Benchmark Entertainment, Lc

Bally Manufacturing Corporation

Other

Midway Mfg. Co.

Tournament Games, Inc.

Benchmark Entertainment LLC

Benchmark Entertaiment, L.c.

Benchamark L.c.

Arcade Engineering, Inc.

Ronald D Halliburton

James H Pearson

Robert J Sava

Steve Corso

Allen L Ryan

Eric G Jansons

David L Hodges

David Hodge

Steven Corso

Jack Pearson

Curtis Elrod

An amusement game with a parabolic ball launcher for projecting a ball that will attempt to strike a primary hoop target, which can pivot or oscillate. The primary target allows the stricken ball to fall through and attempt to hit one of the two openings on a suspended platform positioned on a rotating wheel, which has openings toward the periphery of the wheel to eventually rest the ball. The rotating wheel has programmable displays corresponding to each of the openings on the periphery of the wheel, which can be adjusted based on user input to reflect new parameters or values.

Parabolic ball launcher amusement game

The present invention provides a method for playing a computer-based solitaire game including the steps of retrieving an input from an internet server to a computer, playing and scoring the game according to the input. The internet server and the computer are intermittently connected during the game and the input comprises a scoring method and a game pattern which are controlled and predetermined by the internet. The present invention also provides a computer-based solitaire game comprising a network connection to an internet server for retrieving an input and for comparing scores, and a control system for a player having means for operating on the input and means for displaying the input and the comparison results to the player. The input comprises a scoring method and a game pattern which are controlled and predetermined by the internet server, and the game pattern comprises game features and graphic elements. The present invention further provides a method for operating a tournament game over the internet having the steps of establishing communication between a central server and a player's computer, downloading an input onto the player's computer, re-accessing periodically to the player's computer from the central server, transferring information relating to player's identity, the game, and result to the central server, comparing scoring results from multiple players in the central server according to the tournament structure, displaying the comparison results on the player's computer, and continuing playing the game according to results and the tournament structure.

Solitaire game played over the internet with features to extend play

This invention is directed to an amusement device consisting of a vertically oriented hollow wheel that is rotated at a constant rate and that has a series of cavities provided along the inner surface of the outer wheel rim. The wheel has front and rear enclosures that prevent game pieces, such as elastic balls, from falling out of the wheel. A player attempts to time the release of game pieces from a holding area located within the wheel to try to have the pieces come to rest in preselected adjoining cavities. If the pieces are detected within the cavities in a winning orientation, a signal is transmitted to a central processing unit which then activates a ticket dispenser.

Amusement game using vertical rotating wheel

An improved device for distributing tickets or coupons is disclosed that includes a plurality of ticket chutes each having a ticket guide assembly for guiding tickets through the chute and an exit slot and biasing tickets against a drive wheel which engages the tickets. The drive wheel is powered by a motor which uses a drive belt to power a screw gear which in turn rotates and axle on which the drive wheel is attached. The motor is activated by a controller in response to an input signal and the controller may also received input from an optical sensor in the chute for the detection of the tickets and the movement of the motor.

Ticket dispenser

An amusement device that includes a horizontally oriented rotating wheel having a plurality of apertures through the wheel and a release mechanism that will release game pieces from a location above the wheel is disclosed. The game can be played by exercising skill or it can be configured to result in a random outcome. In the skilled based embodiment of the invention, a user tries to time the activation of the release mechanism so that a high energy ball drops down from the release mechanism and falls through the rotating wheel. If a ball passes directly through the wheel, the ball is detected by a detector that is positioned below the wheel and an award is provided to the player. In an alternative embodiment of the device, the device is designed to release a plurality of balls which will bounce and roll on the rotating wheel until they are captured in apertures that are provided through the wheel. Each aperture has a detector and if the balls are captured in pre-selected apertures, an award is provided to the player.

Ball drop amusement game

A ticket counter and cutter includes cutting blades, being complementary and in mesh engagement, during operation; at least one bar code reader; and a belt assembly, for receiving a bar coded ticket and advancing the ticket to the bar code reader and then to the cutter.

Ticket counter and cutter

An amusement device for playing a skilled based game, that includes a balloon, a pump for inflating the balloon, a connecting hose for connecting the pump to the balloon, a release value for relieving pressure from the pressurized system, which includes the pump, the connecting hose, and the balloon. The game includes a countdown timer for providing a predetermined game interval, and an activation switch for the initiation of the play of the game and the countdown timer. A first detector is provided for detecting the successful exercise of skill during the play of the game and providing a signal to the controller reflecting the successful exercise of skill. A controller performs a number of functions including, in response to said signal reflecting the successful exercise of skill, activation of the air pump to operate during said game interval wherein the air pump will cause balloon to inflate. In the event a signal is recognized by the controller for a sufficient time over said predetermined game interval, the pump will be correspondingly activated for a duration which will cause the balloon to burst. After an unsuccessful play of the game the controller will activate the release valve to allow any pressure in said system to dissipate.

Balloon amusement game

This invention relates to coin-operated amusement games referred to as cranes. Cranes have a plurality of prizes that are distributed across the play field of a container that has a claw or other engagement device suspended above the prizes. A player remotely controls the location of the claw above the prizes to a desired location and the claw is then lowered toward the prizes. The play field surface on which the prizes are distributed can be vertically moved as the prizes are withdrawn to maintain the appearance that the container is substantially full of prizes. The drive mechanism that moves the play field surface includes a motor coupled to an drive belt that drives a threaded nut. As the nut is driven, opposite threads on a threaded rod are engaged and the rod is caused to move upward or downward. One end of the threaded rod is received in a bushing on the bottom surface of the play field surface. The invention also includes a motor for rotating the claw with respect to the play field surface and air powered claw device.

Crane amusement game with vertically adjustable play field

A vend mechanism for transferring articles, or prizes, to a receiving area of a vending machine accessible from outside the machine, including an amusement game machine, has a plurality of conveyors arranged radially on each of a plurality of spaced plates. A first drive mechanism is provided to rotate an assembly of the plates so that a selected column of conveyors is in alignment with the receiving area and, for each plate, a second drive mechanism is provided to operate the conveyor that is in the transferring orientation so that an article, or prize, on the conveyor is transferred to the receiving area.

Rotating vend mechanism

An amusement game that includes a horizontally-oriented rotating wheel, a coin chute to introduce a coin to a central region of said rotating wheel wherein the coin slides on its lateral side, a stationary guide to direct the coin in a radial direction from the central region of the wheel toward the periphery of the wheel, and a plurality of payoff positions located at angular positions on the wheel. A detector is provided to determine if a coin introduced to the wheel intersects with a payoff position.

Amusement game

A coin operated device for the distribution of items includes a target array of tubular members containing items. A ram attached to and extending from a support member. The support member providing for movement of the ram within a plane. The ram is employed to force the items from the selected tubular member of the target array.

Grid skill amusement game or dispensing device

A coin operated amusement device that includes a coin acceptor that directs coins down a coin chute and delivers the coins to a playing surface. A series of moveable pushers are oriented on the playing surface and push coins on the surface toward a ledge. The distance the pusher will travel toward the ledge is dependent on the timing of the insertion of the coin into the acceptor with respect to a moving indicator that constantly sweeps back and forth across a gauge. The pushers may be advanced independently or in unison. The object of the game is to time the insertion of coins so that the pusher will travel a maximum distance and push coins off the ledge.

Dozer pusher amusement game

In a coin operated amusement game, a coin track is provided directing coins toward a plurality of target receptacles arranged to receive properly timed coins. Relative movement is provided between the target track and the receptacles. A properly timed coin inserted in the track will roll down the track, then travel through the air, and then land in and be retained in the target receptacle. Dump targets are provided wherein a properly timed coin will activate the dump target and cause the corresponding receptacle to be dumped and provide the player with an award corresponding to the number of coins dumped out of the receptacle.

Variable jackpot amusement game

In an coin operated amusement game, a coin track is provided directing coins toward a plurality of target receptacles arranged to receive properly timed coins. Relative movement is provided between the target track and the receptacles. A properly timed coin inserted in the track will roll down the track, then travel through the air, and then land in and be retained in the target receptacle. Dump targets are provided wherein a properly timed coin will activate the dump target and cause the corresponding receptacle to be dumped and provide the player with an award corresponding to the number of coins dumped out of the receptacle.

An article dispensing device including a cabinet defines a dispensing path viewable from outside the cabinet and a plurality of randomly operating elements for possibly diverting an article travelling along the path. A bonus article is dispensed if a primary article successfully negotiates the dispensing path without being diverted. The average rate of operation of the diverting device increases with each diverting device encountered by the article along the dispensing path. For each diverting device, the average rate of operation is greater when an article nears than at other times.

Growing community of inventors

Delray Beach, FL, United States of America

Ronald D Halliburton