US2810579A - Devices for playing card games with balls - Google Patents

Description

0a. 22, 1957 J. J. HICKEY 2,810,579

DEVICES FOR PLAYING CARD GAMES WITH BALLS Filed March 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l F 2 21/2 I fl Z6 /0 27 Oct. 22, 1957 J./ J. HICKEY 2,810,579

DEVICES FOR PLAYING CARD GAMES WITH BALLS Filed March 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTOQ/Vf Y9 Oct. 22, 1957 J. J. HICKEY 2,810,579

DEVICES FOR PLAYING CARD GAMES WITH BALLS Filed March 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 WE/V702 JOHN HlCK'Y .F'gtB W Oct. 22, 1957 J. J. HICKEY 2,810,579

DEVICES FOR PLAYING CARD ems WITH BALLS Filed March 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 //vI /Nro2 JOHN J. H/CKEY i -14 BY M ATTORNEY-5 United States Patent DEVICES FOR PLAYING CARD GAMES WITH BALLS John J. Hickey, Belleville, N. J.

Application March 12, 1954, Serial No. 415,907

6 Claims. (Cl. 273-148) This invention relates to games and more particularly to improvements in devices designed to utilize small balls in lieu of playing cards for the playing of games that customarily are played with decks of fifty-two playing cards and disclosed in applicants Patent No. 2,334,092, issued November 9, 1943; Patent No. 2,334,093, issued November 9, 1943; and Patent No. 2,383,860, issued August 28, 1945.

The aforementioned patents disclosed devices wherein space requirements were no particular object, that is the entire top of a table might be devoted to the device or the device provided with legs in the manner of a table. A simplified portable device was described in applicants Patent No. 2,555,132, issued May 29, 1951, wherein a revolving drum equipped with a stationary counting trough in coaction withthe drum selects a number of'balls from a mixed 'mass and deposits the same on a switch box for allocation to a display box for exposed hands, to box pockets for concealed hands, or back into the mixing drum. It was subsequently found that the counting trough, switch box, display box, and box pockets could be materially improved and simplified for the greater'convenience of the players 'who may have crippled arms or fingers, amputated upper limbs, broken bones, or other physical ailments.

The present application shows a device somewhat similar to that disclosedin the abandoned application Ser. No. 83,173, filed March 24, 1949.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide a small and readily transportable device of the type described wherein noise has been substantially reduced compared with known types.

A further object is to provide a device reasonably free from detachable parts so frequently the subject of loss and further free from protuberances that might impede the handicapped players when transporting the device.

It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a device in which a face down or concealed ball dealt to a player can be maintained concealed at the will of the player.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of these objectives, one form of the device is constituted of a housing wherein a rotatably mounted drum, equipped with a rotatable counting trough, first mixes and then delivers five balls of the mixed mass to a nivotally mounted channeled switch box for serving to the players on a channeled display box for exposed hands, in elbow pockets for concealed hands, or back into the mixing drum. In another form, the device diifers from that previously mentioned in the design of the counting trough of the mixing drum and in the switch box for serving the balls. A third type of switch box has also been perfected and which may be used in place of the switch boxes utilized in the first'two forms. Thus, by providing in each form of the device a substantially'noiseless counting trough; a display box and switch boxes of unique design; elbow boxes which releasablysecureconice cealed balls, and so arranging the manipulation of the mixing drum that the operation thereof may be as readily performed by the handicapped as the normal person, subject devices are distinguishable from known similar devices and capable of bringing the stimulation of card games to an even greater number with greater ease than heretofore possible.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 through 7 show one formof the device for playing with balls games usually employing playing cards, constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device.

Figure 2 is atop plan view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1 but with the cover removed and on an enlarged scale.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing the device with the counting trough in the deliveryposition.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the device shown in Figure 5 but with the countingtrough in the receiving position.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side view of-the device shown in Figure 3 but-enlarged the more clearly to show the switch box handle mechanism.

Figures 8 through 10 show another form of the device and in which:

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the switch box on an enlarged scale and with the counting trough in the delivery position.

Figure 9 is a sectional view along the line 99 of Figure 8. V

Figure 10 is a sectional view .of the mixing .drum with the counting trough-in the receivingposition.

Figures 11 through 14 showa third formof the-switch box, in which:

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the switch box.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the switch boxshown in Figure 11 in position for the delivery of the balls-for the exposed hands.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the switch box shown in Figure 11 in position for the return of the balls to the mixing drum.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the switch box shown in Figure 11 in position for the delivery of the'balls for the concealed hands.

Referring nowin greater detail to the form of the device shown in Figures 1 through 7 wherelike reference numerals indicate like parts, reference numeral 10 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) indicates the device, 11 (Figs. Sand 6) the balls, 12 (Figs. 4, 5, and 6) the revolving mixing drum, 13 (Figs. 4, 5, and 6) the counting trough, 14, (Figs. .4 and 5) the switch box, 15 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.) the switch box, 15 (Figs. '1, '2, 3, 4, and 5) the display box, and 16 (Figs. 1 and 5) the elbow pockets.

The device10 is constituted of a housingformed with the spaced parallel side members 17 and 18 which have a cut out portion in one corner along the lines '19 and 20 as shown in Figure 3, the linel'9 being inclined downwardly and outwardly; a back member 21 spaced parallel topthe front supports '22 and 23 (Fig. 1); a base'member 24 (Figs. 1 and 3); anda'cover-member '25 (Figs. '2 and 3). Any suitable means may be used for securing the-various members along corresponding edges while the cover member is hingedly attached by any known hinge means 26 and 27 (Fig. 2) and releasably held in position by the catch 28 (Fig. 3). Except for the front supports 22 and 23 the remainder of the dual plane front is open and designed for the insertion of the display box 15 Fig. l) and the elbow pockets 16 at the base, both the display box and the elbow pockets being described infra.

At the back of the housing is the revolving mixing drum 12 (Figs. 4, 5, and 6) with spaced parallel side members, a rim member 29 (Figs. 5 and 6) through which there is an opening 30 (Figs. 5 and 6) leading to the interior of the drum 12. The rim 29 has a flattened portion 33 (Fig. 6) on one side of the opening 30 and an inwardly directed member 31 integrally formed with or otherwise attached thereto, which extends transversely of the drum 12 and forms with a coacting member 32 a part of a bafiie system for mixing the balls 11 when the drum 12 is rotated about the support 34 in one side of the housing and a similar support in the opposite side (not shown). One end of one of the supports 34 may be fastened to the side of the drum and formed with a groove 35 (Fig. 3) in the end protruding through the side of the housing for the releasable insertion of the handle member 36. By using the grooved slot 35 other means may be used for rotating the drum 12, and based upon the particular requirements of the handicapped person or persons for whom the device is intended.

Transversely and rotatably disposed in the revolving mixing drum 12 is the counting trough 13 in a position relative to the opening 30, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The trough 13 is formed of a casing having a longitudinal opening 38 (Fig. 5), and may be constituted of a longitudinal strip of brass 37a or other heavy material at the bottom and a similar strip of aluminum 37b or other light material thereabove to provide the important difference in weight which motivates the rotations of the trough 13 in conjunction with the revolutions of the drum 12. The trough 13 is divided into five compartments or stalls 41, 42, 43, 44, and (Fig. 4) by similar spacers 46 of any suitable material. Coacting with the counting trough 13 is the platform 47 transversely disposed in the drum 12 and the platform 48 which is divided into five longitudinal runways aligned with the stalls 41 through 45 of the trough 13 in the up position as shown in Figure 4.

At the opposite end of the housing and between the spaced parallel side members 17 and 18 and normally downwardly inclined is the display box 15 pivotally secured in the sides of the housing by any known means 53 (Fig. 5). The display box 15 is constituted of the upper deck 54 divided into five longitudinal channels 55, 56, 57, 58, and 59 (Fig. 2) which are aligned with the previously mentioned stalls 41 through 45 (Fig. 4) of the trough 13. The display box 15 is further constituted of a lower deck 60 similarly divided into channels but terminating at the front at the point 61 (Fig. 5) which provides a transverse opening of sufiicient width to permit the balls 11 to enter the later described elbow pockets 16. Pivotally connected to the sides of the display box 15 is a retainer 62 which serves as a gate for the balls 11 in coaction with a catch 63. If desired,.the member 37 may be of sutlicient length and so attached to the display box 15 as to coact with the protuberance 37g on the drum 12.

Aligned with the opening at the front of the lower deck 60 of the display box 15 are five L-shap'ed or elbow pockets 16 slidably inserted in the front of the housing as most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. Coacting with the inwardly directed end of each box 16 is a spring member 65 (Fig. 5) hingedly attached to any suitable rod 66 disposed between thesides of the housing and placed under downwardly exerted tension by coaction with a transversely disposed member 67 as shown in Figure 5.

Between the channeled drum platform 48 of the drum 12 in the delivery position and the channeled decks of the display box 15 is a switch box 14 pivotally secured between the spaced sides of the housing by any suitable means 68 so that the same may be rotated downwardly to the first dotted position shown in Figure 5 when the channels of the lower deck of the display box 15 will be aligned with similar channels of the switch box 14. When the switch box 14 is rotated downwardly to the second dotted position shown in Figure 5, the balls 11 rolling down the drum platform 48 will fall upon the casing platform 64 and be directed through the opening 30 into the drum 12.

The manipulation of the switch box 14- is attained by a dealing lever composed of a hollow coil spring 69 (Fig. 5), one end of which is attached to the inner surface of the housing. In the free end of the spring 69 is a handle member 70 (Fig. 7) which slides over a guide 71 secured in a slot formed in the side of the housing, the guide having along the lower edge the notches 71a, 72, and 73. The handle member 70 also passes through a coacting slot in an upright member 74 attached to the top of the switch box 14, the planes of the member 74 and the side of the housing being parallel. The spring 69 is set to exert a downwardly exerted pressure on the handle member 70 by either the influence of gravity on the free end of the spring and the partially inserted handle member or by inserting the inner end of the spring in the wall of the housing at a downwardly directed angle. Of course, the

same result can be attained by other means. When used in dealing, the rod may be drawn or projected approximately one or two inches out of the spring and having to furnish a convenient grip while at other times the handle member'70 may be readily retracted into the spring 69 which eliminates any projection from the housing.

The operation of the device of the first form is as follows:

Suppose five players are grouped around the device for the game of stud poker which with a deck of playing cards consists in dealing one face down or concealed card to each of the players followed by the dealing of four face up cards; each of the five players selects one of the numbered channels 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (Fig. l) of the display box 15 and at the same time the correlated elbow box 16 directly thereunder. Of course, the playing capacity of the device could be increased but the capacity of the five channel device described can be reduced at will. For example, an oversize soft ball may be inserted in any or more of the five compartments or stalls 41 through 45 of the counting trough 13 which will reduce the ball dealing capacity of the device. Fifty-two small balls 11 in lieu of playing cards, the balls being painted black to represent spades, blue for clubs, red for hearts, and white for diamonds and bearing the customary markings and insignia of playing cards are inserted in the drum 12 through the opening 30 after the drum 12 has been rotated to the position shown in Figure 5 and the display box 15 pivoted downwardly to the lower dotted position shown in Figure 5. Access to the interior of the drum 12' may also be had by rotating the opening 36 (Fig. 5) clockwise until it is under the cover member 25 which may be rotated upwardly for the insertion of the balls 11. Alternate counterclockwise and clockwise rotation of the drum 12 between the limits of the stops 49 and 51.will mix the balls, in the down position of the counting trough 13 (Fig. 6), the platforms 47 and 48 will segregate five balls of the mixed mass into the stalls 41 through 45 of the trough. As the drum 12 is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure 5, the rotatable trough 13 will revolve slightly clockwise. When the position shown by the solid lines of the trough in Figure 5 is reached the impact of the coacting stops 49 and 52 of the housing and.drum,'respectively, will,.as a' componentof the shuffling or mixing, discharge the contents of .the trough, in the lower position of the switch box 14, back into the age togs'zo drum; in the second dotted position 'of the switch box '14, into the elbowpockets 16 via the'lower d'eck 60; *and in the upper position of the switch box14 out of the upper deck of the display box -15 aided by the outward and downward inclination of the "various members. When, as stated, trough 13 is moved to its upper, solid line, position as shown in Fig. 5, the trough willhave rotated so that its open side faces conveyor 48. Theimpact between the fixed stop 49 and the movable stop '52 on the drum 12, which stops the drum'quickly, will function to sling ball 11 out of the trough and out of the conveyor, due to the momentum attained by the ball during rotation of drum 12. This discharge is accomplished by moving the dealing lever 70 into the desiredde'aling' position. Since in stud poker, the 'first card may be served face down or concealed, the balls 11 rolling down the drum platform 48 must be directed for concealment to the elbow pockets 16, so that the handle member 70 (Fig. 7) is placed in the central notch 72jwhich'aligns the channeled platform of the switch box '14 with the entrance to the similarly channeled second deck 60 6f the display box 15. On the deck 60, the balls 11 roll threalong by gravity and thence through the transverse opening at the 'front into the open tops of the'elbow pockets "16ialigried therewith. Next, exposed balls must be dealt 'to'e'ach'player. Hence, the operator moves thehandle"member 70 tothe slot 73 (Fig. 7) whereupon the channels of the switch box 15 will be in alignment with the 'channels of the upper leck 54 of the display box 15. When the drum 12 is revolved from the position shown in Figure to that shown in Figure 6, the trough 13will'turn in'the opposite direction to assume'the position shown'by thesolid lines in Figure 6 so that up to five oftheballs iemaining in the drum will be entrapped in the'counting ti'ough, as previously shown, and automatically delivered to the contestants in the manner previously described. At the close of each round of the play, the outer end of the display box 15 is tilted above the pivot po ints53 to the dotted position shown in Figure 5, so thatthe balls 11 will roll downwardly to be directed through the opening '39 back into the drum 12forarioth'e'r ronnd. Of course, the concealed balls in the elbow pockets 'lfiare' notfor' the immediate inspection of any but theplayer' to whom it has been allotted and by permitting'th'e ball to roll into the L--shaped end it is substantially out of sight at the will of the player. The catch 75 'in the elbow pockets 16 is so designed and pivotally atta'chedbythe pin 76 that it will automatically turn and block the 'path of exit of the ball 11 out of the top when the pocket is inverted unless manually restrained so that the accid'entalloss of a ball during a game is very remote.

In the second form of the device shown in "Figures 8 through 10, which is chiefly distinguishable from the device previously described in the counting trough and switch box, reference numeral "80 indicate'sth'e counting trough and 81 the switch box.

The counting trough '80 is formed with 'a longitudinally disposed and stationary compartment 82 divided into five stalls by any suitable separators and aligned with the runways of the display box 83 which is similar to'thedisplay box of the first form. In front of'the trough '80, as viewed in Figure 9, is a pivotally mounted platform 84 having the upper surface divided into five runways aligned with the stalls of the compartment '82. Any known means 85 may be used for pivotally stip'po'rti'ng'the L- shapec platform 84 transverselybetween'the'side inernbers of the drum but it will be noted that the pivotal support is along the member 87. At the b'ottom of the same member 87 is a weighted member 88'which may be attached as desired. Withtliisc'onstruc'tiomand when the counting trough 80 assu'm'esthe position shown-in Figure 10, the platform 84 will "rotate downwardly as shown opening the stalls of the compartment 82th the mixed balls '11 one of each of which will'enter the same. With the design described, a delayed closing *actionbfitheplatform 84 has been attained from the position shown in Figure 10 to that shown in Figure 9 and the platform 84 further has a tendency to'close the gap between-the floors of the stalls of the compartment 82 and theplatform '84 when in the up position. The alignment ofthe-floors may be regulated by the stop 86 and any tendency of *the platform and balls to jam has been eliminated. In the up position, the balls 11 will roll down thechannels of the platform 84 to be distributed by the switch box 81 as described in the following paragraph. 7

The switch box 81 is unique in that it is divided-into five stalls by stationary separators 89 and in which the bases or floors 90 "are made rotatable above the stationary floors 93 as follows: front upright edges of the separators 89 at the top'and through whicha rotatably inserted'rod 91 is passed and to which the outer ends of the bases '90 are fastened in any 'known manner. The rod 91 pivotally mounted through the sides of the housing is rotated by a handle member 92 suitably located on the side of the housing so that in the up position of the handle 92 the balls rolling down the platform 84 will'have sufficient momentum to fallobliquely onto the stationaryfloors 93 and thence to the channeled lower deck 60 for delivery to the elbow pockets 16. In the down position of the handle member 92, the balls fall back into the'mixing drum and-in the intermediate position roll out on the upper deck of the display box.

All other parts of the second form of the device are substantially the same as described for corresponding members of the first form.

The operation'of the device of the second form is as follows: Suppose that five players are gathered around the device for a game of hearts. Each player selects one or" thenumbered channels of the display platform and the'operator shifts, if not already in position, the handlemember 92 to the intermediate or up deal posi tion when the-platform 90 of the channels will be aligned with the channels of the pivotally mounted platform 84 in the up position and the channels of the display box 83. The balls are inserted in the drum in the manner previously described for the operation'under the first form;

Next, the operator rotates the drum counterclockwiseand clockwise untilthe balls are thoroughly mixed. In the down position ofthe drum, the pivotally mounted platform 84 tilts downwardly as shown in Figure 10 and a ball is directed into each of the'five stalls of the compartment'82 of the counting-trough 80. lln'the up position of the drum the platform 84 moves inwardlyto pro- 'vide'a runway for the entrapped balls which by virtue of the force of the impact of the coacting stops provided between the drum and housing and gravity roll down the channels out onto the upper-deck or display'box where the'same are held in position by the releasable gate mentioned-in the first form of the device. Whereupon the operator may compute the-numhe of hearts in this first lot that'accrued to each player. Upon raising the releasable gate the ball-s will'roll into a separate container such as an ordinary small wooden box. Then a second set or lot of 25 or 27 balls may be dealt which enables the operator to compute the total score of each of the five players. The balls may then be returned or dumped into the mixing drum as hereafter related.

In addition to the previously described games of poker and hearts, the machine provides for'the playing of many new and novelgames of solitaire which-will afford entertainment and relaxation for permanently crippled and temporarily injured people. For example, suppose "the sole player deals 25 balls onto the display platform and to win-must deal: (1) a flush, four of a kind, a full house, or a straight into either one of the two middle rows that is the longitudinal row 3 (Fig. -1) or transverse row C (Fig. 4); (2) nine balls into the two-middle rowswithout including an'ace, king, queen, orjack in the lot of 9 balls; (-3) five :of the thirteen diamonds into the two Aligned openings are made in the a 7 middle rows; (4) one ace into each of the four outside rows; and the like.

In still another form of switch box shown in Figures 11 through 14, which may replace either of the two previously described switch boxes, reference numeral 100 indicates the switch box, 101 the rotatably mounted drum, and 102 the display box with upper and lower decks.

The display box 102 is the same as the previously described display box, and the drum 101 may be either of the previously described forms.

The switch box 100 is constituted of a triangular support 103 secured at one end by any known means to one of theside members of the housing of the device and at the other end to the opposite side of the housing but spaced therefrom. On the side of the display box 102, the downwardly declined surface 104 of the triangular support 103 is divided into five stalls or compartments by the spaced parallel separators 105 which are aligned with the channels of the lower deck of the display box 102, previously mentioned. At the top of the triangular member 103'are the pivotally mounted guides or doors 106 and 107, the guide 106 being pivoted between the side of the housing by any known means 108 and the guide 107 by similar means 109. Channels are provided along the upper surface portions of the guides for alignment with the delivery channels of the drum and the channels of the display box as later shown. Pivotally mounted at one end of the pivotal mounting means 108 of the guide 106 in the space between the ends of the triangular support 103 and the inner surface of the housing, is an actuating member 110 equipped with the pins 111 and 112 protruding at a right angle to the plane of the member and which rotate and support the guides 106 and 107,-respectfully, as follows: Slidable in the top of the actuating member 110 is the link 113 pivotally attached at the top to a handle member 114, the opposite end of which (not shown) is pivotally attached to the opposite side of the housing in any desired manner. Coacting with the handle member 114 is a plate 115 disposed along the upper edge of the side of the housing and having along the top edge thereof the spaced open slots 116, 117, and 118. 'By this construction, when the handle member 114 is in the slot 117 (Fig. 12) the pins 111 and 112 maintain the guides 106 and 107 outwardly and downwardly inclined and in alignment with the delivery channels of the drum 101 and the channels of the upper deck of the display box 102. When the handle member 114 is in the slot 116 (Fig. 14), the channels of the guide 106 are aligned with the delivery channels of the drum 101 but the guide 107 is rotated upwardly by the pin 112 about the pivotal mounting means 109 and out of the way of the balls rolling over the guide 106 which then fall into the five stalls along the inclined edge 104 of the triangular support 103 to be directed into the channels of the lower deck of the display box 102. When the handle member 114 is in the slot 118, as shown in Figure 13, the guide 106 will i be rotated upwardly by the pin 111 about the pivotal mounting means 108 to provide a'gap between the drum 101 and switch box 100 through which the balls will fall to the runway 119, transversely disposed between the sides of the housing, for return to the mixing drum 101 in a manner previously described. The guides 106 and 107 may be weighted so that when free to rotate, the direction of rotation will be downwardly.

The operation of the switch box 100 is substantially the same as that mentioned for the previously described forms thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for playing with balls games usually played with cards, said device comprising a housing having an open front, a downwardly and outwardly directed display box for the balls disposed in the open front of the housing, said box comprising an upper deck, a lower deck and means maintaining said decks in spaced and substantially parallel arrangement, said decks having formed'on the top surfaces thereof a plurality of spaced and aligned longitudinalchannels, the outer end of the lower deck terminating interiorly of the outer end of the upper deck at a distance greater than the diameter of a ball; a mixing drum for the balls, said drum having a rim, an axis supporting said drum for semi-rotation between a bottom position and a top position and vice versa, said drum being located in the opposite end of the housing, the rim of the drum having inlet and outlet openings for the balls, the inlet being below the outlet when the inlet is in the bottom position, a multi-channeled drum platform disposed in the drum adjacent the outlet thereof, a casing platform disposed in the housing and downwardly and inwardly inclined from a point adjacent the inner end of the lower deck of the display box, and a switch box pivotally disposed in the housing intermediate the outer end of the drum platform in the top position thereof and the 'inner end of the display box, the switch box being adapted in one position to direct the balls out of the channels of the drum platform in the top position to the channels of the upper deck, and in a second position to the channels of the lower deck, and in a third position to the casing platform for return to the drum.

2. A device for playing with balls games usually employing playing cards according to claim 1 in which the switch box comprises a multi-channeled runway, means for pivotally, securing the inner edge of the runway in the casing adjacent the outer edge of the drum platform in the top position thereof, and means for directing the balls from said runway to the decks of the display box and to the casing platform, the last-mentioned means comprising an upright member disposed on one side of the runway in spaced parallel arrangement with the adjacent side member of the casing, the upright member and the adjacent side member having coacting slots formed therein, the slot in the side member being substantially horizontal and at to the slot in the upright member and further having formed along the lower edge thereof three spaced notches, a spiral spring for the housing, means for securing one end of the spring to the inner surface of the side member most remote from the upright memher, the free end of the spring being extended substantiallytoward said upright member, a handle member for the free end of the spring, one end of the handle member being slidably inserted in the free end of the spring, the

opposite end of the handle member being slidably inserted through the coacting slots and coacting with the notches in the slot of the side member when the runway of the switch box is aligned with one of the decks of the display box and the casing platform.

3. A device for playing with balls games usually em ploying playing cards according to claim 1, comprising means "for segregating balls in the drum in the bottom position of the drum platform for the delivery of one of the segregated balls to each channel of said platform in the top position thereof, said means comprising a trough pivotally disposed transversely of and adjacent the inner end of the drum platform, the trough having formed therein a longitudinal opening greater than the diameter of a ball, means for dividing the trough transversely into a plurality of compartments, said compartments being adapted for alignment with the channels of the drum platform in the top position, weight means for maintaining the longitudinal opening in the trough upwardly directed in the bottom position, and means in the drum for directing the balls into the compartments of the upwardly dimediate the drum platform in the up position and the display box and with the base of the support aligned with the lower deck, the side of the support adjacent the display box being divided into a plurality of stalls aligned with the channels of the lower deck, a guide pivotally disposed at the top of the support and coacting with the drum platform, a second guide pivotally disposed adjacent the inner end of the upper deck, the guides having channels co-acting with the channels of the upper deck and the channels of the platform, and means rotating either guide upwardly.

6. A device for playing with balls games usually employing playing cards, the device comprising a housing having an open front, a downwardly :and outwardly directed display box for the balls disposed in the open front of the housing, said box comprising an upper deck and a lower deck, means maintaining said decks in spaced and substantially parallel arrangement, said decks having formed on the top surfaces thereof a plurality of spaced and aligned longitudinal channels and the outer end of the lower deck terminating interiorly of the outer end of the upper deck at a distance greater than the diameter of a ball, elbow pockets removably disposed in the front of the housing below the outer end of the lower deck for receiving balls rolling through the channels of the lower deck, means removably securing the balls in the channels of the upper deck, and means for tilting the outer end of the box upwardly; the device further comprising a mixing drum for the balls, said drum having a rim, an axis disposed in the opposite end of the housing and supporting said drum for semi-rotation from a bottom position to a top position and vice-versa, said rim being perpendicular to a vertical plane through the longitudinal center lines of the decks of the display box, the rim of the drum having formed therein an inlet and ran outlet for the balls, the inlet being below the outlet when the inlet is in the bottom position, a multi-channeled drum platform disposed in the drum adjacent the outlet thereof, stop means intermediate the drum and the housing for maintaining said platform in the top position downwardly inclined in the plane of the upper deck ofthe display box with the channels of said platform aligned with the channels of the upper deck, means for segregating balls in the drum in the bottom position of the drum platform for the delivery of one of the segregated balls to each channel of said platform in the top position thereof, a casing platform disposed in the housing, said casing platform being downwardly and inwardly inclined from a point adjacent the inner end of the lower deck of the display box, and stop means intermediate the drum and the housing for maintaining the drum inlet in the top position of the drum platform substantially aligned with the casing platform, and a switch box pivotally disposed in the housing intermediate the outer end of the drum platform in the top position thereof and the inner end of the display box, the switch box :being adapted in one position to direct the bails out of the channels of the drum platform in the top position to the channels of the upper deck and in a second position to the channels of the lower deck and in a third position to the casing platform for return to the drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,334,093 Hickey Nov. 9, 1943 2,555,132 Hickey May 29, 1951

Images