US2024851A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec, 17, 1935.

A. FROHNE 2,24,851

GAME APPARATUS Filed March 20, 1955 3- Sheets-Sheet 1 o u 3. m Q

Q a S h h n,

INVENTOR.

Albz'iz Frofzrze HIS ATTORNEYS i i i i Dec. 17, 1935. I A, FROHNE 2,024,851

GAME APPARATUS & INVENTOR.

Hohne ///5 ATTORNEYS A. FROHNE GAME APPARATUS Dec. 17, 1935.

- Filed March 20, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl -zs INVENTOR. Amm Fro 72/249 BY 7% M 5' ATTORNEYJ Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME APPARATUS Albin Frohne, Chicago, 111., assignor to Rock-01a Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Illinois 13' Claims.

This invention relates to a game apparatus.

It is an object. of this invention to provide an improved game apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and efficient in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ball-playing surface. having a ball exit opening or pocket there in; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so. that they may enter into said ball exit opening; a ball projecting device mounted for vertical movement in said cabinet and normally disposed in ineiiective position at a level below said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball exit opening or pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal ineffective position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same.

A further object of the. invention is to provide in the new game apparatus. means including a device actuated by a played ball entering an exit opening or pocket in the playing surface for moving the ball-projecting device laterally over the ball-playing surface in a: plane. substantially parallel' thereto so as to aim the ball-projecting device at any one. of a row of ball exit openings or other targets provided in or upon the playing surface.

An additional object of the invention is to provide in the new game apparatus means including a device actuated by a ball entering one of the exit openings or pockets on the playing surface for actuating the ball-projecting device after the same has been swung laterally into position. to project a ball at one. of the. ball exit openings or target in or upon the playing surface.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means including a device actuated by a spent or played bail for causing the gun turret unit or ball-projecting device embodied in the new apparatus tov drop or disappear below the playing surface if the ball projected therefrom engages one of the targets which are arranged in or upon the playing surface.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in whicn:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of the new game apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. vertical sectional detail view of the gun turret unitv or ball-proj ecting device embodied in the apparatus, taken on line 33 in Fig. 2; and showing the said gun turret in raised position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan View, on line 44 in Fig. 2, of a system of ball runways embodied in the new apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, on line 5-5 in Fig. 2, of another system of ball runways embodied in the new apparatus;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, on

line 6-6 in Fig. 3, of the ball-projecting device or gun turret unit;

Fig. '7 is av sectional view on line 7-1 in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line. 8B- in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective detail view of the system of ball return runways shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. II is a diagrammatic view of the wiring diagram or electromagnetic circuit embodied in the new game apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the new game apparatus is shown in the drawings, is therein generally indicated at I5, and comprises a cabinet [0 which includes an inclined playing board or ball playing surface IT having ball exit openings or pockets l8 and 21 formed therein (Fig. 1).

The upper or playing surface of the inclined playing board I! is divided, by a rail or wall 85, which extends transversely across the inclined playing board ll, relative to the long axis of the same, into an upper ball playing area 25 and a lower ball playing area 26 (Fig. 1) the ball exit openings 2! being formed in the inclined playing board I! within the lower playing area 26 thereof, and forming targets at which a ball may be projected by means, and in a. manner, presently to be described.

Leading onto the upper playing area 25 of the inclined playing board I! is a ball runway or ramp l9 and arranged in the lower'end portion of this ramp or runway I 9 is a ball-propelling device or plunger 20 by means of which balls may be propelled, one at atime, onto the upper playing area 2.5 of the inclined playing board I! so that they may gravitate thereover and enter into the ball exit openings i8.

Arranged below the inclined. playing board I1 is an inclined floor 2| and arranged upon this inclined floor 2| is. a system of ball return run- Ways 22 which converge, at their lowers, into I a common runway 23 (Fig. 4), by means of which spent or played balls which pass through the r 1 frame 36.

exit openings |B may be conducted back to a point adjacent the elevating" device indicated. at 83 (Fig. 1). Arranged inthe radially outer end portion of each of the ball return runways 22, (as seen in Fig. 4) is a contact or circuit-closing device 24 and also. arranged in each ball return runway 22 are one or more contacts or circuitclosing devices 11, While arranged in the common runway 23 is a contact or circuit-closing device 18 (Fig. 4).

Formed in the inclined playing board I! is a cut-out opening 28 (Fig. 6) and movableinto and out of this opening 28 is a housing 29 which forms part of a disappearing gun turret unit or ballprojecting device, which is generally indicated at 3|). 7

' (Fig. 6) and arranged in the housing 29 behind the gun barrel 3| is a solenoid 32 which includes a movable element or ball-projecting member 33 (Fig. 6); this ball-projecting member 33 being normally urged into its initial or 'inefiective portion (as in Fig. 6) by means of a resetting spring 34 arranged thereon.

The housing 29, gun barrel 3|, and ball-reprojecting member 32-33 of the gun turret unit or ball-projecting device are mounted upon the upper end of a vertical elevator shaft or rod 35 which is slidably mounted in a supporting frame or guideway 36 which is arranged in the cabinet l6'below the inclined playing board |'I therein.

Mounted on the supporting frame or guide 36 is a solenoid 3'! which includes a movable element '38 and pivotally connected to this member 38, as at 39, is an arm 49. This arm 40 is pivotally con- 7 nected at its lower end, as at 4|, to a member 42 which in turn, is pivotally mounted between its ends, as at 43, upon an arm 44 of the supporting This member 42 is operatively connected, by means of-a pin and slot connection 86-43! (Fig. 6) to the vertical elevator shaft or rod 35. r

Mounted in the cabinet l6 below the inclined playing boar-d H, and at a point adjacent the solenoid 31, is a two-way circuit-closing switch 45 which includes two spaced and relatively stationary contacts 46 and a movable contact 7 41 arranged therebetween; this movable contact 41 being engageable by an extension or arm 48 of the member 42.

The ball exit openings 21 in the lower playing area 26 of the inclined playing board I! constitute,

V in eifect, targets at which a ball or missile 49 may igetsZ'l. Formed in the casting'50 at the lower 'edge thereof is a transverse ball-bearing trough 52 and leading from the ball-receiving trough '52 into the barrel 3| of the gun turret or ball projecting device 30 is a ball runway 53 (Figs. 5 and 9) Likewise formedintegrally with the casting 5 6 are two ball runways 54 (Figs. 5 and 9) and leading into these runways 54 are runways 56, each of the runways 56 having communication at its The disappearing gun turret unit or ball-proupper end with a ball exit opening 55, these ball exit openings being formed in the incline-d playing board l1 within the lower playing area 26 thereof and at the lower end of the latter.

Mounted upon the elevator shaft 35 is a collar or latch keeper 5! and engageable under this latch keeper 5'! (Figs. 6 and 8) so as to hold the elevator shaft 35 and gun turret unit or ball-projecting device 2930, etc., in a raise-d or elevated position is a latch arm 58, this latch member 53 being slidably mounted in a guide 59 which is attached to the supporting frame 36. This latch arm 58 is formed as a part of the movable element 66 of a solenoid 6| and is normally urged into latching engagement with the keeper 537 by means of a spring 62 which is arranged on the member 69 (Fig. 6). 7

Mounted on the elevator shaft 35, below the latch keeper 51, is a member 63 which has a serrated upper edge portion 64 (Figs. 3, 6 and 7) and engageable with this serrated edge portion 64 is a latch arm 65 which is carried by, and depends from, the slidable element 69 of the solenoid 6|.

Likewise mounted upon the central elevator shaft 35, at a point below the latch plate 63--64, is a movable magnetically attractable arm 66 which is adapted to be attracted selectively and successively by the cores 6'! of a group of electromagnets 69 which are arranged upon a supporting plate 68, the supporting plate 68 being formed I as'a part of the supporting frame 36. r

The housing '29 of the disappearing gun turre or ball-projecting device 39 has a skirt l9 and carried by the housing 29 at the bottom of the latter is a laterally projecting pin 82 (Figs. 3 and 6 which is engageable) selectively with either of two corresponding cam edges H which are formed on a casting 12 which is suspended from the inclined playing board I! below the latter (Figs. 3 and 6) these cam' edges ll meeting in a vertical slot 13 which is formed in the member 12.

The new game apparatus includes a plurality of associated electromagnetic circuits H-JS-Bfl and 84 which are shown, diagrammatically, in Fig. 11, and common to all of these circuits 14-49-450 and 84 is a suitable source of electric current, such as a battery of dry cells 15, which are arranged in the cabinet I6.

Arranged in each of the ball return runways 5| and 54 is a movable contact or circuit-closing member 16 (Fig. 5) and these contacts are adapted to close circuit selectively to the electromagnetic latch-releasing device 60-6|, in a manner presently to be described.

Operation In playing the present game apparatus two sets of balls are used, that is, one set of balls is used in conjunction with the playing area 2 5 and the ball exit openings or pockets i8 therein and another ball 49 which is independent of the balls used in conjunction with the playing area 25 and pockets I8, used in conjunction with the playing area 26, pockets 21, and muzzle 3|, this last-mentioned ball 49 being arranged upon the playing area 26 of the inclined board I1, and under the glass top of the. cabinet, (Fig. 2) when the apparatus is assembled.

The disappearing gun turret unit or ball projecting device 36 is normallydisposed in a lowered'position (as in dotted lines, Fig. 6) with the bottom of the housing 29 resting upon the horizontal wall 18 cf the supporting frame 36.

- close the elevator circuit 19.

When a played ball, propelled up the ramp l9 onto the upper playing area 25 of the inclined playing board enters into one of the ball exit openings 8, it drops into a corresponding one of the inclined ball return runways 22 and the contact 24 disposed therein, (Fig.4), each of the contacts 24 being arranged directly below a corresponding one of the exit openings |8. 'Iihis engagement of a played ball passing through an exit opening H! with a corresponding contact 24 closes the elevator circuit 19 (Fig. 11) to the electromagnetic device or solenoid 31, thereby lowering the members 39 and 40 and pivoting the arm 42 (from dotted to full line position, Fig. 6). This movement of the member 42 raises the elevator shaft 35 and the gun turret unit or ball-projecting device 39 up into ball-projecting or effective position, as in full lines, Fig. 6.

Normally the two-way switch 45 is disposed in a position, as in dotted lines, Figs. 6 and 11, to However, when this elevator circuit 19 is closed by theengagement of a played ball with one of the contacts 24, and the solenoid 3! is actuated, the movable element 41 of the two-way switch 45 is moved into full line position, Figs. 6 and 11, thereby opening the elevator circuit 19 so that any subsequently played ball entering a ball exit opening I8 and engaging a corresponding contact 24 will be ineffective in so far as the elevator circuit 19 and the elevating device 3'|-3839-40-42--86- 81-35-3|l for the gun turret unit or projecting device 39 are concerned.

However, as the played ball passes over the contact 24, down the corresponding runway 22, it successively engages the contacts 11 in the corresponding runway 22, it being noted that there are two groups of the runways 22 and contacts 11 (Fig. 4), these groups of contacts 11 being designated A and B, and are arranged at opposite sides of the center lines, as seen looking from bottom to top in Fig. 4, and from left to right in Fig. 7.

This successive engagement of a played ball, traveling down one of the runways 22,, with the contacts 11 therein, successively closes the several circuits 84 (Fig. 11) to the electromagnets 69 which are arranged in the corresponding group A or B of the same, whereupon the magnetically attractable arm 66 is attracted, either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 7, depending upon in which group of contacts A or B the contacts 11 over which the actuating ball travels happen to be. This attraction of the magnetically attractable arm 66 by the electromagnets 69 moves the elevator shaft 35 and the gun turret unit or ball projecting device 39 carried thereby either in a clockwise direction, or in a counterclockwise direction, as the case may be, as seen in Fig. 1, thereby aiming the barrel 3| of the gun turret unit or ball projecting device 39 at a corresponding one of the ball exit openings or targets 21 in the lower playing area 25 of the inclined playing board 21.

After the played ball passes down one of the runways 22 and over the contacts 24 and '11 therein it enters into the common runway 23 (Fig. 4), and in so doing passes over the contact 18 therein (Fig. 4), thereby closing the circuit 83 to the electromagnet 32, whereupon the movable element or ball projector 33 of the solenoid 32 is moved (left to right, Fig. 6), thereby projecting the ball 49 out of the barrel 3| of the housing 29 onto the lower area 26 of the inclined corresponding runway and thus close circuit to the electromagnet 6|, thereby retracting the latch arm 58-69 (from right to left, Fig. 6) out of latching engagement with the collar or latch keeper 51, whereupon the gun turret unit or projecting device 39 and its elevator shaft 35 will drop by gravity (into dotted line position, Fig. 6) into inefiective position below the inclined playing board thereby simulating the movement of a disappearing gun turret.

If the barrel 3| of the projecting device 30 happens to be aimed at an angle relative to the longitudinal center line of the playing board H (as seen in Fig. 1), when the latching device Bil-6| is released from latching engagement with the latch keeper or collar 51, and the elevator 25 shaft 35 and ball-projecting device 39 commence to drop, the pin 82 carried by the housing 29 will ride over the corresponding cam edge ll (Fig. 3) and will thereby pivot or rotate the projecting unit about the vertical axis of its supporting shaft into a position wherein the long axis of the barrel 3| is parallel to and coincidental with the long axis of the playing board IT as in Fig. 1.

If the ball 49 projected out of the barrel 3| fails to enter into one of the ball exit openings 21 it will gravitate over the lower playing area 26 of the inclined playing board into one of the ball exit openings 55 and will pass through the latter into the corresponding runway 54 from which it will gravitate into the trough 50 and thence into the runway 53 (Fig. 5), whereupon it Will engage the depending skirt 10 of the housing 29 and will be prevented thereby from entering into the housing 29, by way of the inlet 8| thereto, and will thus be held against entering into the housing 29 and gun barrel 3| until the housing 29 is lowered to register the inlet opening 8| thereinto with the runway 53, whereupon the ball stopped in the runway 53 will travel through the inlet 8| into the barrel 3| of the ball-projecting device 3|); it being noted that as the thus played ball 49 travels through one of the runways 54 it closes the corresponding switch 16 therein, and thus actuates the solenoid 606|, (Fig. 11), thereby withdrawing the latch arm 58 out of latching engagement with the collar 51, whereupon the shaft 35 and the projecting unit 30 carried thereby will drop by gravity, thus registering the inlet with the runway 53, whereupon the ball 49 will travel through the inlet 8| into the muzzle 3|.

As the elevator shaft 35 and the ball-projecting unit 30 carried thereby drop by gravity, the member 42 is pivoted from full to dotted line position (Fig. 6), whereupon the arm 48 of the member 42 pivots the two-way switch 45 into dotted line position (Fig. 6), thereby arranging the elevator circuit 19 in a position to be closed by the engagement of a played ball with one of the contacts 24 (Fig. 11).

As the ball projecting device 39 is pivoted about the vertical axis of the shaft 35 by engagement of a played ball with the contacts 11 and the consequent closing of the circuits 84 to the elec- 'tromagnets 69, the arm 65 rides over the serrated edge 64 of the member 63 and this engagement of the arm 65 with the serrated edge 64 of member 63 prevents the ball-projecting device 30 from moving about its vertical axis during the operation of the ball-projecting member 32-33. While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification, without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to-be limited to the precise details of construction set forth but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. 7

1. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface havinga ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device mounted for vertical movement in said cabinet and normally disposed in ineffective position at a level below said playing surface; and means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ballprojecting device from its normal ineffective position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; a ball projecting device mounted for vertical movement in said cabinet and normally disposed at a preselected level relative to said playing surface; and means including a device actuated' by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for moving said ball-projecting device from one level to another in said cabinet relative to said playing surface.

"3. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein, means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device mounted for vertical movement in said cabinet and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; and means including a device likewise actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting deviceso as to project a ball therefrom over said playing surface.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; a ball projecting device mounted for vertical movement in said cabinet and normally disposed at a preselected level relative to said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for moving said ball-projecting device from one level to another relative to said playing surface; and means including a device likewise actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting device so as to project a ball therefrom over said playing surface.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ball-playing surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto saidplaying surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projectingdevice mounted for both vertical and. horizontal movement in said cabinet and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; and means including a device likewise actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for pivoting said ball-projecting device about its vertical axis over said playing surface after the said ball-projecting device has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ball-playing surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; a ball projecting device mounted for both vertical and horizontal movement in said cabinet and normally disposed at a preselected level relative to said playing surface; means including a device actuated by aball entering said ball receiving pocket for moving said ball-projecting device from one level to another in said cabinet relative to the said playing surface; and means including a device likewise actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for pivoting said ball-projecting device about its vertical axis after the said ballprojecting device has been moved from one level to another relative to said playing surface.

'7. In a game apparatus, the combination of: cabinet including a member providing a ball-playing surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device movably mounted in said cabinet and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; and means likewise including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting device so as to project a ball therefrom over said playing surface. 8. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; a ball projecting device mounted for both vertical and horizontal movement in said cabinet and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; and means likewise including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for swinging said ball-projecting device over said playing surface in ,a plane substantially parallel to the latter after the said ball-projecting device has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device movably mounted in said cabinet for both vertical and horizontal movement and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface;

means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; means likewise including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for swinging said ball-projecting device over said playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to the latter after the said ball-projecting device has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface; and means also including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting device, after the same has been swung over said playing surface, so as to project a ball therefrom over said playing surface.

10. In a game apparatus, the combination of a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device movably mounted in said cabinet and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; a target upon said playing surface; means likewise including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting device, after the same has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface, so as to project a ball therefrom over said playing surface toward said target; means for latching said ball-projecting device in raised position; and means including a device actuated by a ball engaging said target for releasing said latching means from latching engagement with said ball-projecting device so as to enable the latter to drop by gravity back into its normal position below said playing surface.

11. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device movably mounted in said cabinet for both vertical and horizontal movement and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; a target upon said playing surface; and means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for swinging said ball-projecting device over said playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to the latter, after the said ball-projecting device has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface, so as to aim said ball-projecting device at said target.

12. In a game apparatus, the. combination of 5 a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device movably mounted in said cabinet for both vertical and horizontal movement and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; a target upon said playing surface; means including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for swinging said ball-projecting device over said playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to the latter, after the said ball-projecting device has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface, so as to aim the same at said target; and means likewise including an electromagnetic device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting device so as to project a ball therefrom at said target.

13. In a game apparatus, the combination of: a cabinet including a member providing a ballplaying surface having a ball receiving pocket therein; means for propelling balls one at a time onto said playing surface so that they may enter 3:! into said ball receiving pocket; a ball projecting device movably mounted in said cabinet for both vertical and horizontal movement and normally disposed at a level below said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for elevating said ball-projecting device from its normal position at a level below the said playing surface up to the level of the same; a target upon said playing surface; means including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for swinging said ball-projecting device over said playing surface in a plane substantially parallel to the latter, after the said ball-projecting device has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface, so as to aim the same at said target; means also including a device actuated by a ball entering said ball receiving pocket for actuating said ball-projecting device, after the latter has been elevated up to the level of said playing surface, so as to project a ball therefrom at said target; means for latching said ball-projecting device in raised position; and means including a device actuated by a ball engaging said target for releasing said latching means from latching en- 00 gagement with said ball projecting device so as to enable the latter to drop by gravity back into its normal position below said playing surface. ALBIN FROHNE.

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