Pulley system for positioning an arcade game pick-up device

{
  "publication_number": "US11313443B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Pulley system for positioning an arcade game pick-up device",
  "abstract": "A system for maneuvering a pick-up device such as a vacuum, claw, or other crane for an arcade game or the like comprises a metallic frame and two motors. A mount is suspended over the frame and the movement of the mount is managed by monofilament loops rotated by the motors using a set of four stacks of pulleys. The arrangement of the pulleys allows the mount and pick-up device to be easily maneuvered anywhere within the frame.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pulley system for positioning an arcade game pick-up device, comprising: a metal rectangular frame having two pairs of parallel sides each having an upper surface; first and second electric motors each having a rotating shaft; a first monofilament loop partially wound about the rotating shaft of the first electric motor and a second monofilament loop partially wound about the rotating shaft of the second electric motor; first and second pairs of blocks, said first pair of blocks retaining a first rod therebetween and the second pair of blocks retaining a second rod therebetween, the first pair of blocks each sliding on an upper surface of the first pair of parallel sides of the metal rectangular frame and the second pair of blocks each sliding on a respective upper surface of the second pair of parallel sides of the metal rectangular frame, each block further comprising a through hole for receiving and clamping a portion of one of the first and second monofilament loops passing therethrough; a mount disposed at an intersection of the first and second rods and configured to move laterally in response to a movement of the first pair of blocks and to a movement of the second pair of blocks; first, second, third and fourth stacks of pulleys each positioned on a respective corner of the metal rectangular frame and each pulley engaging one of the first and second monofilament loops; wherein the monofilament loops and pulleys are arranged so that the first pair of blocks move in a first lateral direction when the first electric motor rotates the first monofilament loop and the second pair of blocks move in a second lateral direction when the second electric motor rotates the second monofilament loop, the first lateral direction and the second lateral direction being orthogonal to one another; and wherein the mount is maneuverable anywhere within the metal rectangular frame by actuating the first and second electric motors to control the position of the intersection of the first and second rods.",
    "2. The pulley system of claim 1, wherein each block includes a fastener disposed perpendicular to the through hole for fixing the portion of the monofilament loop therein.",
    "3. The pulley system of claim 1, wherein a pick-up device is suspended from the mount.",
    "4. The pulley system of claim 1, wherein one of the stacks of pulleys comprises a first reversing pulley to reverse the direction of the first monofilament loop and second reversing pulley to reverse the direction of the second monofilament loop."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Arcade games of the type where a crane moves within a confined space and then lowers to pick up a prize is well known in the art. To manage control of the pick-up device, the most common mechanism moves one rod with the up/down motor and positioning motor in the center. This rod mechanism is moved along another rod. The system may use belts to control the movement of the rails and one or two-way motors that respond to commands from a control center to rotate the belts in the correct direction and position. This system requires larger motors and are weakened by friction, drag, weight, and vibration/bouncing. Another system manages control of the pick-up device by moving along first rail while the rail itself moves along a second rail, such as the system found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,539,496 to the present inventor, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. This system requires that he pick-up device is controlled by the two moving rods that are driven from one end and slide on the other end. Both of these systems use belts, screws, gears, etc. to control the movement of the rails and bi-directional motors that respond to commands from a control center to move the pick-up device mechanically in the correct direction and position.\n\nThe present invention is a pulley system for moving two crossing rods that support a pick-up device in a game or machine where the position of the pick-up device is controlled by two motors mounted on or adjacent a rectangular frame.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16H 19/06",
    "A63F 9/30",
    "F16H 2019/0686",
    "F16H 2019/069",
    "G07F 17/3216",
    "G07F 17/3297"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63F 9/30",
    "F16H 19/06",
    "G05G 11/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Stephen P Shoemaker Trust"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr."
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-11-02",
  "publication_date": "2022-04-26",
  "grant_date": "2022-04-26",
  "priority_date": "2021-11-02",
  "application_number": "US-202117517498-A",
  "family_id": "81259764",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
  "citations": [
    "US4550503A",
    "US4778176A",
    "US5967892A",
    "US6139429A",
    "US7857318B1",
    "US8016292B1",
    "US9539496B1",
    "US20190076747A1"
  ]
}