Crane game claw gauge
OwnerStephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A game apparatus allowing a player to position a pick-up device over an offered prize, to pick up the prize with the pick-up device, and to reposition the pick-up device and release the prize from the pick-up device to the player. The pick-up device includes a claw with fingers and a gauge between the fingers to facilitate more securely grasping the offered prize between the fingers. The pick-up device is connected to a movement device to facilitate player positioning of the pick-up device. The pick-up device and movement device are located within a housing above the offered prizes which are also within the housing.
Claims26
A pick-up device comprising:
- an actuating mechanism;
- a plurality of fingers pivotally supported by said actuating mechanism such that said fingers can be moved between an open and closed position when said actuating mechanism is moved between a first and second position;
- and
- a gauge having a first portion adjustably coupled to said actuating mechanism and a second portion that is located within a volume defined by said fingers, said gauge being adjustable to vary the distance which said gauge extends from said actuating mechanism independently from said plurality of fingers.
A pick-up device comprising:
- an actuating mechanism;
- a plurality of fingers pivotally supported by said actuating mechanism such that said fingers can be moved between an open and closed position when said actuating mechanism is moved between a first and second position;
- and
- a gauge having a first portion coupled to said actuating mechanism and a second portion that is located within a volume defined by said fingers, wherein a tip of said gauge is concavely curved.
A pick-up device comprising:
- an actuating mechanism;
- a plurality of fingers pivotally supported by said actuating mechanism such that said fingers can be moved between an open and closed position when said actuating mechanism is moved between a first and second position;
- and
- a gauge having a first portion coupled to said actuating mechanism and a second portion that is located within a volume defined by said fingers, wherein said actuating mechanism has a centerline about which said fingers extend, and along which said gauge extends, and wherein a tip of said gauge includes a flange extending from said gauge at a particular angle relative to said centerline.
A pick-up device comprising:
- a claw device having:
- a plurality of fingers which define a volume between said fingers;
- a gauge having a portion located in said volume between said fingers;
- and
- a claw actuating mechanism comprising:
- a plunger to which said fingers are coupled at a first end of said fingers;
- a housing slideably coupled with said plunger, said housing including a solenoid, said housing, solenoid and plunger configured such that when said solenoid is activated, said plunger moves toward said housing;
- and
- a plurality of lever arms, a first end of each of said lever arms being connected to an intermediate point along a corresponding finger, said lever arms being pivotally mounted at a second end to said housing, such that when said plunger moves into said housing, said fingers pivot inwardly about said first ends of said fingers;
- and
- a movement device for moving said claw.
A game apparatus offering a plurality of prizes for a player to pick up during a game, said game apparatus comprising:
- a game housing;
- a playing area within said housing, said playing area having a prize holding area including said prizes;
- a pick-up device disposed substantially above said prize holding area and operative to pick up one of said prizes, said pick-up device comprising a claw having a plurality of fingers which define a volume between said plurality of fingers, and a gauge having a portion located within said volume between said plurality of fingers;
- and
- a control device coupled to said pick-up device to facilitate control of said pick-up device.
A method for providing a game for a player to pick up and receive an offered prize, said method comprising:
- providing a claw having a plurality of fingers which define a volume between said plurality of fingers, and a gauge having a portion located within said volume between said plurality of fingers;
- positioning said claw substantially over said offered prize;
- lowering said claw;
- closing said fingers on said offered prize to grasp said offered prize in said claw while engaging said portion of said gauge with said offered prize;
- raising said claw and said offered prize;
- and
- opening said fingers to release said offered prize for dispensing of said offered prize to said player.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.