Gaming device for pellet guns

Abstract

Gaming Device for Pellet Guns is a portable, all mechanical, target apparatus used by one or more players. The device subassemblies may include a multiple silhouette targets housed in a pellet trap, a dispenser, and a score counter. The silhouette targets are mounted on pivoting posts. Its surface areas and shapes are consequential to the targeting challenge. The dispenser is designed to eject a ball from the magazine stack every time the target is hit. The ball color or its markings reflect the number of points scored. The score counter subassembly keeps a tally by stacking ejected balls into the score bar.

Description

BACKGROUND-PRIOR ART

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

Patent Number	Kind Code	US Patents Issue Date	Patentee
5,342,062	B1	1994 Aug. 30	Lance
5,280,919	B1	1994 Jan. 25	Graham
2,182,517	B1	1939 Feb. 20	Compton/Silbereis
2,406,731	B1	1946 Aug. 27	Amdur
5,597,164	B1	1997 Jan. 28	Dodds

A complete targeting system should offer a range of targeting challenges, show the target hits, auto reset the target after the strike, keep the score, maintain a history of successful hits, and facilitate the simplicity of operation. While many target systems have been designed in the past, the prior art arrangements have delivered desirable features only in part. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,280,919 (1994) and 5,342,062 (1994) do not have capability to keep the score. Another example, the U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,731 (1945) does not maintain the target strike history which is important in determining the make-up of the total score. The present invention incorporates all desirable features that are essential to an all-inclusive gaming device, and its advantages over the prior art will be rendered evident.

SUMMARY

A Gaming Device for Pellet Guns is a mechanical target that offers real life entertainment as opposed to virtual games. Pellet gun owners can aim at silhouette targets and engage in various fun games that can be played solo or with multiple players. This unique device provides instant gratification for good shooting by dispensing balls worth a designated amount of points for each successful hit. There is also the option of attaching a conventional paper target to the device for gun site alignment, target practice or competitive shooting. This device also promotes environmental responsibility by containing the lead pellet dispersion and reducing shooter's temptation to aim at wildlife. Air gun owners of any age could benefit from this novel gaming device.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of preferred embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in detail of the portion indicated by the section lines 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pellet trap subassembly.

FIG. 3 a is a plan view of a pellet trap bottom showing the cutouts for silhouette target insertion.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a dispenser subassembly

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view detailing the silhouette target engaged with ejector subassembly.

FIG. 4 b is an elevation of ejector subassembly.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of scoreboard subassembly

FIG. 6 details the silhouette target subassembly.

FIG. 6 a shows the silhouettes having various shapes and sizes

FIG. 7 shows how gaming device is used with paper target

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 Pellet trap subassembly
11 Back segment
12,13 Sides
15 Bottom segment
15a Cutout
16 Carrying handle
20 Dispenser subassembly
21 Base
21a Opening
22 Repository board
22a Magazine slot
23 Cover plate
23a Opening
24 Ejector
24a Ejector block
24b Pushrod
24c Locknut
24d Spring
24e Slot
24f Pivot groove
24g Guide hole
25 Marble, ball
30 Score counter subassembly
31 Base
32 Scoreboard
32a Raceway
32b Score bar
32c Knob
33 Cover plate
33a Opening
33b Opening
34 Gate
40 Target subassembly
41 Silhouette
42 Post
43 Pivot bud
44 Skirt
44a Cutout

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 6—Preferred Embodiment

Preferred embodiment of the gaming device is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspective view) showing closely related subassemblies: a pellet trap 10, a dispenser 20, a score counter 30 and one or more targets 40. The subassemblies are integrated into an apparatus that can measure approximately 14″H×18″L×12″W for the unit comprising five targets.

The target subassembly 40 is detailed in FIG. 6. It comprises a silhouette 41, a post 42, pivot buds 43, and a skirt 44.

The silhouette 41 can be made from 14 gauge sheet metal and is attached to the post 42. When gaming device comprises more than one target, the face areas of silhouettes 41 can be graduated as shown in FIG. 6a. This facilitates different targeting challenge levels. Also, the silhouettes 41 can be contoured to reflect variety of gaming themes.

Referring to FIG. 2, the length of the post 42 should be somewhat larger than the vertical distance between the axial centerline of the pushrod 24b and the mid height of the pellet trap subassembly 10. It can be made from 12 gauge thick, ½″ wide strip of sheet metal and slightly tapered at the bottom to ease the engagement with pushrod 24b.

The pivot buds 43 are cylinders made from either plastic or metal and can be attached to the post 42 with rivets or any other suitable method. They are positioned approximately 1/4 length of the post 42 measured from the bottom. This ratio allows adequate outward movement of the pushrod 24b when the target subassembly 40 swings inward 10° or more.

The skirt 44, FIG. 6, is used to prevent jamming the target assembly 40 by rebound lead pellets. It can be made from the sheet metal and is sized to cover the gaps around the target post at insertion point. The cutout 44a is sized for loose fit of the skirt 44 over the post 42.

The target subassembly should be coated in an impact resistant and durable paint.

The pellet trap subassembly, FIG. 3, can be made of diverse materials like high impact plastic or adequately gauged sheet metal suitable for containing the kinetic energy of lead pellet. Different techniques can be employed in a pellet trap construction. The back 11 of the trap should be slopped, preferably 45°. The target insertion cutouts 15a are made at the bottom segment 15 of the trap, FIG. 3a, one for each target silhouette used in the device. The cutout 15a is contoured to clear the cross-section of the target post 42 and the pivot bud 43. It also extends beyond the target post 42 to allow 12-15° pivot of the target. The position of the cutouts 15a is predetermined by design and placement of ejector subassemblies 24 discussed later in the specification. The sides 12 and 13, FIG. 3, are shaped so to snugly fit the contour line formed by the bottom 15 and the back 11. Many methods can be used to fasten the sides 12 and 13 to the rest of subassembly. The carrying handle 16 can be made from the same material and attached to the top of the pellet trap. The pellet trap can be coated in an impact resistant and durable paint when required.

A dispenser, FIG. 4, comprises a base 21, a repository board 22, a cover plate 23, one or more ejector sub subassembly 24 and a plurality of balls 25 shown in FIG. 1.

A ball 25, FIG. 1, can be made of glass, plastic, or metal. There should be a number of balls 25 associated either by color or markings to each target subassembly 40.

A base 21, FIG. 4, is a frame like structure and can be made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The height of the base 21 should be sufficient to accommodate the magazine slots 22a having preferred holding capacity of 10 balls. The length and width of the base 21 are the same as the perimeters of the footprint of pellet trap subassembly shown in FIG. 3. The holes 21a, FIG. 4, are made on the face side of the base 21, one for each ejector 24. It is sized and positioned so to allow unobstructed movement of ejector pushrod 24b and locknut 24c, FIG. 4b.

A repository board 22, FIG. 4, can be made of similar material as the base 21. Its height and length is the same as the height and length of the base 21 and the thickness should be slightly greater than diameter of the ball 25, FIG. 4b. The repository board 22, FIG. 4, houses a magazine slot 22a, one for each ejector 24. The slot 22a should be slightly wider than the diameter of the ball; it is open on the top and can be straight, curved, or S-shaped to maximize the holding capacity of the balls. The bottom end of the magazine slots 22a should overlap with the holes 21a, FIG. 4b, and the lower edge should be slopped 5° to 8° toward back to prevent unintended rollout of the ball 25. Each magazine slot 22a should have holding capacity of 10 balls.

The cover plate 23, FIG. 4, can be made from transparent high impact plastic. Its height can exceed somewhat the height of repository board 22; however the length should be the same. The holes 23a are positioned at the bottom of each magazine slot 22a in a way not to obstruct the ball ejection.

An ejector 24 sub subassembly, FIG. 4a, is a receptacle for retractable target subassembly 40 allowing its post 42 to engage the pushrod 24b. The ejector 24 comprises of a block 24a, a pushrod 24b, a locknut 24c, and a spring 24d. The body 24a can be made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The pushrod 24b can be a hex bolt having ¼″ shank with ¾″ long threaded end. Referring to the FIG. 2, the overall length of the pushrod is equal to a horizontal distance between the face side of the dispenser base 21 and the front edge of the post 42 in vertical position. The compression spring 24d is positioned over the pushrod 24b which is then inserted in the guide hole 24g. The locknut 24c is tightened until the threaded tip of the pushrod 24b protrudes somewhat less than the thickness of the face side of the base 21. The spring 24d should be slightly compressed. The width of the pivot groove 24f is somewhat larger than the diameter of the pivot bud 43. The grove 24f is positioned to keep the silhouette 41 on horizontal centerline of the pellet trap 10 while maintaining the bottom of the post 42 engaged with the pushrod 24b. The slot 24e, FIG. 4a, is slightly wider than the thickness of the post 42. It projects across the full height of ejector block 24a starting at the back and continues until it passes the pivot groove 24f enough to allow 12-15° pivot of the target subassembly 40.

A score counter subassembly, FIG. 5, comprises a base 31, a scoreboard 32, and a cover plate 33.

The base 31 is a frame like structure and can be made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal. The length and width are the same as a footprint of dispenser subassembly 20, FIG. 1. The height of the base 31 should the same as the height of the scoreboard 32, FIG. 5.

The scoreboard 32 can be made of similar material and the same length as the base 31. The height of the scoreboard 32 is affected by design choices of raceway 32a and score bars 32b in terms of angle, shape, or number. The thickness of the scoreboard 32 is slightly greater than the diameter of the balls. The raceway 32a is tilted from outer edges toward the midpoint of the scoreboard 32. There is at least one sloped score bar slot 32b with preferred holding capacity of 10 or more balls. The lower edge at the bottom of the score bar 32b is sloped outward to ease the ball rollout. Should design incorporate more than one score bar 32b, the selector knob 32c can be used to select the score bar for subsequent players.

The cover plate 33 can be made from transparent, high impact plastic. Its length is the same as the length of the score board 32; however the height is extended as shown in FIG. 2 to keep the ejected balls on the raceway 32a. The openings 33a in FIG. 5 are positioned so to ensure that the bottom ends of the score bars 32b are unobstructed. The opening 33b is positioned over the selector knob 32c. The marble release gate 34 can be made of the same material as the cover plate 33. Turning the gate 34 around its fastener, it can be positioned to either expose or cover the opening 33a.

Operation—FIGS. 1, 2 and 7

The first step is preparation of the gaming device for use. Referring to FIG. 2, each target subassembly 40 is inserted in corresponding cutout 15a so that the pivot bud 43 slides all the way into pivot groove 24f causing the target post 42 to engage the pushrod 24b. The slightly compressed spring 24d keeps the target subassembly 40 in upright position against the front edge of cutout 15a. Being loose, the skirt 44 slides down along the post 42 and covers cutout 15a. This prevents jamming of target subassembly 40 by ricochet lead pellets. Next, any balls retained in the score bar 32b, FIG. 1, are released by turning the gate 34 so to uncover the opening 33a. After emptying the score bars 32b, the gate 34 is turned back to cover the opening 33a. Then the balls 25 are loaded from the top into magazine slots 22a taking care that its colors or markings correspond to target subassembly 40. The knob 32c is positioned to select the score bar 32b for the first player.

When a lead pellet hits silhouette 41, FIG. 2, the upper arm of the post 42 swings inward around the pivot bud 43. The lower arm moves in opposite direction driving the pushrod 24b outward while compressing the spring 24d. Consequently, the ball 25 at the bottom of the magazine slot 22a is pushed out. The spring 24d rebounds forcing the pushrod 24b and the target subassembly 40 to its initial position. This causes the balls 25 in the magazine slot 22a, FIG. 1, to move down by one place. Kept on the raceway 32a by the top edge of cover plate 33, the dispensed ball rolls into the score bar 32b relevant to the position of knob 32c. Should there be more than two players in the game; the score bar with lower score is emptied and the knob 32c is positioned to select it for subsequent player. The balls in the score bar with higher count are kept as a tally to beat.

To use the gaming device with a paper target, FIG. 7, the target silhouette subassemblies are removed from the pellet trap 10 prior to attaching the paper target on the face of the trap using magnets or masking tape.

Claims

1. A gaming device for pellet gun, comprising: a. a plurality of targets, each including a silhouette mounted on a post; andb. a pellet trap of predetermined size made of materials suitable for containing kinetic energy of a lead pellet and adapted to house a plurality of said targets; andc. a dispenser of predetermined size made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal, mounted underneath said pellet trap; enabled to hold a plurality of balls and eject said ball every time said target is hit; andd. a score counter of predetermined size made entirely or in part of plastic, wood, or sheet metal, and mounted underneath said dispenser; enabled to collect and display said balls ejected by said dispenser.

2. The pellet trap claimed in claim 1 further including a cutout, one for each predetermined position of said target.

3. The dispenser claimed in claim 1, further including: a. a magazine, one per said target, with holding capacity of a plurality of balls; andb. an ejector, one per said target, mechanically engaged with said target and enabled to dispense said ball from said magazine slot when said target pivots after was hit by a lead pellet.

4. The ball claimed in claim 1 is made of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass, rubber, or metal and the markings relate said ball to said target worth a designated amount of points.

5. The score counter claimed in claim 1, further including: a. a score bar enabled to hold said balls dispensed by said ejector; andb. means for guiding said balls to said score bar; andc. means for releasing said balls from said score bar.