This invention relates to game apparatus and particularly but not exclusively apparatus which can be used as a coin operated skill game

According to the present invention there is provided game apparatus comprising a playing surface having a plurality of marker locations thereon, an object freely movable across the surface, means for varying the inclination of the surface and thereby varying the direction of movement of the object; and means for indicating when the object reaches one of the marker locations.

The surface is preferably divided into a plurality of discrete zones. A plurality, and desirably two, marker locations may be provided in each zone and the indicating means may show which of the marker locations is reached in a zone.

In a preferred embodiment two types of marker locations are provided, each zone comprising one of each type of location. The apparatus may correspond to a game of 'noughts and crosses' in that the playing surface is divided into nine squares each including a

'nought' marker location and a 'cross' marker location suitably decorated. The indicating means may similarly comprise nine squares arranged to form a larger square, and a 'nought' or' cross' may be indicated in each of the squares as is appropriate.

The object may comprise a ball and the marker locations may each comprise a hole through which the ball can drop. A sensor may be provided in or adjacent each hole to sense a ball passing therethrough and send a corresponding signal to the indicating means.

Alternatively the marker locations may each comprise a sensor which sends a signal to the indicating means when the ball passes thereover. The marker loations may comprise one or more electrical contacts.

The indicating means may be arranged so as to display the first of the marker locations reached by the object in each zone until the apparatus is reset.

The playing surface may be. pivotal about a first axis and mounted in a frame pivotal about a second axis, the first axis being aligned substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

A cam may be provided beneath the surface and/or

frame such that rotation thereof causes the surface to pivot about the respective axis. The or each cam may be connected to control knobs. Alternatively, one or more motors may be provided to tilt the surface. The motor may be operable by a joystick.

Where the marker locations each comprise a hole a means may be provided for locating a ba;; on the surface, and also for returning a ball to the surface which has passed through one of the holes.

Means may be provided for projecting the ball onto the playing surface at speed. The playing surface may comprise a border around which the ball travels as it slows down after initial projection.

The invention also provides a coin operated skill game machine comprising game apparatus according to any of the preceding ten paragraphs wherein pay-outs are made if one or more combinations of marker locations are sequentially reached by the object.

Means may be provided for the apparatus to indicate which combination or combinations of marker locations must be sequentially reached to provide a pay out .

Means may be provided for a player to select which combination or combinations will provide a pay-out. Timing means may be provided such that no pay-out will be received and/or the machine will be deactivated if the object does not reach a marker loction within a given time period.

Means may also be provided for deactivating the machine after a pay out or after an incorrect sequence of marker locations has been reached until the machine is reactivated by insertion of the correct coin or coins.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of game apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and

Fig. A is a sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 2.

The drawings show a coin operated skill game machine 10 comprising a playing arrangement 12 and a display 14. The arrangement 12 comprises a flat square playing surface 16 marked at nine locations corresponding to the squares on a noughts and crosses board with a nought 18 and cross 20 adjacent thereto. A hole 22 is provided through each nought 18 and cross 20 through which a ball (not shown) used in the machine 10 may pass.

A microswitch 24 (Fig. 4) is provided immediately below the opening to each hole 22 and is connected to the display 14 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. Beneath the holes 22 is a collection tray 26 which has a shallow V-shape which directs balls passing through the holes 22 to be returned to play. The balls are directed back into play by using a control 28 located on the front of the machine 10 which actuates either a ball lift or solenoid actuated trigger to return the ball to the surface 16.

The surface 16 is pivotally mounted on a pair of pins 30 towards the front of the square 16 to a square frame 32. The frame 32 is pivotally mounted by a pair

of pins 34 towards the left hand end of the frame 32 to the surrounding part of the machine 10. A rotatable bar 36 is located extending beneath the frame 32 and surface 16 towards the righthand end thereof. The bar 36 mounts a pair of spaced cams 38 which locate respectively beneath the front and back of the frame 32 adjacent the side edges thereof. A control knob 40 mounted on the end of the bar 36 is provided on the front of the machine 10 to permit rotation of the bar 36 and thus, sideways pivotting of the frame 32 and hence surface 16. A similar arrangement (not shown) is provided beneath the surface 16 towards the back thereof and is connected to a further control 42 thereby permitting front and back pivotting of the surface 16.

The display 14 comprises a square panel 44 divided into nine square portions 46 in the manner of a noughts and crosses board. Behind each portion 46 is a double image unit of the type described in the Applicant's pending European Patent Application No. 89310855.5. Each unit can either show a nought or a cross depending on which lamp or set of lamps is lit.

In use, a ball is fed on to the surface 16 which can be tilted as required by the controls 40, 42 to direct the ball towards a required hole 22. When the ball passes through a hole 22 a nought or cross,

whichever is appropriate, is displayed on the respective portion 46 on the panel 44. The ball is then returned onto the surface 16 and an attempt is made to secure a line of noughts or crosses on the panel 44 by this method. Once one of the portions 46 is lit this will remain lit with the respective symbol until the end of a particular game. Once it becomes impossible to obtain a line of noughts or crosses anywhere on the panel 44 the game will then cease. To play again a further coin or coins will be required which will reset the machine 10. If required, buttons can be used such that a particular line or lines has to be obtained or lines can only be obtained of noughts or crosses. If the player is successful in achieving the required line then a suitable pay-out will be made which would obviously be higher than the pay-out made for achieving any nonspecified line.

There is thus described a game machine with an element of skill which provides a ready indication of a player's progress. The construction of the machine is relatively simple and thus the machine can be inexpensively and robustly manufactured.

In an alternative embodiment no holes are provided through the playing surface but a sensor is provided on each nought and cross. The sensors, which may comprise

electrical contacts, send a corresponding signal to the display when the ball has passed thereover. The ball remains on the playing surface at all times but at least the electrical contacts if not the whole playing surface, is deactivated except immediately after a player has inserted the correct coin or coins into the . machine and is playing the game. The machine preferably provides an indication to a player of the sequence or sequences of nought and crosses he must reach with the ball to win a payout.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the ball may be fired on to the surface at speed. In this instance the surface may be provided with a circular border around which the ball will travel as it slows down. Different methods may be used for retrieving balls that have passed through the holes or for directing balls on to the playing surface. The tilting of the surface may be accomplished by different means. Instead of the cams, one or more motors could be used to tilt the surface. The surface could be mounted on a ball and socket joint or other types of joints to permit the required tilting. Different control knobs could be used other than those illustrated, and for example a joystick may be used.