GAME BOARD MECHANISM

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices implement game units that have reduced power consumption. Game units include housings and game boards coupled to the housings and configured to receive and hold a plurality of game pieces. The game units further include insert assemblies coupled to the housings and configured to receive payment from a user. The game units also include gating devices coupled to the game boards and configured to hold game pieces in the game boards when in a first position, and further configured to release game pieces from the game boards when in a second position. The game units also include mechanical devices configured to return the gating device to the first position from the second position after a designated period of time, and catches configured to receive game pieces from the game board through the gating device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to mechanical entertainment units, and more specifically, to mechanical features of an entertainment unit for playing a game.

BACKGROUND

Some game units may be capable of being used in public and private spaces. Such game units may be utilized by a variety of users in the context of a variety of different environments. For example, a game unit may be mounted in a particular area or wall of an establishment, and may be used to provide entertainment for patrons of the establishment. However, such game units implemented in public spaces typically utilize electrical power in order to operate. Accordingly, such game units utilize electrical power to operate various internal components, and provide the user with a gaming experience in a satisfactory manner. Such game units typically require a power source be provided to the game unit, thus increasing the power consumption of the game unit as a whole, and complicating initial setup of the game unit and relocation of the game unit. Such game units remain limited in their ability to reduce power consumption while still providing the user with a satisfactory gaming experience.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices implement game units that have reduced power consumption. Game units include housings and game boards coupled to the housings and configured to receive and hold a plurality of game pieces. The game units further include insert assemblies coupled to the housings and configured to receive payment from a user. The game units also include gating devices coupled to the game boards and configured to hold game pieces in the game boards when in a first position, and further configured to release game pieces from the game boards when in a second position. The game units also include mechanical devices configured to return the gating device to the first position from the second position after a designated period of time, and catches configured to receive game pieces from the game board through the gating device.

In various embodiments, the game unit further comprise a pivot, a first linkage bar coupled between the insert assembly and the pivot, and a second linkage bar coupled between the gating device and the pivot. In various embodiments, the insert assembly is further configured to receive a force from the user, the first linkage bar is configured to transfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and the transferring of the at least some of the force to the pivot causes the mechanical device to compress and store mechanical energy, and also causes the second linkage bar to pull on the gating device. According to various embodiments, the mechanical device is a spring configured to return to a resting position after the designated period of time. In some embodiments, the spring is a gas spring.

In various embodiments, the designated period of time is determined based on an amount of time taken by a column of game pieces to fall from the game board to the catch. According to various embodiments, the housing is configured to be mounted on a wall. In some embodiments, the payment is a plurality of coins. In various embodiments, the game board includes a plurality of columns configured to hold game pieces, and each of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of perforations configured to enable visibility of the held game pieces.

According to various embodiments, a game unit comprises a housing, a game board coupled to the housing, an insert assembly coupled to the housing, and a gating device coupled to the game board and configured to be closed in a first position, and further configured to be open in a second position. Game units further include a mechanical device configured to return the gating device to the first position from the second position after a designated period of time, a pivot included in the housing, the pivot comprising a rotation point and a plurality of attachment points, and a first linkage bar coupled between the insert assembly and one of the plurality of attachment points of the pivot. Game units also include a second linkage bar coupled between the gating device and one of the plurality of attachment points of the pivot, and a catch configured to receive game pieces from the game board through the gating device.

In some embodiments, the insert assembly is further configured to receive a force from a user, the first linkage bar is configured to transfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and the transferring of the at least some of the force to the pivot causes the mechanical device to compress and store mechanical energy, and also causes the second linkage bar to pull on the gating device. In various embodiments, the mechanical device is a gas spring configured to return to a resting position after the designated period of time. According to various embodiments, the gas spring is configurable such that the designated period of time at which the gating device closes is adjustable. In some embodiments, the game board includes a plurality of columns configured to receive and hold game pieces, and wherein each of the plurality of columns includes a plurality of perforations configured to enable visibility of the held game pieces.

In various embodiments, methods include receiving a payment and a force at an insert assembly of a game unit, the game unit comprising a game board capable of receiving and holding game pieces. Methods further include transferring at least some of the force to a mechanical device capable of storing mechanical energy, transferring at least some of the force to a gating device, transitioning the gating device from a closed state to an open state in response to the transferring, and transitioning the gating device from the open state to the closed stated after a designated period of time.

According to various embodiments, the transferring of the at least some of the force to the mechanical device further includes transferring the force from the insert assembly to a pivot via a first linkage bar, and transferring at least some of the force from the pivot to the mechanical device. In some embodiments, the transferring of the at least some of the force to the gating device further includes transferring at least some of the force from the pivot to the mechanical device via a second linkage bar. In various embodiments, the mechanical device is a gas spring capable of returning to a resting position after the designated period of time. According to various embodiments, the transitioning of the gating device from the open state to the closed state after the designated period of time includes decompressing the mechanical device to release the stored mechanical energy. In some embodiments, receiving the payment further includes receiving a designated number of coins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates yet another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2C illustrates an additional diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for using a game unit, implemented in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presented concepts. The presented concepts may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process operations have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure the described concepts. While some concepts will be described in conjunction with the specific examples, it will be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

Many game units require electrical power to be played in public and private spaces. Accordingly, such game units remain limited because they require a power source in order to function. Other game units that do not require electrical power often have issues with mechanical implementations that make game play impracticable, clumsy, or diminish from entertainment value. Accordingly, conventional game units are limited in their ability to be used in a variety of environmental contexts, both public and private, without the use of electrical power and in a manner that provides a good user experience.

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices that provide game units that have reduced power consumption. In various embodiments, game units do not require power, and are configured to repeatedly implement gaming sessions with no electrical power consumption. As will be discussed in greater detail below, game units may be configured to implement a game similar to Connect 4. Accordingly, game units may include game boards that hold various game pieces, and a gating device may be used to release the game pieces when a new gaming session is to be implemented. As will be discussed in greater detail below, internal components of the game units, which may be mechanical devices such as gas springs used to store mechanical energy, may control, at least in part, the operation of such gating devices thus enabling the initiation of a new gaming session with no electrical power consumption.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, a game unit, such as game unit 100, is configured to implement a game such as Connect 4. Accordingly, game unit 100 includes a housing, such as housing 105, and is configured to include game board 101 that has a plurality of rows and columns configured to receive game pieces, such as game piece 102, and the columns may have perforations through which game pieces are visible. Thus, a user of game unit 100 may place game pieces into slots at the top of the columns, such as slot 104, and the game pieces may fall into a resting position within its respective column.

In one example, game unit 100 is played by two players. Each player has n number of discs or game pieces, for example 21, all of one color. The goal of the game is for one player to get x number of discs adjacent to each other, such as four consecutive discs in a column, row, or straight diagonal configuration. Discs are dropped in a slot at the top of each column. For example, there may be seven columns. Players alternate turns by dropping discs into each column with the goal of getting x number of that player's discs in a straight configuration. Once a player wins or there is a draw (neither player is able to get n number in a straight configuration before all the discs are played, i.e., dropped), the game is over and the used discs stay inside the game unit thereby visible on the game board. Any unused discs can be returned to holders, such as holder 107, on the side of game unit 100, or may be placed in catch 106. The played discs are released from game unit 100 when a new player provides payment by, for example, inserting coins. Such payment may cause the release of the game pieces into catch 106 which can then be used to play a new game.

In some embodiments, game unit 100 includes a gating device at the bottom of the columns that is configured to hold the game pieces in the columns during play, and is further configured to release the game pieces at the end of play once the game is over. Additional details of the gating device will be discussed in greater detail below. Game unit 100 further includes catch 106 which is configured to catch game pieces that have been released from game board 101. When not in use, game pieces may be stored in one or more holders, such as holder 107.

In various embodiments, game unit 100 includes insert assembly 108 which is configured to receive a form of payment, such as coins, that are used to provide payment and activate game unit 100. Thus, according to various embodiments, insert assembly 108 may be include a slot used to receive coins, and may also include a push mechanism, such as a button, that may be used to receive a mechanical force from a user once payment has been made. In some embodiments, insert assembly 108 is configured as a bill acceptor that is configured to accept paper money, such as one dollar bills and five dollar bills. In various embodiments, game unit 100 may be configured to be mounted on a wall. In such embodiments, game unit 100 may be a large sized game unit. For example, game unit 100 may be about 60 inches wide by 50 inches tall. In some embodiments, game unit 100 is configured to be a portable unit that is not mounted on a wall, but may be coupled to a stand for desktop gaming.

FIG. 2A illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, FIG. 2A provides another view of game unit 100 described above. As also noted above, dimensions of game unit 100 may be configured in a variety of embodiments. In one embodiment, game unit 100 is five feet wide by four feet tall. In this example, game unit 100 is configured as a relatively large wall unit that is configured to be mounted to a wall of an establishment.

FIG. 2B illustrates yet another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, FIG. 2B shows a front view of game unit 100 as described above, and as discussed above, game unit 100 may include game board 101, catch 106, holder 107, and insert assembly 108. As also noted above, game pieces, such as game piece 102 may be used with game unit 100. It will be appreciated that while one implementation of game unit 100 is shown, various different configurations are contemplated herein. For example, while two holders are shown on each side of game unit 100, various different numbers of holders may be used such as one on each side, or three on each side. Moreover, the number of holders on each side need not be symmetric. For example, game unit 100 may include one holder on a first side, and three holders on a second side.

FIG. 2C illustrates an additional diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, FIG. 2C provides a side view of game unit 100, and provides an additional view of holders, such as holder 107. In this example, the dimensions of game unit are configured such that holders of game unit 100, such as holder 107, are configured as indentations on the sides of game unit 100 that are large enough to be used as shelves. Accordingly, one or more of the indentations, such as holder 107, may be configured to receive and hold items, such as glasses and/or plates that may be used by users while utilizing game unit 100. As noted above, such holders may also be configured to hold game pieces. Moreover, such holders may be color coded to have a color that corresponds to the different colors of the game pieces.

FIG. 3 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates an interior of game unit 100 from a rear perspective. Accordingly, as will be discussed in greater detail below, FIG. 3 provides additional details regarding the interior components of game unit 100 that enable the release of the game pieces in a suitable manner such that operation of the game unit uses mechanical means without electrical power.

As noted above, game unit 100 may include insert assembly 108 which may be configured to receive a form of payment, such as coins. Accordingly, insert assembly 108 may be used by a player to insert coins to begin game play. In other embodiments, other means can be used to initiate game play, more specifically, to release pieces from the game board. Bills can be inserted or other means can be used in other configurations of game unit 100. In various embodiments, game unit 100 may further include receptacle 302. In one example, receptacle 302 is a coin box that is configured to receive coins from insert assembly 108. Accordingly, coins may be placed in one or more slots of insert assembly 108, and the coins may be pushed inward into game unit 100. The coins may drop down a gap once they pass a tolerance point into receptacle 302. In various embodiments, a push mechanism of insert assembly 108 causes first linkage bar 304 to move in a first direction. By moving the first linkage bar 304 in the first direction, pivot 306 is activated, and a first side of pivot 306 is moved in a first direction, which may be downwards. The first side of pivot 306 that moves downwards may activate mechanical device 308. Accordingly, pivot 306 may have a rotation point at which it is rotatably coupled to housing 105 and/or a back of game board 101, and may have multiple attached points to couple to other components, such as linkage bars 304 and 310 as well as mechanical device 308. In various embodiments, mechanical device 308 is an elastic device, such as a gas spring. In some embodiments, the gas spring is a mechanical device that uses compressed gas included in an enclosed cylinder coupled to a sliding piston to store potential energy when compressed responsive to receiving a force, and release such stored potential energy when the force is released.

As shown in FIG. 3, mechanical device 308 is normally in an extended position that may be a resting position. When the first side of pivot 306 goes down, the gas spring is activated, as may be the case when it is compressed. At this time, the second side of pivot 306 goes up. The second side of pivot 306 is coupled to second linkage bar 310, and in this example, the second side of pivot 306 pulls second linkage bar 310 up. In various embodiments, second linkage bar 310 is a vertical linkage bar that is coupled to gating device 312, which may be gate configured selectively retain or release game pieces from game board 101. Accordingly, when in a closed state, gating device 312 keeps the discs from falling into catch 106. When in an open state, gating device 312 allows the discs to fall into catch 106.

As discussed above, where mechanical device 308 is configured as a gas spring, the gas spring is activated, and then may return to its normally extended, resting position. When it is activated, second linkage bar 310 is pulled up and the gating device 312 is opened. This releases game pieces discs from each of the columns of game board 101 into catch 106. According to some embodiments, a designated amount of time is used to allow for a full column of game pieces to fall into catch 106. For example, the designated amount of time may be two seconds. When mechanical device 308 is activated, gating device 312 is opened and the game pieces fall. Mechanical device 308 then returns to its normally extended position. When returning from the activated position to the normal resting position, gating device 312 may experience a constant but slow closing of the arm. More specifically, gating device 312 does not snap shut after opening, but slowly closes in a manner consistent with properties of mechanical device 308.

Where mechanical device 308 is configured as a gas spring, properties of the gas spring may be configured to implement the delayed closing over the designated amount of time. For example, various aspects of mechanical device 308 may be configurable to implement such a designated amount of time. In one example, a push-in force may be adjustable via a local knob included on the gas spring. In another example, a length of the piston rod or cylinder may be changed via one or more telescoping mechanisms. Furthermore, a spring constant of mechanical device 308 may be configured such that gating device 312 closes after a designated amount of time has passed, and all game pieces have fallen out of game board 101.

In various embodiments, a secure, tamper-proof counter, such as counter 320 is attached to first linkage bar 304, and counter 320 is configured to keeps track of the number of times insert assembly 108 and receptacle 302 receive the required number of coins for activating game play. Accordingly, counter 320 may be configured to count each coin received and determine when an appropriate number of coins has been received for game play based on the comparison of the count with a predetermined number. Moreover, counter 320 may be configured to also count a number of times the predetermined number has been met and how many times gameplay has been initiated.

While various embodiments are described herein as not using electrical power, in some embodiments, game unit 100 may be configured to include electrical components, such as an electrical counter or other electrical components, if electrical operation is desired. For example, an electro servo motor can be used to open and close gating device 312, and can be made to operate slowly to allow time for the discs to fall into catch 106. In various embodiments, components of insert assembly 108, such as a bill acceptor and/or card swipe, may signal the servo to open/close gating device 312. In some embodiments, such a servo motor may be used instead of pivot 306 and mechanical device 308, and could be used in combination with a mechanical coin insert. In this way, a combination of mechanical and electrical components may be used to implement some electrical functionalities while reducing an overall power consumption of game unit 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates additional details of a gating device, such as gating device 312 discussed above, as viewed along a cross-section taken along line F of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, gating device 312 is coupled to second linkage bar 310 at joint 402. When pulled, second linkage bar 310 causes movement of pins, such as pin 404, within gating device 312 that are used to hold game pieces in columns of game board 101. In one example, joint 402 is linkage that transfers vertical motion of second linkage bar 310 to lateral motion of pins in gating device 312, thus sliding the pins out of the way of the game pieces in the columns of game board 101. When second linkage bar 310 returns to a resting position, gating device 312 may also return to a resting position which may be a closed position. As noted above, the return to a resting position may be facilitated by mechanical device 308, and in a manner determined by characteristics of mechanical device 308, such as a spring constant or other aspects of a gas spring.

FIG. 5 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, when game pieces are released from their columns in a game board, they fall into catch 106. Accordingly, FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of a cross section of catch 106. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates how catch 106 may have an angled rest, such as rest 502, for game pieces, and may also have a door or lid, such as door 504, which may provide a front surface of an enclosure for catch 106. In some embodiments, door 504 may be made of a transparent material, such as plastic or plexiglass. Additional details of catch 106 are discussed below with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, when game pieces are released from their columns in a game board, they fall into catch 106. As shown in FIG. 6, the game pieces may rest in catch 106 on rest 502 at an angle and, as such, they are presented to users in an aesthetically pleasing way, so as to make it more visually appealing to play, and also providing easier and more efficient access to the game pieces that are stacked and easily accessible. In various embodiments, a distance between the game pieces in the game board is reduced so that less time is needed for the discs to fall.

As further shown in FIG. 6, various dividers, such as divider 602, may be included between portions of catch 106 corresponding to each of the columns. In this way, game pieces that fall out of each column may be kept separate. In various embodiments, such dividers are optionally included. For example, such dividers might not be included, and all columns may empty into a common area of catch 106. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, a door may be coupled to a game unit via coupler 604 which may be a hinge. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the door may swing upwards via coupler 604, thus providing access to the game pieces resting in catch 106 on rest 502.

FIG. 7 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit, configured in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, when game pieces are released from their columns in a game board, they fall into catch 106. Accordingly, FIG. 7 provides an additional side view of the implementation of catch 106 including dividers, such as divider 602.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for using a game unit, implemented in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, the operation of such game units may be implemented with minimal to no electrical power consumption. As will be described in greater detail below, mechanical devices that store mechanical energy may be used to implement such a reduction in electrical power consumption.

Method 800 may commence with operation 802 during which the game unit may be in an initial state. In this initial state, the game board of the game unit may include several game pieces from a previously played game that has ended. Moreover, other components of the game unit, such as a mechanical device discussed in greater detail below, may be in an initial state.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 804 during which an input may be received at an insert assembly. As discussed above, an insert assembly may be configured to receive payment from a player. In some embodiments, the insert assembly is configured to receive a particular type of coin, and a designated number of coins, and once the designated number of coins has been received, a push mechanism of the insert assembly may be pushed by a user, and the insert assembly may transfer that received force to one or more other components of the game unit. Accordingly, the input received from the user may be a payment and/or a mechanical force.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 806 during which one or more components of the insert assembly applies a force to a first linkage bar included in the game unit. Accordingly, the force received by the insert assembly may be transferred to the first linkage bar. As discussed above, the first linkage bar may be a horizontal linkage bar that is coupled to other components of the game unit, such as a pivot, a mechanical device, and a second linkage bar. During operation, the first linkage bar may transfer the received force to these components.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 808 during which the first linkage bar and a pivot move in response to receiving the force, and a mechanical device coupled to the first linkage bar compresses in response to the first linkage bar moving. Accordingly, the force received from the first linkage bar may cause a motion in the pivot that compresses the mechanical device and also causes a motion of other components, such as a second linkage discussed in greater detail below. As also previously discussed, the mechanical device may be a spring, such as a gas spring. Moreover, the gas spring may be specifically configured to return to a resting state in accordance with one or more temporal parameters, such as returning to a resting state after a designated period of time.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 810 during which a second linkage bar may be pulled, and may move in response to the pivot and first linkage bar moving. Accordingly, as discussed above, the movement of the pivot and compression of the mechanical device may cause the second linkage bar to be pulled and move upwards.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 812 during which a gating device may open in response to the second linkage bar moving. In various embodiments, the second linkage bar is coupled to the gating device via a linkage or joint, and the movement of the second linkage bar causes the gating device to open and release all of the game pieces stored in the game board.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 814 during which the mechanical device may return to an initial state over a designated period of time. As discussed above, the characteristics of the mechanical device may govern the rate and speed at which components of the game unit, such as first and second linkage bars as well as the pivot, are able to return to an initial resting state. More specifically, when the mechanical device is configured as a spring, a spring constant of the spring may be configured such that the components return to an initial state and the gating device is closed after a designated period of time. As noted above, the designated period of time may be determined based on characteristics of the game unit itself, such as how long it takes for an entire column of game pieces to fall from a column of a game board included in the game unit.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 816 during which a gaming session may be initiated. Accordingly, once the game pieces have been cleared from the game board, and the components of game unit have returned to an initial state and gating device is closed, various users may begin playing the game in accordance with the rules described above.

Although the foregoing concepts have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the processes, systems, and devices. Accordingly, the present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A game unit comprising: a housing;a game board coupled to the housing and configured to receive and hold a plurality of game pieces;an insert assembly coupled to the housing and configured to receive payment from a user;a gating device coupled to the game board and configured to hold game pieces in the game board when in a first position, and further configured to release game pieces from the game board when in a second position;a mechanical device configured to return the gating device to the first position from the second position after a designated period of time; anda catch configured to receive game pieces from the game board through the gating device.

2. The game unit of claim 1 further comprising: a pivot;a first linkage bar coupled between the insert assembly and the pivot; anda second linkage bar coupled between the gating device and the pivot.

3. The game unit of claim 2, wherein the insert assembly is further configured to receive a force from the user, wherein the first linkage bar is configured to transfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and wherein the transferring of the at least some of the force to the pivot causes the mechanical device to compress and store mechanical energy, and also causes the second linkage bar to pull on the gating device.

4. The game unit of claim 1, wherein the mechanical device is a spring configured to return to a resting position after the designated period of time.

5. The game unit of claim 4, wherein the spring is a gas spring.

6. The game unit of claim 4, wherein the designated period of time is determined based on an amount of time taken by a column of game pieces to fall from the game board to the catch.

7. The game unit of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted on a wall.

8. The game unit of claim 1, wherein the payment is a plurality of coins.

9. The game unit of claim 1, wherein the game board comprises a plurality of columns configured to hold game pieces, and wherein each of the plurality of columns comprises a plurality of perforations configured to enable visibility of the held game pieces.

10. A game unit comprising: a housing;a game board coupled to the housing;an insert assembly coupled to the housing;a gating device coupled to the game board and configured to be closed in a first position, and further configured to be open in a second position;a mechanical device configured to return the gating device to the first position from the second position after a designated period of time;a pivot included in the housing, the pivot comprising a rotation point and a plurality of attachment points;a first linkage bar coupled between the insert assembly and one of the plurality of attachment points of the pivot;a second linkage bar coupled between the gating device and one of the plurality of attachment points of the pivot; anda catch configured to receive game pieces from the game board through the gating device.

11. The game unit of claim 10, wherein the insert assembly is further configured to receive a force from a user, wherein the first linkage bar is configured to transfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and wherein the transferring of the at least some of the force to the pivot causes the mechanical device to compress and store mechanical energy, and also causes the second linkage bar to pull on the gating device.

12. The game unit of claim 11, wherein the mechanical device is a gas spring configured to return to a resting position after the designated period of time.

13. The game unit of claim 12, wherein the gas spring is configurable such that the designated period of time at which the gating device closes is adjustable.

14. The game unit of claim 10, wherein the game board comprises a plurality of columns configured to receive and hold game pieces, and wherein each of the plurality of columns comprises a plurality of perforations configured to enable visibility of the held game pieces.

15. A method comprising: receiving a payment and a force at an insert assembly of a game unit, the game unit comprising a game board capable of receiving and holding game pieces;transferring at least some of the force to a mechanical device capable of storing mechanical energy;transferring at least some of the force to a gating device;transitioning the gating device from a closed state to an open state in response to the transferring; andtransitioning the gating device from the open state to the closed stated after a designated period of time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the transferring of the at least some of the force to the mechanical device further comprises: transferring the force from the insert assembly to a pivot via a first linkage bar; andtransferring at least some of the force from the pivot to the mechanical device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the transferring of the at least some of the force to the gating device further comprises: transferring at least some of the force from the pivot to the mechanical device via a second linkage bar.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mechanical device is a gas spring capable of returning to a resting position after the designated period of time.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the transitioning of the gating device from the open state to the closed state after the designated period of time comprises: decompressing the mechanical device to release the stored mechanical energy.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the payment further comprises: receiving a designated number of coins.