Patents by Inventor Walter M. Burnside

Walter M. Burnside has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4484592
    Abstract: Coin-release amusement apparatus dispenses tokens in response to a winning combination and includes a coin-release device for activating the apparatus; a repository for receiving coins from the coin-release device; a token storage and dispensing device separate from the coin-release device for storing a supply of tokens and dispensing controlled quantities of the tokens on a win, the token storage and dispensing device including an upper storage section, a mid transfer section and a lower dispensing section; and a provision to allow replenishing of the token supply without interrupting the operation of the amusement apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4358114
    Abstract: A reel spin mechanism for use in an amusement or game device includes a reel mounted for rotation, and a disc having notches in its periphery is attached to the reel. A drive lever mechanism having a drive member at its distal end is pivotally mounted, and a system for pivoting the drive lever mechanism toward and away from the disc is provided to engage and disengage the drive member with a notch on the disc. The pivoting system effects full engagement of the drive member with a notch and then effects a few degrees of controlled rotation of the reel in a first direction of rotation. Another mechanism thereafter imparts spin to the reel in a direction opposite the first rotative direction of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4282892
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing paper money or currency bills according to which the bills are lodged in transparent containers fed from a magazine adapted for use in vending, amusement, gaming and other coin-operated or coin-handling machines. The dispensing mechanism is provided with open portions through which the transparent bill containers can be seen through a viewing window in the associated vending-like machine. An electromagnetic dispensing and safety lockout mechanism activates a dispensing gate to release one bill container at a time under control of circuit means in the vending or like associated machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4239225
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for stopping a rotatable circular disc of the type which has a plurality of notches in the circumference thereof, such as may be used in game machines which have rotatable symbol carrying reels. The apparatus includes an improved index arm assembly which has the capability of cushioning the shock that occurs when its associated stop member engages a notch of the disc for stopping the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4191377
    Abstract: An amusement apparatus has a plurality of rotary drums, each bearing a plurality of symbols with each symbol being related to an index position. The drums are caused to be rotated then arrested so as to display a combination of symbols having a certain play value. Two solenoid operated pawls are provided whereby an operator may selectively advance the rotation of one of the drums to a fractional rotation equal to one index position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4190066
    Abstract: Coin handling apparatus operative to pay out selectively presettable numbers of coins and automatically substitute paper money when the number of coins called for exceeds some arbitrary limit whereby risk of depleting the supply of coins by a succession of large withdrawals is alleviated, or alternatively to dispense some predetermined number of coins or an equivalent or other denomination of paper money or tickets depending on the adjustment of a value-setting switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1980
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4155437
    Abstract: A transport device for a game machine which allows a plurality of coins to be automatically accepted into the machine to actuate a credit switch so that the machine can be enabled for energization rapidly and automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Roman A. Tojza, Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 4017077
    Abstract: A pin ball-type game with at least one bingo-type matrix on which a winning combination can be formed during play having a matrix transformation means for changing the matrix arrangement to enable a player to obtain a winning combination of maximum score value, and having a score value altering means associated therewith which a player has the option of activating whenever a said winning combination is formed on said matrix in place of accepting the regular score value for the combination, with the score altering means adapted at random to either double the score value normally awarded for the particular winning combinaton or awarding no score for the winning combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1977
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside
  • Patent number: 3993312
    Abstract: In a pin ball game apparatus a Bingo-type score card having a shiftable mask plate associated therewith for changing the score value of a winning combination where the mask plate is reciprocably movable vertically in opposite directions from a center position relative to the score card by a rotatable cam connected to a lever arm supporting the mask plate, a locking mechanism associated with the lever arm which restrains the movement of the mask plate away from the center position in at least one direction, and a spring biased linkage interposed between the rotatable cam and the lever arm which permits the cam to be rotated 360.degree. while the locking mechanism restrains movement of the mask plate away from the center position in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Bally Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Walter M. Burnside