IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,070,167
Granted Patent B1
US 8,070,167 · App. 12/984,982 · Granted Dec 6, 2011

Vacuum crane pick-up device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,070,167
App. No.
12/984,982
Granted
Dec 6, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

An arcade game pick-up device for use with hollow cylindrical targets that can be picked-up by applying a suction force to the bottom of the target, the pick-up device having a suction means and a control for reducing the tolerance between an impeding structure and the upper wall of the target to control the win percentage.

Claims (9)

1. A pick-up device for an arcade game for use with hollow cylindrical targets that can be picked-up by applying a suction force to the target, the pick-up device comprising:

a suction means for releasably acquiring the target; and

an impeding structure on the pick-up device that is adapted to prevent the pick-up device from acquiring the target if the impeding structure lands on an outer periphery of the target; and

at least one projection for reducing a tolerance between the impeding structure and the outer periphery of the target to control a player's win percentage.

2. The pick-up device of claim 1 , where the suction means is a suction cup.

3. The pick-up device of claim 1 , wherein the impeding structure is a ring that fits around the target.

4. The pick-up device of claim 3 , wherein the at least one projection is threaded into ring and projects radially inward.

5. The pick-up device of claim 1 , wherein the impeding structure is a disk that fits into the target.

6. The pick-up device of claim 5 , wherein the at least one projection is threaded into disk and projects radially outward.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 6, 2018
From: SHOEMAKER, STEPHEN P., JR.
To: STEPHEN P. SHOEMAKER TRUST
Reel/Frame 044846/0375 →