in this way, it would be neigh-on impossible to ensure coupling between the electromagnet and the metallic plate when the electromagnet is deployed. However, if it were intended to scale-up the electromagnet prize capture game to a similar scale as the large-scale crane game described above in order to offer larger-dimensioned prizes, such as large soft toys, it would be impractical to encase each prize in a plastic case. The provision of large plastic cases would present a substantial disposal problem to the providers of the game. Additionally, the plastic case would be expensive and not necessarily environmentally friendly.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support apparatus for an object capture game, the apparatus comprising: support means arranged to locate an interface device in a predictable location for facilitating coupling of the interface device to a compatible coupling means.

[0005] Preferably, the support means is arranged to maintain, when in use, the interface device in a set location or on a predetermined predictable path. More preferably, the support means is a post. Very preferably, an end of the post is formed to co-operatively seat the interface device thereon.

[0006] Preferably, the support means comprises barrier means for interposition between a connector means and an object coupled to the connector means, the barrier means being moveable from a deployed to a non-deployed position for permitting passage of the object therepast.

[0007] Preferably, the barrier means is arranged to retain, when in use, the connector means in place. More preferably, the barrier means is arranged to present, when in use, the connector means in a predetermined direction.

[0008] The barrier means may be hinged.

[0009] The barrier means may comprise a plurality of arms. The barrier means may be at least one door.

[0010] Preferably, the barrier means is displaceable.

[0011] Preferably, the barrier means is arranged, when in use, to yield to force applied against the barrier means from a first side thereof. More preferably, the barrier means is arranged, when in use, to impede force applied against the barrier means from a second side.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support system as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the interface device is arranged to suspend an object therefrom.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an object capture game apparatus comprising: a matrix of a plurality of the support apparatuses as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an engagement apparatus comprising a receptacle arranged to retain a connector means, and a coupling means for coupling to an object.

[0015] Preferably, the coupling means is a suspension means for suspending the object therefrom.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of supporting an object prior to capture thereof, the method comprising the step of: suspending the object from a connector means; presenting the connector means in a predetermined, fixed, direction for access thereto by a complementary connector means.

[0017] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support apparatus for an object capture game, the apparatus comprising means for suspending an object therefrom and permitting passage of the object therepast from a predetermined direction.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support apparatus for an object capture game comprising barrier means for interposition between a connector means and an object coupled to the connector means, the barrier means being movable from a deployed to a non-deployed position for permitting passage of the object therepast.

[0019] It is thus possible to provide an apparatus and method that permits the use of electromagnets in place of grabbers in large-scale object capture games. The use of large plastic cases is avoided, whilst enabling a connector to be accessible to the electromagnet. Consequently, an interesting and differently challenging game is possible.

[0020] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of an electromagnet object-capture game constituting an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame unit of Figure 1 in more detail;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an arm of the frame unit of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective schematic diagram of a matrix of frame units;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the matrix of frame units of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of an alternative matrix embodiment based on multiple spaced posts.

[0021] Throughout the following description, identical reference numerals are used to identify like parts.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an object-capture game comprises a cabinet 100 having a ceiling (not shown) and a floor 101. An overhead gantry (not shown) is fixed close to and adjacent the ceiling of the cabinet 100. A motorised unit 102 is coupled to the gantry and an electromagnetic unit 104 is operably coupled to the motorised unit 102. The cabinet 100 has, in this example, glass-panelled side and front windows 106 and an opaque rear wall 108. A control unit (not shown) controls translation of the motorised unit 102, and energising/de-energising and vertical position of the electromagnet in accordance with known on-board software. Additionally, a joystick (not shown) and a button (not shown) are provided to allow a user to control translation of the motorised unit 102 and deployment of the electromagnet 104 at predetermined times in accordance with a coin-operated regime. For the sake of simplicity and clarity of description, the apparatus necessary for coin-operated operation is not described herein, but is usually provided.

[0023] An object-collection bin 110 is disposed at a front-most corner 112 of the cabinet 100. An access hole 114 is provided at the front of the cabinet 100 to provide access from the front of the cabinet 100 into the bin 110. A plurality of support structures 116 is disposed on the floor 101 of the cabinet 100 and, although for the purposes of simplicity are not shown in Figure 1, is arranged as a matrix 400 (Figure 4).

[0024] Referring to Figures 2, 4 and 5, each support structure 116 comprises an aluminium rectangular frame 200 formed from four upright members 202 that are supported by four lower cross-members 204 and four upper cross-members 206. A first arm 208, a second arm 210, a third arm 212 (not shown in Figure 2) and a fourth arm 214 (also not shown in Figure 2) are respectively disposed at an upper end 216 of each corner upright member 202. Each of the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 extends radially inward towards a central space 216 and lies substantially horizontally. A locating notch 218 is provided towards a distal end 220 of each of the first, second, third and the fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214.

[0025] An interface device, for example a receptacle, such as a cup 222, comprises a base 224 and a circumferential wall 226 to define an open cavity 228. A bottom circumferential rim 230 extends downwardly from the base 224 and sits in each of the locating notches 218. Additionally, or alternatively, an outer surface of the base 224 can also comprise complementary radial channels to receive the distal end 220 of each of the first, second, third and the fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214. A galvanised steel plate 232 is adhered to the base 224 of the cup 222, and an eye 234 depends from the base 224 for coupling to a hook 236 connected to an object 238, for example a prize, such as a large soft toy.

[0026] Referring to Figure 3, the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 are each pivotally mounted to their respective upright member 202. For each of the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214, a pivot 300 is disposed towards an uppermost region 302 of a proximal end of the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 has a substantially flat end face 306 that is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal upper surface 308.

[0027] In operation, a player (not shown), using the joystick, controls an overhead position of the electromagnetic 104. Once the player has finished locating the electromagnet 104 overhead, the player deploys the electromagnet 104 by pressing the button. In response to the player pressing the button, the electromagnet 104 is energised and the motorised unit 102 lowers the electromagnet 104 under the control of the control unit. In the event that the electromagnet 104 has been accurately positioned overhead the cup 222, the energised electromagnet 104 is in alignment with the cup 222, resulting a lowermost region of the electromagnet 104 entering the cup 222 and attaching to the steel plate 232. After a predetermined period of time, the motorised unit 102 begins to raise the electromagnet 104. Consequently, the cup 222, adhered to the steel plate 232, and the object 238 coupled to the cup 222 also begin to move upwards towards the motorised unit 102.

[0028] Upon coming into contact with the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214, the object 238 urges the pivotally mounted first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 to pivot about their respective pivot points so as to yield (Figure 3) to the object 238 and allow the object 238 to pass past the barrier presented by the first, second, third, and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214.

[0029] Once the object 238 has cleared the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214, the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 fall back to the substantially horizontal position described above, the horizontal position of the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 being maintained by the abutment of the end face 306 of each of the first, second, third and fourth arms 208, 210, 212, 214 and the upright members 202.

[0030] After the electromagnet 104 carrying the cup 222 and the object 238 has been reeled back to the motorised unit 102, the control unit causes the motorised unit 102 to move to a position overhead the bin 110, whereupon the electromagnet 104 is de-energised and the cup 222 and object 238 released into the bin 110 under the influence of gravity. The player can then retrieve the object via the hole 114.

[0031] Whist the above example has been described in the context of hinged arms, it should be understood that any suitable barrier can be arranged between a connection means, such as the cup 222, and the object 238. The barrier can be arranged to yield to force applied from a first side of the barrier and impede force applied from a second, for example opposite, side of the barrier, for example though the use of a hinging arrangement.

[0032] It should be appreciated that reference herein to suspension of an object from the interface device or cup 222 includes any suitable way that does not involve encasing the object 238 within a rigid structure, but permits the object 238 to follow the cup 222 upon movement of the cup 222 through coupling of the cup 222 with the electromagnet 104.

[0033] Examples of suitable suspension means include, but are not necessarily limited to, a hammock-like mesh (not shown) coupled to the interface device 228 or the coupling of the object 238 to the hook 236 by a cord having a loop 234. The cord can be connected to the object by a process of tying or, nylon or polypropylene so-called hook or ring pins of the form used to attach tags to clothing, but of suitable strength to support the weight of the object 238.

[0034] In another embodiment shown in Figure 6, the matrix 400 of support structures 200 is an array of suitably spaced posts 600. An end 602 of each post 600 is profiled in such a way as to form a co-operative seat 604 upon which the receptacle or cup 222 can sit. Consequently, the receptacle or cup 222 is appropriately profiled to co-operate with the post 600. In this example, the cup 222 comprises a tab 606 integrally formed with the cup 222 and having an aperture 608 for suspending the object 238 from the cup 222 by coupling the object 238 to the cup 222 by a ring pin via the aperture 608. However, as already explained above, other techniques can be employed to ensure that the prize 238 follows the cup 222 upon successful capture thereof.

Claims

1. A support apparatus for an object capture game, the apparatus comprising support means arranged to locate an interface device in a predictable location for facilitating coupling of the interface device to a compatible coupling means.

2. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the support means is arranged to maintain, when in use, the interface device in a set location or on a predetermined predictable path.

3. Support apparatus as claimed in either preceding Claim, wherein the support means is a post.

4. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, in which an end of the post is formed to co-operatively seat the interface device thereon.

5. Support apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the support means comprises barrier means for interposition between a connector means and an object coupled to the connector means, the barrier means being moveable from a deployed to a non-deployed position for permitting passage of the object therepast.

6. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, in which the barrier means is arranged to retain, when in use, the connector means in place.

7. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, in which the barrier means is arranged to present, when in use, the connector means in a predetermined direction.

8. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the barrier means is hinged.

9. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 8, in which the barrier means comprises a plurality of arms.

10. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 9, in which the barrier means is at least one door.

11. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, in which the barrier means is displaceable.

12. Support apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 11, in which the barrier means is arranged, when in use, to yield to force applied against the barrier means from a first side thereof and/or from a second side.

13. A support apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the interface device is arranged to suspend an object therefrom.

14. An object capture game apparatus comprising a matrix of a plurality of support apparatuses as claimed in any preceding Claim.

15. An engagement apparatus comprising a receptacle arranged to retain a connector means and a coupling means for coupling to an object.

16. Engagement apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the coupling means is a suspension means for suspending the object therefrom.

17. A method of supporting an object prior to capture therof, the method comprising the step of: suspending the object from a connector means; presenting the connector means in a predetermined, fixed, direction for access thereto by a complementary connector means.

18. A support apparatus for an object capture game, the apparatus comprising means for suspending an object therefrom and permitting passage of the object therepast from a predetermined direction.

19. A support apparatus for an object capture game comprising barrier means for interposition between a connector means and an object coupled to the connector means, the barrier means being movable from a deployed to a non-deployed position for permitting passage of the object therepast.

Drawing