A game device with a rotating platform, magnetic prize holders and a swinging arm

Abstract

 A game device(1) of the Balco rotor type is provided with a rotating platform(2) with holders(5) with prizes and a swinging arm(9), magnets(8) housed in the bottom part(7) of the holders(5), in order to attract the holders(5) on the rotating platform(2) with a magnetic force.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention concerns an adapted game apparatus of the Balco rotor type.. This kind of game devices comprise a rotating platform with a number of prizes that have to be pushed off the platform by a moving arm. The invention specifically is targeted to adapt the chance to push a prize object off the platform with a correspondent prize value. A higher prize value will decrease the chance to push off a prize object, which consequently stimulates the challenge for the player.

Background of the invention

[0002] Game devices of the Balco rotor type are well known in the state-of-the-art, like described in JP56062188U. In such game devices with several prizes, mostly provided in holders on a rotating platform for pushing off with a swinging arm, no difference between the value of the prize and the chance to win is made. The swinging arm touches one or more holders on the rotating platform and due to collisions, a holder with a prize can be pushed in an outlet, that provides access for the player to receive the prize. The player cannot make a difference between valuable and less valuable prizes.

Summary of the invention

[0003] This invention comprises a game device of the Balco rotor type, generally with a metal rotating platform, whereupon prizes are provided. These prizes can be provided in holders or containers. Furthermore, the game device is provided with a swinging arm that enables to push against the prizes or the holders. The prizes or holders will hereby be displaced or pushed against each other, whereby the prizes or holders can be dropped in an outlet for the player. The invention is specifically characterized according to claim 1 that some or all of the holders or prizes are provided with one or more magnets, resulting in that the holder or prize is attached to the rotating platform by magnetic forces. The magnets are provided in such a way that the player is not aware of their presence. At least one of the prizes or holders is provided with a magnet or magnets. So, the holders with the prizes are provided with a cavity, comprising none, one or more magnets. Preferable, the cavity is provided in the bottom of the holder:

[0004] According to another feature of the invention, the platform is on its underside provided with magnets on different spots, which can be activated individually or simultaneously and whereby the strength can be regulated individually.

[0005] Another feature concerns that the magnets which are provided on the underside of the rotating platform can be displaced. Preferable, these magnets are provided in grooves wherein said magnets can glide.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0006] The invention will be explained more in detail by the drawings.

Figure 1: side view game device

Figure 2a: side view holder with bottom

Figure 2b: side view holder with detachable bottom

Figure 3a: side view platform with magnets

Figure 3b: top view platform with magnets in grooves

[0007] According to figure 1, a game device of the Balco rotor type(1) comprises a platform(2), provided with an axle(3) to rotate said platform(2) by a motor(4). Platform(2) is mostly made of metal. Holders(5) with prizes are provided on the platform(2). These holders(5) are generally made of plastic. A player activates the game device(1) by pushing a knob, which is not illustrated on the figure. The platform(2) is put in a rotating motion.
Prizes are generally provided in a holder(5). These prizes, like toys, electronics, candy, etc... are physically present or are replaced by a value ticket.
The value ticket can be exchanged with a prize of an equivalent value like indicated on the ticket.
Device(1) is further provided with an arm(9), that after activation of the game device(1) is put in a swinging motion by a motor(10). The arm(9) is positioned on the level of the holders(5) on the platform(2). The holders(5) can be displaced over the platform(2) by the swinging arm(9). Several holders(5) are pushed against each other, resulting in a displacement. Due to pushing the holders(5), one can be dropped in an outlet, which is not illustrated on the figure. This means that the player has won a prize. In the state-of-the-art Balco rotor type game devices, the holders are displaced freely over the platform surface. The skills of the game are depending of the chance that a holder with a valuable prize can be pushed of the platform.

[0008] According to this invention and in figures 2a and 2b, a holder(5) comprises a an upper part(6) and a lower cavity(7).. The upper part(6) has a tubular or funnel shape and is detachable fitted to the bottom part(7). Both parts(6,7) are connect with known means. Several connecting means without limitation are provided, like screw-thread, a bayonet connection, snap-fit,...etc.
The cavity in the bottom part(7) of the holder(5) is provided with none, a single or multiple magnets(8). The content of the cavity(7) is invisible for a player. The holders(5) are placed on a platform(2). The holders(5) with magnets(8) are attached to the platform(2) by a magnetic force. Depending of the strength of the number of magnets(8), holders are more or less attracted to the platform(2).

[0009] Another embodiment, according to figure 3a, the game device(1) is provided with platform(2) with on its underside an number of magnets(8). These magnets(8) are fixed mounted on several spots or provided in such a way that none or several magnets(8) are capable of being activated. None or multiple magnets(8) can be provided with an electrical current in order to activate or deactivate them. The holders(5) with the prizes and whether or not with magnets(8) in the cavity(7) are glided and attracted, according to a pattern of the magnets(8) on the platform(2). This embodiment has the advantage that the platform(2) has not to be made of metal.

[0010] Another embodiment, according to figure 3b, the platform(2) is on its underside provided with a number of grooves(11), wherein magnets(8) are housed. These magnets(8) are able to be moved in the grooves(11) on the underside of the platform(2). The extremities(12) of the grooves(11) are eventually provided with an electrical circuit to displace the magnets(8) automatically in the grooves(11). The magnets(8) can also be displaced manually in the grooves(11). Consequently, the positions of the magnets(8) on the underside the platform(2) can be changed. According to this embodiment, holders(5) with prizes, provided with magnets(8) can be arbitrary attracted against the platform(2).

Claims

1. A game device(1) of the Balco rotor type, comprises a rotating platform(2) provided with holders(5) with prizes and a swinging arm(9) and characterised in that at least one magnet(8) is provided in the bottom part(7) of at least one holder(5).

2. A game device(1) according to claim 1 and characterised in that multiple magnets(8) are provided in the bottom part(7) of at least one holder(5).

3. A game device(1) according to the previous claims and characterised in that the bottom part(7) of holder(5) is detachable fitted with connecting means.

4. A game device(1) according to claim 1 and characterised in that the rotating platform(2) is provided with magnets(8) on its underside.

5. A game device(1) according to claim 4 and characterised in that one or multiple magnets(8) are able to be activated or deactivated.

6. A game device(1) according to claim 1 and characterised in that the rotating platform(2) is on its underside provided with grooves(11) to house magnets(8).

7. A game device(1) according to claim 6 and characterised in that the magnets(8) in the grooves(11) are movable.

8. A game device(1) according to claim 7 and characterised in that an electrical circuit is provided in the grooves (11) to move the magnets(8).

Drawing