Mechanically actuated turntable target game

#This invention is directed to a tabletop action game which may be utilized by two, three or four players and which challenges the dexterity, coordination and skill of the players. The invention is particularly directed to a tabletop action game in which each player attempts to dispose of a predetermined number of marbles by propelling the marbles into a rotating target, while also contributing to the rotation of the target.

#An object of this invention is a game requiring coordination of both hands by a player to rotate the target carrying turntable with one hand, while properly timing the actuation of the marble propelling means with the player's other hand to shoot the marbles into selected target containers on the rotating turntable.

#Another object of this invention is a tabletop action game in which the target carrying turntable is actuated mechanically by the players and is not dependent on a source of electrical power, such as batteries.

#The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the tabletop action game of this invention, with some parts omitted for clarity of illustration, and the path of travel of a typical marble propelled onto the turntable shown by arrows in sequential positions of the marble as it travels, which positions are shown in phantom lines;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, with the turntable rotated 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 1, and some parts omitted for clarity of illustration;

#FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a table game 11 intended for use by two to four players, each of whom tries to be the first to dispose of his "garbage", which is in the form of marbles 13, by either disposing of them in a replica of a garbage truck 15 or diverting them to his fellow players. The game includes a hollow plastic, thin-walled housing 17 having a top surface 19 supported by side walls 21. A centrally located circular opening 23 is located in the top surface 19.

#A turntable 27 is rotatably mounted in the central circular opening 23. Located at each of the four corners of the housing 17 are a marble propelling or shooting mechanism 29, each with a curved plastic chute 31 to direct the marbles which have been shot onto the turntable 27, and a hand operated, depressible lever 33 which is a part of a mechanism for rotating the turntable.

#The turntable has a frusto-conical top 35 supported on an annular ring 37, as can be most clearly seen in cross section in FIG. 3 of the drawings Positioned around the outer periphery at the upper end of the ring, and equally spaced around the periphery thereof, are upstanding fingers 39 having detents 41 which snap over the top surface 19 of the housing 17 to support the turntable on the plastic housing for rotation A radially-extending rim 43 is formed on the lower edge of the annular ring, and a plurality of ratchet teeth 45 are also formed on the outer surface of the ring, above the rim 43. The rim 43 extends below an interrupted annular, downwardly-depending wall 47 projecting downwardly from the underside of the top surface 19 of the housing to prevent the turntable from falling out of the central circular opening 23 in the event the housing is accidentally inverted.