Ball Dispensing Mechanism for Arcade Games

Abstract

A ball dispensing mechanism (5) for an arcade game which automatically dispenses balls (16) from a rotating turret (10) positioned centrally, between the player's legs. The rotation allows balls (16) to be dispensed for both left and right handed players.

1 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) for an arcade game having:
 a. a receiving portion for receiving a ball to be dispensed;   b. an outlet ( 14 ) for allowing a ball received to be dispensed from the mechanism ( 5 ), wherein   c. said dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) is rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis X and rotatable between a first position in which it dispenses a ball to a first side (A) and a second position in which it dispenses a ball to a second side (B) opposite to said first side.   
     
     
         2 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  for an arcade game which automatically dispenses balls ( 16 ) from a rotating outlet ( 14 ) positioned centrally, between the player's legs allowing balls ( 16 ) to be dispensed for both left and right handed players. 
     
     
         3 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which balls ( 16 ) are automatically dispensed 
     
     
         4 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which the ball outlet ( 14 ) can rotate in order to deliver balls to either the left (A) or right (B) hand side of the mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  whereby the centrality of mounting allows it reside between a players feet and legs in a natural stance and cause no obstacle to the natural travel of the club/stick in either a left or right handed stance. 
     
     
         6 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  which facilitates players to engage the dispensed balls ( 16 ) from either a left or right handed stance. 
     
     
         7 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which an integrated handle ( 12 ) facilitates the manual rotation of the turret ( 10 ) and thus the direction of delivery of the balls ( 16 ) to the player. 
     
     
         8 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which the rotation of the turret ( 10 ) and thus the direction of delivery of the balls ( 16 ) is actuated either manually or powered. 
     
     
         9 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which balls ( 16 ) are supplied to a motor driven drive wheel along an inclined delivery path via gravity. 
     
     
         10 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which balls ( 16 ) are driven via a drive wheel ( 26 ), to follow an upward path, via a simple rotational coupling ( 24 ) to a outlet ( 14 ) which is above the playing surface ( 30 ) and which can be rotated to alter the direction and thus position of delivery of the balls ( 16 ) to the player. 
     
     
         10 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which balls ( 16 ) are driven via a drive wheel ( 26 ) and the drive wheel ( 26 ) is controlled via an optical sensor ( 38 ) which senses balls ( 16 ) exiting the outlet ( 14 ). 
     
     
         11 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which the ball delivery turret ( 10 ) is mounted through the playing surface on 2 bearings ( 20 ) acting to both support the turret ( 10 ) and to facilitate its rotation. 
     
     
         12 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which the ball delivery turret ( 10 ) is retained by bearings ( 22 ) fixed to the turret ( 10 ) 
     
     
         13 . A ball dispensing mechanism ( 5 ) according to  claim 1  in which the extent of the angle of rotation of the turret ( 10 ) is controlled by an extended bearing fixing shaft ( 34 ) on one bearing ( 22 ) which acts against  2  of the bearing spacers ( 32 ) to provide a rotational stop.