Method and Apparatus for Automatic Threading of the Rope on a Cut To Win Type Arcade Game

Abstract

An add on/modification to the Cut 2 Win game that allowed the string in which the game works to be securely threaded into the game with easy and no chance of making a mistake threading it. The second feature of the present invention is that it keeps the string stable and prevents the string from moving if the customer shakes the machine. The computer operating the game needs to know where the string is on this game in order to know how to make the game play properly. If the operator miss-threads the string, the game will not play correct and might give away prizes too early, so the present invention makes sure the string is in the correct position.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to game machines. More specifically, the present invention relates to cut to win game machines and the operation of cut to win game machines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cut to win type games are very popular prize redemption arcade games. The prizes one can win often include high value items. This scissor cutting arcade game looks simple enough to win, but it is a lot harder to win than you might think. That is how it tricks players into spending money to try and win a big prize.

For operators, resetting the game play after a player wins can be difficult and time consuming. Therefore, what is needed is a method for quickly and efficiently threading, centering, and aligning the rope to ensure fair and predictable game play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an add on/modification to the Cut 2 Win game that allowed the string in which the game works to be securely threaded into the game with easy and no chance of making a mistake threading it. The second feature of the present invention is that it keeps the string stable and prevents the string from moving if the customer shakes the machine.

The computer operating the game needs to know where the string is on this game in order to know how to make the game play properly. If the operator miss-threads the string, the game will not play correctly and might give away prizes too early, so the present invention makes sure the string is in the correct position.

Next, if the player is shaking the machine, the string can swing away from the proper position where it was designed to be, thus also making the game possibly give out a prize too fast. The modification taught by the present invention also keeps the string in the proper place even during a shaking incident.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein an form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a standard cut the rope machine.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a standard cut the rope machine.

FIG. 3 is a side planar view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a standard cut the rope machine.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a standard cut the rope machine.

FIG. 5 is a front side perspective view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a standard cut the rope machine with respect to the hook for holding the string and the game play cutting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location 106 from a standard cut the rope machine. The computer operating the game needs to know where the string 102 is on this game in order to know how to make the game play properly. If the operator miss-threads the string, the game will not play correctly and might give away prizes too early, so the present invention makes sure the string 102 is in the correct position.

Next, if the player is shaking the machine, the string 102 can swing away from the proper position where it was designed to be, thus also making the game possibly give out a prize too fast. The modification 101 taught by the present invention also keeps the string 102 in the proper place even during a shaking incident.

The present invention is an add on/modification 101 to a cut the rope game that allows the string 102 in which the game works to be securely threaded into the game with easy and no chance of making a mistake threading it. The second feature of the present invention is that it keeps the string 102 stable and prevents the string 102 from moving if the customer shakes the machine.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location 106 from a standard cut the rope machine. FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location 106 from a standard cut the rope machine. As illustrated, the modification 101 is comprised of a three sided fitting for threading a string 102 into a specific location and holding it in a fixed position. Here the modification 101 is comprised of a flat bottom surface 103 and a flat opposing parallel top surface 104 connected by a side surface 105 holding the parallel bottom surface 103 and top surface 104 a fixed distance apart.

The bottom surface 103 is further comprised of one or two holes 112 for securing the modification 101 to a typical cut the rope machines cross or string locating bar 106. One or two screws 107 are used to secure the bottom surface 103 of the modification 101 to the rope machines cross or string locating bar 106 where the top surface 104 is closer to the hook 111 from which the string 102 to be cut hangs inside the cut the rope machine cabinet.

The bottom surface 103 is further comprised of a first V-shaped groove 108 which holds a string place. The first V-shaped groove 108 faces toward a typical cut the rope machines cross or string locating bar 106 where a typical cut the rope machine only contains a bar or metal loop 106 for retaining a string in an approximate location allowing easy manipulation and movement by a player.

The top surface 104 is also comprised of second V-shaped groove 109 which is offset to an opposing side of the first V-shaped groove 108 and is oriented in an opposing direction with respect to the first V-shaped groove 108 where the second V-shaped groove 109 faces outward and away the hook 111 from which the string 102 to be cut hangs inside the cut the rope machine cabinet.

FIG. 3 is a side planar view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location 106 from a standard cut the rope machine. In the illustrative example, the first V-shaped groove 108 of the bottom surface 103 faces away from the vertical side surface 105 and the second V-shaped groove 109 of the top surface 104 faces toward the vertical side surface 105 in an opposite direction of the first V-shaped groove 108 of the bottom surface 103.

FIG. 5 is a front side perspective view illustrating the present invention mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a standard cut the rope machine with respect to the hook for holding the string 108 and the game play cutting apparatus 110. The figures only illustrate one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The orientation of the components of the modification 101 can be arranged in various configurations where the string 102 is stung through two V-shaped grooves oriented in opposing or opposite directions that places some pressure or stress on the string to keep it firmly in place where it can not be subject to movement from cabinet shaking or other typical outside forces from a player seeking an advantage or to artificially manipulate the outcome of a gameplay.

Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A device for retrofitting a cut the rope game machine eliminating threading mistakes and reducing manipulative gameplay, comprising a cut the rope game machine having in its cabinet a hook from which a string is hung, a cutting device, and a cross or string locating bar through which the hung string hangs;a retrofitting device comprised of a three sided fitting for threading a string into a specific location and holding it in a fixed position; the retrofitting device is comprised of a flat bottom surface and a flat opposing parallel top surface connected by a side surface holding the parallel bottom surface and top surface a fixed distance apart;the bottom surface is further comprised of one or two holes for securing the retrofitting device to a cut the rope machines cross or string locating bar;the bottom surface is further comprised of a first V-shaped groove which holds a string place;the first V-shaped groove faces toward a cut the rope machines cross or string locating bar where a cut the rope machine only contains a bar or metal loop for retaining a string in an approximate location allowing easy manipulation and movement by a player;one or more screws are used to secure the bottom surface of the retrofitting device to the rope machines cross or string locating bar where the top surface is closer to the hook from which the string to be cut hangs inside the cut the rope machine cabinet; andthe top surface is comprised of second V-shaped groove which is offset to an opposing side of the first V-shaped groove and is oriented in an opposing direction with respect to the first V-shaped groove 108 where the second V-shaped groove faces outward and away the hook from which the string to be cut hangs inside the cut the rope machine cabinet.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retrofitting device keeps the string stable and prevents the string from moving if the customer shakes the machine.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first V-shaped groove of the bottom surface faces away from the vertical side surface; andthe second V-shaped groove of the top surface faces toward the vertical side surface in an opposite direction of the first V-shaped groove of the bottom surface.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the retrofitting device is mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a cut the rope machine with respect to the hook for holding the string and the game play cutting apparatus.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the string is stung through two V-shaped grooves oriented in opposing or opposite directions that places pressure or stress on the string to keep it firmly in place where it can not be subject to movement from cabinet shaking or outside forces from a player seeking an advantage or to artificially manipulate the outcome of a gameplay.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the retrofitting device is an add on/retrofitting device to a cut to win game that allows the string in which the game works to be securely threaded into the game with no chance of making a threading mistake; andretaining the string in a stable positing and preventing the string from moving if the machine is shaken.

7. A method for automatic centering of the rope on a cut to win type arcade game, wherein the string in which the game works to be securely threaded into the game eliminating any chance of making a threading mistake; anda second feature of the present invention is that it keeps the string stable and prevents the string from moving if the customer shakes the machine;the computer operating the game needs to know where the string is on this game in order to know how to make the game play properly; if the operator miss-threads the string, the game will not play correct and might give away prizes too early, so the present invention makes sure the string is in the correct position; andif the player is shaking the machine, the string can swing away from the proper position where it was designed to be, thus also making the game possibly give out a prize too fast; andthe retrofitting device taught by the present invention also keeps the string in the proper place even during a shaking incident.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the retrofitting device keeps the string stable and prevents the string from moving if the customer shakes the machinethe retrofitting device is comprised of a flat bottom surface and a flat opposing parallel top surface connected by a side surface holding the parallel bottom surface and top surface a fixed distance apart;the bottom surface is further comprised of one or two holes for securing the retrofitting device to a cut the rope machines cross or string locating bar;the bottom surface is further comprised of a first V-shaped groove which holds a string place;the first V-shaped groove faces toward a cut the rope machines cross or string locating bar where a cut the rope machine only contains a bar or metal loop for retaining a string in an approximate location allowing easy manipulation and movement by a player;one or more screws are used to secure the bottom surface of the retrofitting device to the rope machines cross or string locating bar where the top surface is closer to the hook from which the string to be cut hangs inside the cut the rope machine cabinet; andthe top surface is comprised of second V-shaped groove which is offset to an opposing side of the first V-shaped groove and is oriented in an opposing direction with respect to the first V-shaped groove 108 where the second V-shaped groove faces outward and away the hook from which the string to be cut hangs inside the cut the rope machine cabinet.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first V-shaped groove of the bottom surface faces away from the vertical side surface; andthe second V-shaped groove of the top surface faces toward the vertical side surface in an opposite direction of the first V-shaped groove of the bottom surface.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the retrofitting device is mounted to the original crossbar and threading location from a cut the rope machine with respect to the hook for holding the string and the game play cutting apparatus.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the string is stung through two V-shaped grooves oriented in opposing or opposite directions that places pressure or stress on the string to keep it firmly in place where it can not be subject to movement from cabinet shaking or outside forces from a player seeking an advantage or to artificially manipulate the outcome of a gameplay.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the retrofitting device is an add on/retrofitting device to a cut to win game that allows the string in which the game works to be securely threaded into the game with no chance of making a threading mistake; andretaining the string in a stable positing and preventing the string from moving if the machine is shaken.