Amusement device with a moving target and a clock

Abstract

An amusement device includes a housing (21), a drive disk (30) which is mounted for rotation in the housing (21), a target disk (40) which is mounted for rotation with respect to the drive disk (30), targets (50) which are mounted for rotation on the target disk (40), and a drive unit (20) which can drive the drive disk (30) in either of two rational directions. The target disk (40) is connected to the drive disk (30) so that the target disk (40) rotates synchronously with the drive disk (30) during steady-state rotation of the drive disk (30), and so that the target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to the drive disk when the direction of the rotation of the drive disk (30) is reversed, ans so that targets (50) rotate with respect to the target disk (40) when the target disk (40) rotates with respect to the drive disk (30).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to an amusement device having a moving target and a remote controller which serves as a gun, and more particularly to an amusement device incorporating a clock.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Arcade games having moving targets are well known. In their traditional form as found in amusement parks for over a century, moving targets such as metal ducks hinged to platforms drawn by a chain are fired at by a player using a gun which fires some sort of projectiles, even real bullets, at the targets. Hitting the target causes a mechanical reaction, such as flipping the duck backward, and generates a score for the player.

[0005] More recently, the invention of signal transmitters and receivers has permitted the development of target games which do not require firing a projectile at the target. In particular, it is possible to have a handheld “gun” which transmits a focused infrared beam or a light beam at a sensor mounted on a target. When the sensor senses the beam, it can transmit a signal to a controller, which causes a motorized reaction in the target, including sound and lights.

[0006] Wall clocks sometimes incorporate themes and mechanisms to make them more interesting. Mechanical clocks often incorporate pendulums driven by weights as part of their timing mechanism. Clocks having chimes which ring on the hour are known. Cuckoo clocks, in addition to having a pendulum, incorporate a model cuckoo which emerges every hour and makes a number of calls to mark the time. However these clocks are not interactive.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,442 discloses an alarm clock having a sensor for sensing a light beam transmitted by a remote controller in the form a gun which must be carefully aimed at the sensor. The remote controller incorporates optics for focusing the light emitted by a diode, and a trigger for switching it on. The sensor is located in a target, and is wired to turn off an alarm when it senses the light beam. The concept here is to wake up enough to aim the controller and turn off the alarm, without getting out of bed. However the target is not moving, and no motion is initiated when the target is hit with the light beam. The reward is silence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The amusement device according to the invention combines a game of skill incorporating a moving target with a wall clock. According to the invention, the amusement device includes a housing, a drive disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to the housing, a target disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to the drive disk, at least one target mounted to the target disk for rotation with respect to the target disk, and means such as an electric motor for driving the drive disk in opposite directions of rotation. The target disk is connected to the drive disk so that the target disk rotates synchronously with the drive disk during steady-state rotation of the drive disk, so that the target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to the drive disk when the direction of rotation of the drive disk is reversed, and so that at least one target rotates with respect to the target disk when the target disk rotates with respect to the drive disk.

[0009] A remote controller is provided which turns on the electric motor so that the drive disk begins rotating. This is accomplished by an infrared beam emitted by a diode in the remote controller toward a sensor which is fixed with respect to the housing. Once the drive disk and the target disk are rotating, a player can aim the controller at a target on the target disk and “fire” by squeezing a trigger or otherwise activating a switch which allows a transmitted signal, preferably an infrared beam, to be received only when the remote controller is properly aimed. The sensor transmits a signal which causes the motor to run in the opposite direction, which causes relative motion between the target disk and the drive disk, and further causes the targets to rotate with respect to the target disk. In a preferred embodiment, the motor is automatically reversed to run in its original direction as soon as the relative motion between the disks is complete.

[0010] The transmission and reception of signals for reversing the current can be accomplished in a variety of ways. According to a first embodiment, the remote controller transmits a focused beam which is received by a sensor on the target disk when the gun is properly aimed. The sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor in the housing via a brush arrangement, and the microprocessor effects the reversal of current in the drive motor. According to a second embodiment, transmitters are fixed to the target disk, and a receiving sensor is provided at the base of a tube such as a simulated gun barrel on the remote controller. This tube must be carefully aimed at a transmitter on the target desk in order for the remote controller to sense a “hit”. The afore-mentioned transmitter on the remote controller, which is also used to start the game, then transmits another signal to the receiving sensor on the housing to reverse the drive disk, initiate sounds, and illuminate an LED to indicate the score. The advantages of this arrangement are the elimination of focusing optics for the infrared beam, and the concordant need for focusing the remote controller to begin initial rotation of the target disk.

[0011] The amusement device is provided with a face plate which is fixed to the housing and has an aperture through which the target disk is visible over part of its rotation, for example 180 degrees. When two targets are provided, only one is fully exposed for target practice at a given time. The hands of a clock are fixed to the face plate so that the amusement device also functions as a clock on a full time basis. The clock may be driven by a clock module having an internal electrical switch which makes contact every hour, on the hour, to transmit a signal to the microprocessor for starting the motor, as well as activating a speaker to make sounds which alert a potential player that it is time to play. Whether the game is commenced by the remote controller or automatically by the clock module, the disks will rotate for only a predetermined time if no target hits are sensed. The microprocessor is preferably programmed to end the game after a predetermined number of hits are scored, for example six.

[0012] In addition to the hands of a clock, the amusement device is also provided with a pendulum which swings in front of the face plate, below the aperture. This pendulum is connected to a swing arm behind the face plate and driven by a pendulum module which is located with the clock module.

[0013] Part of the charm of the amusement device is the imagery provided on the target disk, the targets, the face plate, and the pendulum. In the fashion of an old shooting gallery, the targets may be fancifully rendered ducks flying against a background of sky on the target disk. The edge of the aperture on the face plate may be profiled with waves, and the pendulum may likewise be provided with images of waves, to give a fanciful impression of moving water. The scoring of a hit is recognized by the ducks spinning first one way, then the other, and then plunging into the water as the target disk resumes rotation relative to the face plate. Background sound may occur at all times, and is overlaid by additional sound when a hit is scored. Additionally, LED's on the face plate light up sequentially as hits are scored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of amusement device according to the invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the housing with some of the components assembled thereto;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive unit;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of the drive disk assembled to the clock disk;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of the gear train in FIG. 5;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic section view of the amusement device;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of the remote controller;

[0022] FIG. 9 is schematic diagram of the electronics in the clock; and

[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electronics in the remote controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows the amusement device according to the invention, as it would appear hanging on a wall. The device includes a face plate 60 having a target aperture 61, a target disk 40 mounted for rotation behind the face plate 60 and partially visible through the aperture 61, a target 50 which is mounted for rotation relative to the target disk 40, and LED's 62 which provide indicia of scoring. There are two targets 50 mounted for rotation on the target disk 40, but only one is visible through the aperture at a given time. The amusement device also incorporates a clock including hands 63, a pendulum 66, and a number ring 69. The number ring 69 is mounted above the circumference of the face plate 60 so that the pendulum can swing freely between the face plate 60 and the number ring 61. The device functions only as a clock until activated, whereupon the target disk rotates to effect a game of skill wherein a player attempts to “shoot” a sensor 56 adjacent to a target 50 with a remote hand-held controller. When the player is successful, the target 50 spins relative to the target disk 40, sound is emitted, and one of the LED's lights up. Each LED stays lit to indicate scoring as the game continues.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows the housing 10 which serves as a base for mounting the other components including the target disk 40 and face plate 60. The housing 10 is preferably made of injection molded plastic and includes an inner wall 15, an outer wall 16, and journals 13, 14 for drive disk 30 and target disk 40, respectively. A drive unit 20 fixed in the housing has a drive gear 29 which engages circumferential gear teeth 34 on the drive disk 30 to drive it in either of two directions, which in turn effects rotation of the target disk 40 as well as rotation of the targets 50 relative to the target disk 40. These rotations are effected via connecting linkage including toothed racks 38 profiled in diametrically opposed apertures 36 in the drive disk 30, and pinions 45 which cause the targets 50 to rotate whenever the direction of rotation of the drive disk 30 is reversed. This linkage will be discussed more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0026] The target disk 30 has a pair of infrared sensors 56 mounted near respective targets 50, preferably so that the sensors are exposed when the targets, which may be irregularly shaped, are stationary with respect to the target disk 40. Brushes 57 mounted underneath the target disk 40 extend through the apertures 36 in the drive disk 30 and make contact with conductive tracks 111 on a PCB 11 fixed in the housing 10. Note that the tracks 111 do not form a complete circuit, as it is only necessary to receive a signal from a target which is exposed through the aperture 61 in the face plate 60. The transmission and sensing of signals will be discussed more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 8-10.

[0027] A clock module 64 and a pendulum module 65 are fixed to the back of the face plate 60 for driving the hands 63 and the pendulum 66, the latter being fixed to a swing arm 67 having an end portion which extends through an aperture 68 in the clock plate 60. The pendulum is itself a plate which may be provided with apertures, profiled edges, and imagery to represent, for example, waves of water. Set against the background of a clock face having like profiling and imagery, the pendulum appears as animated waves.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows the inside of the housing 10, wherein five battery compartments 17, accessible from the outside for placing C-cells, are molded in the floor between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 16. The drive unit 20, as well as a microprocessor 18 and a speaker 19, are also mounted here. The floor area between the inner wall 15 and the journals 13, 14 is provided with a recess which receives the PCB 11 flushly, so that the brushes 57 (FIG. 1) travel smoothly onto tracks without hopping or incurring wear. The central aperture 12 provides access for the clock module, and is surrounded by a tubular wall having a stepped outer surface which forms the journals 13, 14.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive unit 20, which includes a housing 21, a high speed DC electric motor 22, pulleys 23, 25 and a belt 24 for reducing the speed, a worm gear comprising a threaded cylinder 26 and a toothed wheel 27 for further reducing the speed, and a drive gear 29 which is coaxially fixed to the wheel 27 by a vertical shaft 28 passing through the housing 21. The drive gear 29 engages the teeth 34 on the circumference of the drive disk 30 to effect rotation in either of two directions depending on the direction of current in the motor 22.

[0030] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the connecting linkage between the drive disk 30 and the target disk 40 in some detail. The disk 30 has an aperture 36 profiled with an arcuate rack 38. A pinion 45 is journaled on a pin 44 (idler shaft) fixed to the target disk 40 and engages the rack 38. An intermediate gear 46 is coaxially fixed to the pinion 45 to form a stepped gear, the intermediate gear 46 overlapping the drive disk 30 to retain same to the target disk 40. The target 50 is fixed to a hub 52 on the opposite side of the target disk 40, and the hub 52 is fixed on an axle pin 53 passing through a bearing 48 molded on the target disk. A driving gear 54 is pressed on the end of the axle 53, and engages the intermediate gear 46 so that the target 50 is driven to rotate by movement of the drive disk 30 relative to the target disk 40, in response to the rack 38 driving the pinion 45. Note that relative movement between the disks 30, 40 is limited by the length of the rack. Thus, when the pinion 45 reaches the end of the rack 38, the disks 30, 40 rotate together (steady state) and there is no rotation of the targets 50 relative to the disk 40. When the current in the electric motor is reversed, however, the drive disk 30 and the rack 38 move in the opposite direction and effect rotation of the target 50 until the pinion 45 reaches the other end of the rack 38. The disks 30, 40 will then rotate together in the opposite direction unless the direction of the current in the motor is reversed again. According to a preferred embodiment, however, the electronics cause such a reversal after a tine predetermined to correspond to the travel time of the pinion across the rack, whereby the target rotates first one way, then oppositely, until it resumes its original position relative to the target disk 40 and the disk 40 resumes rotation in its initial direction.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows the complete assembly in section taken from 12 o'clock through 6 o'clock as seen in FIG. 1. The drive disk 30 has a downward facing collar 31 which is seated on journal 13 of the housing 10, whereas the target disk 40 has an upward facing collar 41 which is seated on the journal 14 of the housing 10. The central column of the housing is stepped so that the journal 14 is smaller than the journal 13. The stepped journals thus ensure a coaxial alignment of the disks 30, 40 and space the disks from the bottom of the housing. The clock module 64 is accessible through the central opening 12 so that batteries for driving the clock and the pendulum, typically size AA, can be readily replaced. The batteries which provide power for the drive disk 30 can be accessed from the back of the housing. One or more of these compartments could be wired to the clock and pendulum modules, instead of having a battery in the clock module. Note that the two systems are almost completely independent, so that the clock will continue running if the batteries for the target system are depleted, and vice-versa. However use can be made of a time keeping clock module which contains an internal electrical switch that makes contact every hour, on the hour. This is a common feature of clock modules used in clocks that play a sound or have an action every hour. Such a switch can provide an input to the microprocessor so that the target disk will temporarily rotate every hour and invite a player to pick up the remote controller and test his skill with a moving target, somewhat like an interactive cuckoo clock.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows a remote controller 70 comprising a plastic housing 71 in the shape of a gun having gunsight elements 72, a trigger 73 which serves as an on-off switch, batteries 74, a speaker 75 for providing sound such as a shot or ricochet, a light source 76 such as an LED, and focusing lenses 77 and a reflector 78 for generating a focused beam of radiation 79. According to this embodiment, the LED serves as a transmitter for a signal in the form of beam 79 which can be aimed at the targets 50, and thus at the infrared sensors 56, to cause reversal of the drive current and rotation of the targets, together with broadcast of sound indicative of a score and the lighting of an LED. Such a remote controller and associated circuitry are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,442, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That patent discloses an alarm clock having a target which is used to turn off the alarm using a remote controller.

[0033] The function of turning on the electric motor to effect rotation of the target disk in the amusement device of the present invention may be accomplished by an additional IR sensor which is fixed relative to the housing, for example between the inner and outer walls 15, 16, and visible through an aperture in the number ring 69. This would require aiming the controller 70 just to activate the drive unit.

[0034] An alternative embodiment which offers several advantages is depicted in the schematic diagrams for the amusement device (FIG. 9) and the remote controller (FIG. 10). According to this embodiment, an IR sensor is fixed relative to the housing 10, and IR transmitters, rather than IR sensors 56, are fixed to the target disk. The remote controller is provided with an IR transmitter which, via the sensor on the housing, is used to start the electric motor. The signal from this transmitter is not focused, so the remote unit does not have to be carefully aimed. The remote controller also has an IR sensor which receives signals from the transmitters on the target disk, which are activated when the motor is started and powered via the brushes 57. The remote unit is provided with an IR sensor at the base of a tube which must be carefully aimed at one of the moving targets in order to receive the transmitted signal. In practice, this tube may be formed in the shape of a gun barrel and the sensor in the remote unit may be activated by squeezing a trigger. When the sensor in the remote controller receives a signal, it can activate the transmitter in the remote controller to transmit another non-focused signal back to the IR sensor on the housing 10, which effects audible and visual awards such as sequential illumination of LED's 62 on the face plate 60. This arrangement eliminates the need for focusing optics in the remote controller. The player, however, will still have the impression that he has carefully aimed and “fired”.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 9, the electronics in the housing include a pair of CPU's, a pair of transmitters D1, a receiver, a speaker, and six LED's for scoring. The transistors Q1-Q9 include Q1 which turns on the transmitter (only one transmitter is powered at a given time due to the arrangement of the brushes), Q2 which amplifies the audio output for reward sounds to the speaker, and Q3 which amplifies the output for background sounds to the speaker. The transistors Q4-Q8 control the operation of the bidirectional drive motor. Once the motor is turned on, Q4 in a first state turns on Q5 and Q9. Once Q9 is on, it allows current to flow from VCC through the motor to Q5, which completes the circuit to ground. Q6, Q7, and Q8 perform the same function when the motor is reversed.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising:

a housing,

a drive disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to said housing,

means for driving said drive disk in opposite directions of rotation,

means for activating said driving means to drive said drive disk in one of said directions,

means for reversing the direction of rotation of said drive disk,

a target disk which is mounted coaxially with said drive disk,

at least one target mounted to said target disk for rotation with respect to said target disk, and

connecting linkage connecting said target disk to said drive disk so that said target disk rotates synchronously with said drive disk during steady-state rotation of said drive disk, and so that said target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to said drive disk when the direction of rotation of said drive disk is reversed, and so that said at least one target rotates with respect to said target disk when said target disk rotates with respect to said drive disk.

2. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said means for reversing the direction of rotation of said drive disk comprises a remote controller, a transmitter for transmitting a signal, and a receiver for receiving said signal, one of said transmitter and said receiver being incorporated in said remote controller, the other of said transmitter and said receiver being fixed with respect to one of said target disk and said housing.

3. An amusement device as in claim 2 wherein said signal is a focused beam of radiation.

4. An amusement device as in claim 2 comprising at least one said transmitter fixed to said target disk and associated with a respective at least one said target.

5. An amusement device as in claim 4 further comprising indicia for scoring, said indicia for scoring visibly indicating how many times said at least one receiver has received a signal.

6. An amusement device as in claim 4 further comprising indicia for recognition, said indicia for recognition audibly indicating when said at least one receiver has received a signal.

7. An amusement device as in claim 4 wherein said means for activating said driving means comprises a transmitter incorporated in said remote controller and a receiver fixed with respect to said housing.

8. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises an electric motor fixed in said housing, a pinion gear driven by said electric motor, and a circumferential gear on said drive disk, said pinion gear engaging said circumferential gear to cause rotation of said drive disk.

9. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said connecting linkage comprises at least one arcuate rack on said driving wheel and a respective said at least one gear train mounted on said target disk, each said at least one rack causing rotation of a respective said target via a respective said gear train when said target wheel rotates with respect to said drive disk.

10. An amusement device as in claim 8 wherein each said gear train comprises a pinion which engages said rack and a driving gear which is fixed coaxially with respect to said target.

11. An amusement device as in claim 10 wherein each said gear train further comprises an intermediate gear which is fixed coaxially with respect to said pinion and engages said driving gear, said gears being sized so that said driving gear rotates faster than said intermediate gear.

12. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said control means is effective to automatically reverse the direction of rotation of said drive disk when said target disk has just completed said limited rotation with respect to said drive disk, whereby the direction of rotation of said targets is reversed.

13. An amusement device as in claim 12 wherein, when said target disk has completed two consecutive limited rotations in opposite directions with respect to said drive disk, said at least one target assumes the same position with respect to said target disk as it had prior to said consecutive rotational movements.

14. An amusement device as in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a face plate which obscures a portion of said target disk so that each said at least one target is visible for only a limited time as said target disk rotates.

15. An amusement device as in claim 14 wherein said targets are provided with images of game animals, said rotating target disk appearing from behind said face plate as a shooting gallery.

16. An amusement device as in claim 14 further comprising a clock, said clock comprising hands which are mounted for rotation on said face plate.

17. An amusement device as in claim 16 wherein said means for activating said driving means comprises a timer which automatically activates said driving means to drive said drive disk in one of said directions for a predetermined time interval at predetermined times as indicated by said clock.

18. An amusement device as in claim 16 further comprising a pendulum which swings back and forth in front of part of said target disk when said clock is operating.

19. An amusement device as in claim 18 wherein said housing comprises a face plate which obscures a portion of said target disk so that each said at least one target is visible for only a limited time as said target plate rotates, said pendulum obscuring part of said face plate and being arranged to swing back and forth in front of said face plate.

20. An amusement device as in claim 19 wherein said targets are provided with images of birds and said face plate and said pendulum are provided with images of water, whereby said target disk, when rotating, gives the impression of birds flying over moving water.

21. An amusement device comprising:

a housing,

a drive disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to said housing,

driving means for driving said drive disk in opposite directions of rotation,

means for activating said driving means to drive said drive disk in one of said directions,

means for reversing the direction of rotation of said drive disk,

a target disk which is mounted coaxially with said drive disk,

at least one pivotable element mounted to pivot with respect to one of said target disk and said housing, and

connecting linkage connecting said target disk to said drive disk so that said target disk rotates synchronously with said drive disk during steady-state rotation of said drive disk, and so that said target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to said drive disk when the direction of rotation of said drive disk is reversed, and so that said at least one pivotable element pivots with respect to said one of said target disk and said housing when said target disk rotates with respect to said drive disk.

22. An amusement device as in claim 21 wherein said means for reversing the direction of rotation of said drive disk comprises a remote controller, a transmitter for transmitting a signal, and a receiver for receiving said signal, one of said transmitter and said receiver being incorporated in said remote controller, the other of said transmitter and said receiver being fixed with respect to one of said target disk and said housing.

23. An amusement device as in claim 22 wherein said means for activating said driving means comprises a remote controller, a transmitter for transmitting a signal, and a receiver for receiving said signal, said transmitter being incorporated in said remote controller, said receiver being fixed with respect to one of said housing.

24. An amusement device as in claim 21 wherein said at least one pivotable element comprises at least one target which is mounted to rotate with respect to said target disk.

25. An amusement device as in claim 24 wherein said means for reversing the direction of rotation of said drive disk comprises a remote controller, at least one transmitter for transmitting a signal, and at least one receiver for receiving said signal, said at least one transmitter being fixed to said target disk, said at least one receiver being fixed to said remote controller.

26. An amusement device comprising

a housing,

a target disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to said housing,

means for driving said target disk,

means for activating said driving means to drive said target disk, said means comprising a remote controller, a transmitter fixed with respect to said remote controller, and a receiver fixed with respect to said housing,

at least one pivotable element mounted to pivot with respect to one of said target disk and said housing, and

means for causing said at least one pivotable element to pivot with respect to said one of said target disk and said housing, said means comprising said remote controller, a transmitter fixed to one of said target disk and said remote controller, and a receiver fixed to the other of said target disk and said remote controller.