The Clown Catcher operates by pushing the ball to the top of the play field and then dropping the ball through a set of steel pins.  The clown is operated by a knob on the front of the machine. The idea is to catch the ball in the clowns cup.  If successful a bell rings, a token is paid out and a free ball is given.  In 1912 Judge Scrutton found that it took skill to play the game and the  device was declared a legally acceptable game!