Abstract: An arcade game gamepiece directing mechanism facilitates a player in guiding a gamepiece in a desired direction over a playing surface. The gamepiece directing mechanism includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion connected to each other. The rigid portion receives inputs from the player and translates them to the flexible portion. When a gamepiece is received by the rigid portion and passed through the flexible portion, the combined motion of the rigid portion and flexible portion causes the gamepiece to travel in a particular direction over the playing surface. The rigid portion can be pivotally to the arcade game, while a distal end of the flexible portion can be restricted by an end restriction that restricts one, two, or three degrees of freedom of the distal end. The end restriction can also be movable relative to the playing surface.

Abstract: A video crane game including a display device, such as a video screen, for displaying images. A mechanical crane-like device provided over the display device includes an x-y assembly for allowing a player to control the movement of a selection head in an x-y plane. A z-movement device causes the selection head to move in a z-direction toward and away from the images of the display device. A sensor detects a location of the selection head with respect to the images displayed on the display device when the head is moved just above or contacts the display. A game controller controls the display of the images and determines a game outcome based on the location of the selection head with respect to the displayed images. The displayed images may include multiple selectable image targets, such as prize images associated with a prize, penalty areas, or images associated with a point score. A dispenser dispensing an award to a player of the game apparatus, such as tickets or prizes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive funnel amusement device. The interactive funnel amusement device allows a user to interact with the interactive funnel amusement device to a greater extent than prior art funnel devices. In one embodiment, the interactive funnel amusement device includes a funnel and a target. The target is located on an interior surface of the funnel such that when an object is rolled along the interior surface of the funnel the object is capable of interacting with the target. The interactive funnel amusement device can also include an adjustable guide. The adjustable guide is capable of guiding the object along one of a number of trajectories along the funnel such that the object rolls around the interior surface of the funnel in a substantially spiral manner. The adjustable guide can also be used to aim the object along a trajectory that causes the object to interact with the target located on the interior surface of the funnel.

Abstract: An improved vacuum crane game and method. Multiple prizes are provided on a rotating turntable. A player may control horizontal movement of a vacuum pick-up device positioned above the prize area. The pick up device includes a vacuum head that may be raised and lowered relative to the turntable in a z-direction. The vacuum head is used to pick up one of the prizes using a suction force that is provided by a vacuum pump coupled to the vacuum head by a hose and located away from the vacuum head. In one embodiment, a vacuum sensor in the vacuum head may sense whether a prize is picked up. The pick-up device is moved to a dispenser area and the suction force is removed to allow the prize to fall to a conveyor device, which moves the prize to a dispenser where it is delivered to the player.

Abstract: A redemption ticket and dispenser therefor. The redemption tickets or "stamps" are printed with indicia that include a sequence of successive characters printed across multiple tickets. The tickets may have about a thickness of white bond paper (20 lb.) and a length as little as three-quarters of an inch. A notch is cut at a perforation between each of the tickets of the strip, and the ticket strip can be gummed to allow the tickets to adhere to a surface. A ticket dispenser for dispensing the improved (or other) redemption tickets receives a ticket strip from a ticket supply and includes a rear guide, sensor, front guide, and drive roller along a ticket path. The drive roller engages and pulls the tickets strip along the ticket path, while the rear and front guides align the ticket strip. The ticket strip is wrapped at least partially around the guides and drive roller so that drag is induced on the ticket strip to prevent a recipient of the tickets from pulling the tickets out of the dispenser.

Abstract: An improved rotary push arcade game including a turntable having a central aperture. Prize objects which are positioned on the surface of the turntable are moved by a pivoting arm member positioned above the turntable. An improved tip of the arm member is engaged with the surface of the turntable and is used to engage an object and push the object into a collection pocket. The collection pocket detects the presence of the object and provides the object to the player. An object dispenser which is positioned in the central aperture of the turntable is used for dispensing additional objects onto the surface of the turntable as required. A wheel mechanism coupled to the turntable near the edge of the turntable causes the turntable to rotate.

Abstract: A storage rack for relatively thin, flat articles such as audio or video cassettes, compact discs, or computer discs comprises a shelf unit having a rear wall and a plurality of spaced parallel shelf flanges projecting outwardly from the rear wall, and a support for supporting the shelf unit in a generally upright orientation with its rear wall inclined rearwardly. Each adjacent pair of shelf flanges is arranged to slidably receive the rear edge portion only of an article and to support the article in a generally horizontal orientation with its outermost edge located in a staggered relationship relative to the next adjacent articles.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing items from a plurality of dispensers in one or more vending or amusement machines includes a plurality of elongate support members each having a rotatably mounted support plate at one end. Items are releasably supported by the support member so that one item is dispensed from the free end of the support member for each complete revolution. A single drive gear motor operates all of the support members and is connected to each support plate via a series of driven rollers or pulleys and a continuous belt or chain extending around the rollers. Each driven roller is drivably connected to a respective one of the support plates via a clutch. A releasable stop mechanism is associated with each support plate for releasably engaging the plate to prevent it from rotating. An actuator controls release of the respective support plates for rotation through one revolution, and one or more selected plates may be released at any one time.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus comprises a pair of spaced elongate members defining a track and a rolling member for rolling along the track under the control of an operator. The elongate members are spaced a fixed distance apart at their first ends, this end comprising the normal home position of the rolling member. The opposite, second ends of the elongate members are movable relative to one another to adjust their spacing and to control movement of the ball along the track. The second ends are preferably mounted on a transversely extending track and are moveable towards and away from one another along the track. A drive assembly drives the second ends and a control device, which is at least partially controllable by the operator, controls operation of the drive assembly. The operator must control separation of the elongate members so that the rolling member can roll from its home position to the opposite end of the track without falling through the opening between the elongate members.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus in which a player controls positioning of a pick-up device such as a mechanical grabber having moveable claws or pincers over a floor area on which prize objects are placed. The floor area is rotatable and the pick up device is attached to an overhead transport mechanism for moving it back and forth across a portion of the floor area, so that the pick up device can cover the entire prize area during one complete revolution of the floor. Several pick up devices may be provided at spaced positions around the floor area so that more than one player may use the device at the same time. The floor area is preferably circular, and rotates around its center axis with the pick up devices travelling back and forth between the center and outer edge of the floor area. The entire device is enclosed in an outer housing which is at least partially transparent.

Abstract: An amusement apparatus or game comprises a moveable surface on which a plurality of items are distributed, and a pusher device for operation by a player in attempting to push items off the surface. The moveable surface is driven in a first predetermined path, and the pusher device is moveable in a linear path transverse to the path of travel of the surface. A reversible drive mechanism which is at least partially controlled by the player moves the pusher device in a linear path transversely across the moving surface. A delivery chute at one end of the path of the pusher device is arranged to deliver any item swept off the surface to the player.

Abstract: An amusement device in which a player controls positioning of a mechanical pick-up device such as a claw having pincers or fingers which can be closed over an object to be retrieved. The grasping claw is positioned within a housing on the floor of which various objects are placed for retrieval by players. The claw is attached to an overhead transport mechanism which is driven by various external controls to position the claw anywhere in the housing. Once a chosen position over an object is reached the claw is lowered automatically and can be stopped and closed by the player in an attempt to grasp the object. when the claw is closed it is automatically raised back to its uppermost position and returned to a home position over a chute for delivering any retrieved object to the player.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an amusement game wherein coins are dropped onto a flat surface over which a vertical dam is horizontally translated. The vertical dam translates over a portion of the flat surface and will thus drop certain of the accumulated coins over the edge. The coins, as they drop over the edge, are collected in a counting chute to be synchronously counted in a memory which is then synchronously unloaded to vend out a corresponding number of tokens.

Abstract: An amusement device wherein coins may be controllably deposited upon a surface having a multiplicity of surface interruption means thereon. A vertical dam synchronously translates over at least a portion of said surface and pushes said deposited coins against an accumulated random pattern of like coins, thereby causing some of said accumulated coins to fall over an edge into collecting and counting means.