Abstract: A game employing a gun capable of emitting a light beam can be played using a target apparatus which ejects objects each time this apparatus is appropriately actuated by a light beam. The target apparatus includes a turntable which is capable of being rotated by a motor. The turntable includes a plurality of holders, each of which is adapted to hold an object to be ejected from the apparatus. An ejection lever is mounted on the base of the apparatus so as to be capable of ejecting an object from a holder positioned directly above it. After such an object is ejected the motor rotates the turntable. Structures are provided for returning the ejection lever to a position in which it can eject an object from an adjacent holder and for indexing the turntable so that an adjacent holder is above the lever as a result of such rotation of the turntable. A circuit including a photocell is provided on the apparatus for operation of the ejection lever so as to eject an object from a holder positioned above this lever.

Abstract: A competitive game for play between two players has a support structure which is capable of holding a multiplicity of loose objects. The objects are located on the support structure within a containing framework which includes a centralized holding member and a plurality of locating members. The locating members are activated by appropriate player controls causing the objects to be continually agitated until one of the objects becomes located within a holding member. Each player using a separate control also controls a capture member. When an object is correctly positioned within the holding member each player attempts to capture the object in his capture member before the other player can do the same. After one object is successfully captured the players then attempt to reposition a second object within the holding member to repeat the capture sequence.

Abstract: A game of the type having a housing and including in the housing a ball launching mechanism, a propulsion mechanism and at least one target is improved by incorporating in the game a plurality of balls and a reservoir means located to store these balls and feed them one at a time to the ball launching mechanism. The ball launching mechanism includes an inclined ramp positioned to receive the balls from the reservoir. The balls roll down the inclined ramp and are positioned in the proximity of the propulsion mechanism such that if movement of the propulsion mechanism is coordinated with movement of the balls down the inclined ramp the propulsion mechanism is capable of acting on the balls and propelling them toward the target. Associated with the target is a counter mechanism which indicates the number of balls which have been successfully propelled toward the target and captured by the target.

Abstract: A game in which a player attempts to move an object through a maze has a housing which has an upstanding fulcrum located within the housing. A platform member having a maze located on its upper surface which is viewable outside of the housing is located in the housing above the fulcrum such that the platform member rests on the fulcrum and is tiltable a full 360 degrees about the fulcrum. A portion of the platform serves as a cam follower. A cam member is rotatably mounted on the housing adjacent to the fulcrum and positioned so as to be capable of interacting with that portion of the platform serving as a cam follower. In response to rotation of the cam the platform, including the maze located thereon, is tilted. An object located within the maze is capable of moving within the maze in response to tilting of platform.

Abstract: A manipulative game can be constructed so as to utilize a housing having a transparent cover and a bottom member located within the housing adjacent to the cover and so as to be movable with respect to the cover between a no-play position in which one or more objects are clamped by the bottom member against the cover and a play position in which the objects may be moved to various locations relative to the bottom member. A timer is preferably employed with the game for operating an elevating structure which moves the bottom member between the play and the no-play positions. A stop mechanism is preferably provided for stopping the operation of the timer mechanism. Although the game is useable with only a single object within the space between the bottom member and the cover preferably a plurality of objects are used and the bottom member is provided with a series of recesses, each of the objects being capable of fitting within only one of the recesses.

Abstract: A toy camera having a housing shaped to depict a camera including a view finder, a lens, and a flash turret has an opening in the housing allowing ingress and egress into the interior of the housing. A plate representing a picture has a flat surface and is capable of fitting into the opening such that it can be inserted and retained in the housing. An ejection member is located in the housing in position to operatively interact with the plate when the plate is inserted in the housing such that upon activation by the operator of the toy the plate can be ejected from the housing. Also located within the housing is a braking member which is positioned to bear on the flat surface of the plate as the plate is ejected from the housing. The braking member effectively retards or slows down the ejection of the plate from the housing and concurrently deposits a thin film of fluid on the flat surface of the plate.

Abstract: A toy pinball game mounted within an appropriate housing has a playing surface and at least one movable object located within the housing movable upon the playing surface. The game includes an object launching member for initially propelling an object across the playing surface. The game is improved by incorporating on the playing surface a target member which is slidably mounted on the playing surface to move from an initial position through a plurality of intermediate positions to a signaling position. Operatively connected to the target member is a target retention apparatus which will retain the target in the initial position or any of the intermediate positions until the target is struck by the object at which time the retention apparatus releases the target member from the initial position allowing it to slide into the first of the intermediate positions.

Abstract: A board game is constructed having a playing surface and an object release mechanism coordinating with the playing surface such that an object released from the release mechanism is deposited onto the playing surface. A target mechanism having an object holder located thereon moves along the playing surface. The target mechanism is driven to move in a timed sequence on the playing surface and if the object is released from the object release mechanism in coordination with movement of the target, the object will be retained on the object holder. If, however, the release of the object from the object release mechanism is not coordinated with the movement of the target, the object will miss the target and be deposited in a receptacle in the playing surface. The game is played with a plurality of objects and skill is measured by correctly depositing as many of these objects as possible in the object holder as opposed to the receptacle.

Abstract: A toy game has a series of objects mounted on at least one endless belt such that the objects continuously orbit within the toy and are alternately exposed through a viewing window. A projectile is also mounted within the toy and can be seen through the viewing window. The projectile is capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the orbit of the objects upon depressing a projectile launch button. Further the projectile is capable of moving in a direction parallel to the orbit of the objects under direct response to an operator controlled guidance wheel. When the projectile and an object are in a position wherein they occupy the same space as defined by x and y coordinates but not necessarily z coordinates of an x, y, z coordinate system the projectile is deemed to have scored a hit on the object. When thus hit the object motion ceases for an interval of time and the operator of the toy accumulates a number of points on a scoring device corresponding in value to the object hit.

Abstract: A baseball game having a housing with a transparent face with a baseball diamond thereon, first, second and third mechanical mechanisms for respectively simulating the pitching of a baseball, the swinging of a bat, and an appropriate hitting/catching situation. Other person operated controls permit simulation of a pitched baseball in either strike or ball configuration, and energization of the spring motor contained within the housing. When a simulated hit is made, lights are energized from a built-in battery supply for indicating same. Scoring structures are provided for keeping track of the various situations as in a real game of baseball.

Abstract: A game which can be used by either a sole player or preferably two players using the game in a competitive spirit is constructed to include within a housing a movable member. Upon activation, preferably by the first player, the movable member travels down a guide path from a first position to a second position. The second player then attempts to strike the movable member with a striking member. If the second player's movements are coordinated with the motion of the movable member and the movable member is struck at the appropriate time, a chance wheel is activated. The first player then controls the chance wheel by depressing a chance wheel stopping button which stops the chance wheel such that one of a plurality of indicia is exposed indicating the outcome of the second player's effect on the movable member. This outcome is then recorded on an accumulator for maintaining a record of the game.

Abstract: A flipper mechanism for use in a pinball game in conjunction with a playing surface to propel an object across that playing surface comprises a flipper member shaped to have a hub section and a finger section. The finger section includes a striking surface for making contact with and accelerating the object across the playing surface. The playing surface includes at least one upstanding boss projecting from the surface. The interior of the boss is hollow. The hub portion of the flipper member has a generally cylindrical-like surface which includes a spirally inclined cam integrally formed on the cylindrical-like surface. The hub portion of the flipper member fits over the upstanding boss projecting from the playing surface.