Miniature Golf Playing Device (Patent No: 362908)

Inventor: Smeal, Arthur Bulmer (co-inventor)

Location: Calgary

Comments: N/A

Description:
WHAT WE CLAIM AS OUR INVENTION IS:-
1. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a receiver for the played balls passed through the outlets, means for successively elevating the balls from the receiver to the playing, level, and coin actuated mechanism for feeding the balls from the receiver into the elevating means.

2. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a receiver for the played balls passed through the outlets, means for successively elevating the balls from the receiver to the playing level, coin actuated mechanism for feeding the balls from the receiver into the elevating means, and means for normally locking the elevating means releasable by the operating of the coin actuated mechanism.

3.In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a receiver for the played balls passed through the outlets, means for successively elevating the balls from the receiver to the playing level, coin actuated mechanism for feeding the balls from the receiver into the elevating means, and means for preventing the passage of balls from the receiver during the operation of the elevating means.

4. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged and numbered apertures therein forming ball outlets, of a record strip for receiving the imprint of the score, and means operated by the passage of a ball through an outlet for individually printing the score number of such outlet on the strip.

5. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged and numbered apertures therein forming ball outlets, of a record strip for receiving the imprint or the score, means operated by the passage of a ball through an outlet for individually printing the score number of such outlet on the strip, and means for simultaneously returning the individual printing means to normal after the playing of the game.

6. In a device for playing miniature, golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged and numbered apertures therein forming ball outlets, of a record strip for receiving the imprint of the score, means operated by the passage of a ball through an outlet for individually printing the score number of such outlet on the strip, and means for automatically closing the ball outlet after the passage of each ball.

7. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged and numbered aperture~ therein forming ball outlets, of a record strip for receiving the imprint or the score, means operated by the passage of a ball through an outlet for individually printing the score number of such outlet on the strip, and means operated by each individual printing means for closing the corresponding ball outlet.

8. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets,
of a ball receiver divided into three superimposed compartments, the upper ox which receives the balls from the outlets and the lower of which is provided with a ball discharge outlet, a coin controlled mechanism for releasing the balls from the intermediate receiver compartment to pass into the lower receiver compartment, a main lever, means operated by the main lever for releasing the balls from the upper compartment to pass into the intermediate compartment, and means for elevating the balls discharged from the lower receiver compartment to the playing area.

9. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination, with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a ball receiver divided into three superimposed compartments, the upper of which receives the balls from the outlets and the lower of which is provided with a ball discharge outlet, a coin controlled mechanism for releasing the balls from the intermediate receiver compartment to pass into the lower receiver compartment, a normally locked main lever releasable by the operation of the coin controlled mechanism, means operated by the main lever for releasing the balls from the upper compartment to pass into the intermediate compartment, and means for elevating the balls discharged from the lower receiver compartment to the playing area.

10. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a ball receiver divided into three compartments, the upper of which receives the balls from the outlets and the lower of which is provided with a ball outlet, a coin controlled mechanism, for releasing the balls from the intermediate receiver compartment to pass into the lower receiver compartment, a main lever, mechanism manually locking the main lever, mechanism actuated by the coin controlled mechanism for disengaging the main lever and re-engaged by the return stroke of the lever and simultaneously with the disengaging operation for releasing the balls from the upper compartment to pass into the intermediate compartment, and means for elevating the balls discharged from the lower compartment to the playing area.

11. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a ball receiver divided into three compartments, the upper of which receives the balls from the outlets and the lower of which is provided with a ball outlet, a coin controlled mechanism for releasing the balls from the intermediate receiver compartment to pass into the lower receiver compartment, a main lover, mechanism manually locking the main lever, mechanism actuated by the coin controlled mechanism for disengaging the main lever and re-engaged by the return stroke of the lever and simultaneously with the disengaging operation for releasing the balls from the upper compartment to pass into the intermediate compartment, means for elevating the balls discharged from the lower compartment to the playing area, means for locking the ball elevating means in the ball receiving position, means for releasing the elevating means by the operation of the coin controlled mechanism, and means for relocking the ball elevating means by the operation of the main lever.

12. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a ball receiver comprising a plurality of ball receiving chambers and having a discharge outlet at the bottom, a main lever, a rock shaft on which the main lever is mounted, means for normally locking the main lever and shaft in their normal position. a rocking rod, means for rocking the rod, means with which the rocking rod coacts and means with which the shaft coacts for releasing the balls in the receiver to pass to the receiver outlet, means with which the rocking rod coacts for releasing the lever lock, and means for elevating the balls from the receiver outlet to the playing area.

13. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a ball receiver comprising a plurality of ball receiving chambers and having a discharge outlet at the bottom, a main lever, a rock shaft on which the main lever is mounted, means for normally locking the main lever and shaft in their normal position, a rocking rod, means for rocking the rod, means with which the rocking rod coacts and means with which the shaft coacts for releasing the balls in the receiver to pass to the receiver outlet, means with which the rocking rod coacts for releasing the lever lock, means for elevating the balls from the receiver outlet to the playing area, and means coacting with the shaft for locking the elevating means.

14. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature golf course having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets, of a normally locked main lever, a ball receiver having a ball outlet at the bottom and comprising a plurality of superimposed ball receiving chambers, means for releasing the balls from the intermediate chamber to pass into the lowermost chamber, means for elevating the balls to the playing area as they pass from the outlet, a rocking rod, a radial arm at one end of the rod actuating the aforesaid ball releasing mechanism of the receiver, a radial arm at the other end of the rocking rod for actuating the main lever lock release, means for releasing the balls from the upper receiver chamber to pass into the intermediate chamber, and means operated by the main lever for actuating the last mentioned ball release.

15. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of which is provided with a ball outlet opposite the playing level, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, a chamber having an open front and extending between it the discharge outlet of the ball receiver and the ball outlet leading to the playing level, a manually operated lever pivotally mounted on the support und extending through the open front of the chamber, a ball receiving cup at the lower end of the lever having its open face registering with the receiver outlet when in the lower position and registering with the ball outlet leading to the playing level when in its upper position and moving closely adjacent to the wall of the chamber during its travel between the outlets.

16. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted receiver outlet when in the lower position and registering with the ball outlet leading to the playing level when in its upper position and moving closely adjacent to the wall of the chamber during its travel between the outlets on a suitable support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of which is provided with a ball outlet opposite the playing level, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, a chamber having an open front and extending between the discharge outlet of the ball receiver and the ball outlet leading to the playing level, a manually operated lever pivotally mounted in the support and extending through the open front of the chamber, a ball receiving cup at the lower end of the lever having open face registering with the receiver outlet when in the lower position and registering with the ball outlet leading to the playing level when in its upper position and moving closely adjacent to the wall of the chamber during its travel between the outlets, and a closure for the receiver outlet held in the open position by the weight of the cup and adapted to close the outlet as the cup rises to convey a ball to the opening leading to the playing level.

17. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of which is provided with a ball outlet opposite the playing level, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, a chamber having an open front and extending between the discharge outlet of the ball receiver and the ball outlet leading to the playing level, a manually operated lever pivotally mounted on the support and extending through the open front of the chamber, a ball receiving cup at the lower end of the lever having its open face registering with the receiver outlet when in the lower position and registering with the ball outlet leading to the playing level when in its upper position and moving closely adjacent to the wall of the I chamber during its travel between the outlets, and an upwardly spring pressed segment pivotally mounted at one side of lithe receiver outlet and held in the depressed position by the weight of the cup when bearing thereon.

18. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of which is provided with a ball outlet opposite the playing level, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, a chamber having an open front and extending between the discharge outlet of the ball receiver and the ball outlet leading to the playing level, a manually operated lever pivotally mounted on the support and extending through the open front of the chamber. a ball receiving cup at the lower end of the lever having its open face registering with the receiver outlet when in the lower position and registering with the ball outlet leading to the playing level when in its upper position and moving closely adjacent to the wall of the chamber during its travel between the outlets, a pivoted locking lever extending at one end over the cup lever, and means operated from the exterior of the device for swinging the locking lever to the disengaged position.

19. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable frame or like support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls, one of which is provided with a ball outlet leading to the playing level, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, means for lifting each ball discharged from the ball outlet of the receiver to the ball outlet of the side wall means for locking such mechanism in the hall receiving position, a main lever, means for locking the main lever in the normal position, manually operated mechanism for releasing the main lever lock and for simultaneously releasing the ball lifting mechanism, and means operated by the main lever for returning the ball lifting mechanism to the locking position.

20. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable frame or like support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of which is provided with a ball outlet leading to the playing area, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, means for lifting each ball discharged from the ball outlet of the receiver to the ball outlet of the side wall, a locking lever engaging the ball lifting mechanism, a main lever. means for locking the main lever in its normal position, a rocking rod, means at one end of the rod for engaging the lock of the ball lifting mechanism, means at the other end of the rod for engaging the main lever lock, means located exteriorly of the frame for rocking the rod, and means operated by the main lever for returning the lock of the ball lifting mechanism to the locking position.

21. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable frame or like support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of which is provided with a ball outlet leading to the playing area, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, means for lifting each ball discharged from the ball outlet of the receiver to the ball outlet of the sidewall, a locking lever engaging the ball lift mechanism, a main lever, means for locking the main lever in its normal position, a rocking rod, means at one end of the rod for engaging the lock of the ball lifting mechanism, means at the other end of the rod for engaging the main lever lock, means rendered operable by the insertion of a coin for rocking the rod, and means operated by the main lever for returning the locking lever of the ball lifting mechanism to the locking position.

22. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable frame or like support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of
which is provided with a ball outlet leading to the playing area, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, means for lifting each ball discharged from the ball outlet of the receiver to the ball
outlet of the side wall, a locking lever engaging the ball lifting mechanism and having an inturned end, a rocking rod having an upwardly inclined portion extending beneath the inturned end of the lever means for rocking the rod from adjacent the playing position, and means for re turning the
lever to the locking position.

23. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a miniature course mounted on a suitable frame or like support and having suitably arranged apertures forming ball outlets and side walls one of
which is provided with a ball outlet leading to the playing area, of a ball receiver having a laterally directed discharge outlet at the bottom, means for lifting each ball discharged from the ball outlet of the receiver to the ball
outlet of the side wall, a locking lever engaging the ball lifting mechanism, a main lever, means for locking the main lever in its normal position, a rocking rod, means at one end of the rod for engaging the lock of the ball lifting
mechanism, means at the other end of the rod for engaging
the main lever lock, means located exteriorly of the frame
for rocking the rod, and means operated by the main lever
for returning the lock of the ball lifting mechanism to the
locking position and comprising a rock shaft, a main lever
secured thereto, a longitudinally guided plunger rod, a
tension spring resisting the outward movement of the rod.
and means operated by the main lever for drawing the rod
longitudinally against the locking end of the ball lift
lever for forcing it into the locking position.

24. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a racking rod actuated from adjacent the playing position and a main lever, of a ball receiver comprising an oblong rectangular receptacle. the
bottom of which is inclined towards one end adjacent which a discharge orifice is located and having arc-shaped slots in its and walls connected by longitudinal slots in one of its side walls, a rod member extending through each pair of arc slots and pivoted to the inner side of the receptacle con-
centrically with the slots and extending longitudinally through the receptacle to divide it into an upper, intermediate and lower ball receiving chambers, means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the intermediate
chamber operated from the rocking rod, and means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the upper chamber operated from the main lever.

25. In a device for playing miniature golf and like games, the combination with a rocking rod actuated from adjacent the playing position and a main lever, of a ball receiver comprising an oblong rectangular receptacle, the bottom or which is inclined towards one end adjacent which a discharge orifice is located and having arc-shaped slots in its end walls connected by longitudinal slots in one of its
side walls, a rod member extending through each pair of arc slots and pivoted to the inner side of the receptacle concentrically with the slots and extending longitudinally through the receptacle to divide it into an upper, intermediate and lower ball receiving chambers, means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the intermediate chamber operated from the rocking rod, means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the upper chamber operated from the main lever, and a lock for the main lever released by the rocking of the rod as the balls in the intermediate chambers are released.

26. In a device for playing miniature golf and
like games, the combination with a rocking rod actuated from
adjacent the playing position and a main lever, of a ball
receiver comprising an oblong rectangular receptacle, the
bottom of which is inclined towards one end adjacent which
a discharge orifice is located and having arc-shaped slots
in its end walls connected by longitudinal slots in one of
its side walls, a rod member extending through each pair of
arc slots and pivoted to the inner side of the receptacle
concentrically with the slots and extending longitudinally
through the receptacle to divide it into an upper, intermediate and lower ball receiving chambers, means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the intermediate chamber comprising a spring held finger secured to the
pivotal portion of the rod forming the bottom of the intermediate chamber, and an arm extending from the rocking rod over the finger, and means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the upper chamber operated from the main lever.

27. In a device for playing miniature golf and
like games, the combination with a rocking rod actuated from
adjacent the playing position and a main lever, of a ball
receiver comprising an oblong rectangular receptacle, the
bottom of which is inclined towards one end adjacent which a
discharge orifice is located and having arc-shaped slots in
its end walls connected by longitudinal slots in one of its
side walls, a rod member extending through each pair of arc
slots and pivoted to the inner side of the receptacle concentrically with the slots and extending longitudinally through the receptacle to divide it into an upper, intermediate and lower ball receiving chambers, means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the intermediate chamber operated from the rocking rod, means for swinging the rod from beneath the balls in the upper chamber comprising a spring held finger secured to the pivotal portion of the rod forming the bottom, or the upper chamber, a pivotal lever engaging the ringer when swung to depress it, a trip lever, a link connecting the lower end or the trip lever with the finger engaging lever, a rock shaft on which the main lever is mounted, and a projection extending from the rock shaft to engage the upper end of the trip lever during the outward stroke of the main lever.

28. In a device of the class described, the combination with the main lever, a rock shaft on which the lever is mounted and a rockable rod extending parallel with the shaft, or a main lever lock comprising a hook catch carried to swing in unison with the main lever, a counter shaft, a coacting catch member secured to the counter shaft and engaging the hook catch to prevent the rocking of the rock shaft, a spring held finger also extending from and secured to the counter shaft, and an arm extending from the rockable rod into engagement with the lower face of the finger and adapted when rocked to swing the coacting catch out of engagement with the hook catch.

29. In a device or the class described, the combination with the main lever, a rock shaft on which the lever is mounted and a rockable rod extending parallel with the shaft, of a main lever lock comprising a hook catch carried
to swing in unison with the main lever, a counter shaft, a
coacting catch member secured to the counter shaft and
engaging the hook catch to prevent the rocking of the rock
shaft, a spring held finger also extending from and secured
to the counter shaft, an arm extending from the rockable rod
into engagement with the lower face of the finger and
adapted when rocked to swing the coaoting catch out of
engagement with the hook catch, and a stop for limiting the
return movement or the coacting catch and finger.

30. In a device of the class described, the combination with the main lever, a rock shaft on which the lever is mounted and a rockable rod extending parallel with the shaft, of a main lever lock comprising a hook catch carried to swing in unison with the main lever, a counter shaft, a coacting catch member secured to the counter shaft and engaging the hook catch to prevent the rocking of the rock shaft, a spring held finger also extending from and secured to the counter shaft, an arm extending from the rockable rod into engagement with the lower face of the finger and adapted when rocked to swing the coaoting catch out of engagement with the hook catch, and means for locking the coacting catch member in the disengaged position.

31. In a device of the class described, the combination with the main lever, a rock shaft on, which the lever is mounted and a rockable rod extending parallel with the shaft, of a main lever lock comprising a hook catch carried to swing in unison with the main lever, a counter shaft, a coacting catch member secured to the counter shaft and engaging the hook catch to prevent the rocking of the rock shaft, a spring held finger also extending from and secured to the counter shaft, an arm extending from the rockable rod into engagement with the lower race or the finger and adapted when rocked to swing the, coacting catch out of engagement with the hook catch, and means for releasing the coacting catch from its locked position operated by the outward swing of the main lever.

32. In a device of the class described, the combination with the main lever, a rock shaft on which the lever is mounted and a rockable rod extending parallel with the shaft, of a main lever lock comprising a hook catch carried to swing, in unison with the main lever, a counter shaft, a coacting catch member secured to the counter shaft and engaging the hook catch to prevent the rocking of the rock shaft a spring held finger also extending from and secured to the counter shaft, an arm extending from the rockable rod into engagement with the lower face of the finger and adapted when rocked to swing the coacting catch out of engagement with the hook catch, means for locking the coacting catch member in the disengaged position, such means comprising a supplemental finger carried by the counter shaft, a pivoted spring held lever having an inclined tongue at its lower end spring held against the aforesaid finger and against the end of which the supplemental finger is spring held when the coacting catch member is in the released position, and a projection extending from the rock shaft to engage the locking lever when the rock shaft is rocked to swing the lower end of the inclined tongue clear of the supplemental finger.