Rotatable reel indexing having shock absorbing capability

摘要

An improved amusement or game device of the type which has one or more indicia-bearing rotatable reels which are rotated upon initiation of play by a player is disclosed. The game device has an improved main drive mechanism which permits the player to vary the initial rotational speed of the reels in direct proportion to the speed in which an associated operating handle is pulled. A supplemental drive mechanism is included for increasing the speed of the reels if the player fails to pull the operating handle with sufficient force to rotate the reels at a predetermined minimum speed. The device also includes an improved indexing mechanism having shock absorbing capability for stopping the reels in accordance with the operation of the game device. The game device also includes mechanism for absorbing excessive energy that may be provided by a player pulling the operating handle with extraordinary speed or force. A mechanism is also included for providing slight resistance to movement of the reels subsequently of enablement of the game device and immediately before pulling of the operating handle, during which time the reels are otherwise free to rotate since neither the main drive mechanism, the supplemental drive mechanism nor the indexing mechanism is engaged at this time.