FR2470623A1 - Pinball machine - comprises ball detectors corresponding to each bumper and continuously running motor for actuating bumper mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a housing and a playing surface mounted on the housing, with the playing surface having at least one opening. A plunger is used to propel a ball toward the playing surface, and at least one ball detector element is movably mounted in the housing. Each ball detector element corresponds to at least one opening and has a ball detector surface positioned in the corresponding opening. At least one bumper member is movably mounted in the housing, each bumper member corresponding to one ball detector element. A motor is mounted within the housing and a bumper member actuating mechanism is connected to the motor for moving a bumper member in order to propel the ball away after it has encountered the ball detector surface of the corresponding detector element.

Description

 The present invention relates to a billiard table having an inclined playing surface through which protrude bumpers which repel the ball after it has encountered the ball detection surface of a corresponding bumper. A continuously running motor, housed inside the billiard box, is functionally connected to a stop actuation mechanism, which heaps a counting mechanism that can be reset to display the number of points relative to the number of "keys" on rotating display wheels, this mechanism periodically closing a lamp ignition switch to continuously flash a lamp visible through the billiard box, and also closing an acoustic switch to activate an acoustic generator when a "touch" occurs. The stopper actuation mechanism comprises a shaft driven in rotation by the motor, and, for each stopper and its corresponding ball-detecting element, a pair of actuating elements mounted on the shaft. This pair comprises an actuating element integral with the shaft having a rotating pinion with the shaft, and a rotating actuating element having a rotating pinion fixed on one of its sides to mesh with the pinion of the element. integral actuation, a stop on the other side, and a tooth on the periphery.

When the ball rolls against the detection surface of the balls of a ball detector element, a stop on this detector element is released from the stop on the rotating actuating element, thus allowing the latter to rotate until that the tooth on its periphery meets a stop plate recalled upwards and arranged below the shaft. This rotation of the rotating actuating element brings the rotating pinion located on one of its sides into engagement with a toothed rack on the corresponding stopper, so that the rotation of the shaft. continuing the stopper is pulled down, hitting the ball to push it back while simultaneously hitting the stop plate to dislodge the tooth extending from the periphery of the rotating actuator. imposed by the stop plate, the rotating actuating element rotates until its stop is again engaged with the stop on the ball detecting element.

Actuating fingers or flippers, left and right, which can be controlled independently of one another, are installed above a gutter for collecting balls made in the billiard box and a mechanism for advancing Presettable balls limit the number of possible transfers of the ball from the gutter collecting the balls to a plunger actuated by a spring to propel the ball towards the playing surface. It appears from the above that the billiard table of the present invention has a full range of features, while being able to be built very inexpensively, because the stopper actuation mechanism, the display mechanism and the ball advance mechanism, driven by the motor, all operate mechanically without using solenoids or complex electrical components. In addition, although the acoustic switch can be used to indicate a "key" in order to activate a vibrator or any other inexpensive transducer, it has been found that the acoustic generator circuit described below produces a sound for two. tones with a prolonged attenuation characteristic perfectly simulating the sound emitted by the much more expensive arcade billiards.

 The present invention therefore proposes a billiard table comprising a box, a playing surface mounted on the box, and having at least one opening, means for propelling a ball in the direction of this playing surface, at least one ball detecting element mounted on movable in the crate, each of these ball detecting elements corresponding to an opening in the playing surface and having a ball detection surface located in the corresponding opening, at least one stopper mounted movably in the crate, each stopper corresponding to a ball detecting element, a motor mounted inside the box and a stopper actuation mechanism functionally connected to the motor to move the stopers and push the ball back after it has encountered the detection surface balls from the corresponding ball detector.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description, given below by way of example only, of a preferred embodiment, in conjunction with the attached drawing, in which
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the billiard table of the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a top view of the billiard table with the transparent cover and the sheet constituting the playing surface removed;
- Figure 3 is a top view of the plunger and the associated ball advance mechanism to limit the number of times the ball can be brought into play, and it generally represents the movement of the plunger, the rotation of the reset wheel which determines the number of strokes or games remaining to be played and 3rd movement of the arm which pushes the ball towards the plunger;
- Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the plunger and the ball advance mechanism shown in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the right pinball machine and its cooperation with the control element of the right pinball machine;
- Figure 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2, generally showing the movement of the ball against the ball detection surface of a ball detector, the downward movement of the detector balls to release a stop carried by it from a stop protruding from a rotating actuating element, this rotating element until a tooth on its periphery meets the edge of a stop plate to rotate a pinion rotatably mounted on one side of the rotating actuating element to bring it into engagement with a toothed rack fixed on a stopper, and the downward movement resulting from the stopper to strike the ball and dislodge the tooth from the plate stop, thus allowing the rotating actuating element to return to its initial position;
- Figure 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 2 and shows a stopper having a shape slightly different from the shape of the stopper illustrated in Figure 6; ;
- Figure 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 7 and shows the downward movement of this portion of the stopper extending above the playing surface when it strikes a ball which has encountered the ball detection surface of the corresponding ball detector;
- Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the movement of the elements in the acoustic switch in response to the movement of the stop plate when it is pressed to release the teeth on the periphery of an element rotating actuation;
- Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the rotating shaft of the stopper actuation mechanism, two actuation elements, integral and rotating, corresponding to each pair of a stopper and a ball detector, the movement of a hook-leaving from the stop plate to prevent the rotational movement from being transferred from the rotating shaft of the stopper actuation mechanism to the counting mechanism, except when "keys" occur, and the periodic closing of the lamp ignition switch in response - the rotation of the teeth starting from a pinion driven in rotation by an endless screw mounted on the rotating shaft of the stopper actuation mechanism;
- Figure 11 is a view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 2, generally showing the counting mechanism;
- Figure 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 11 and shows the downward movement of the reset element to bring elastic fingers against cams on the display elements rotatably mounted to bring them back to their original positions;
- Figure 13 is a view taken along line 13-13 of the figull and shows a piece of elastic metal meeting a cam on a pinion to correctly position the figures on a display element tourm nt ;;
- Figure 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of Figure 11 and shows the toothed sector at the end of a first display element coming into momentary engagement with a pinion which rotates the element displaying at a small angle each turn of the first display element;
- Figure 15 is a diagram showing the electrical circuit of the acoustic generator, which can be used against the acoustic switch and a speaker mounted on the billiard box; and
- Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the batteries, the main switch controlling the operation of the pool table, the motor to drive the stopper actuation mechanism, the periodic closing switch driven by the actuation mechanism buffers to flash a lamp when the main switch is closed and the acoustic switch which is closed by the actuation mechanism of the buffers when a "button" occurs to emit an acoustic frequency signal that the acoustic generator sends to the speaker.

 Figure 1 shows the billiard table 18 of the present invention, which comprises a plastic box 20 having a transparent cover 22 through which one can see a playing surface 24, which can be in the form of a metal sheet 26 carrying decorative patterns. The cover 22 is sufficiently spaced from the playing surface 24 to allow a metal rod 28 to roll thereon and has a guide flange 30 for guiding the ball 28 in the upper portions of the playing surface 24, elongated stops 32, 34 and 36, cylindrical stops 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46, chicane edges 48 and 50, and guide edges 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 64, 68 and 70. An elastic band 72 is wound around the cylindrical stops 40 and 42 to form a rebound surface for the ball 28; likewise, an elastic band 74 is surrounded around the cylindrical stops 44 and 46. An elastic cylinder 76 is arranged around the cylindrical stop 38 to receive the ball 28 and return it towards the middle of the playing surface 24. buffers 78, 80 and 82 protrude upwards towards the cover 22 through circular openings 84, 86, and 88 in the playing surface 24; portions of buffers 90 and 92 project upwards towards the cover 22 in the vicinity of the baffles 48 and 50 respectively, through rectangular openings 94 and 96 (not shown) in the playing surface 24.

Cylindrical posts 98 and 100, on which the actuating fingers or flippers 102 and 104 are mounted to rotate, extend upwards from the playing surface 24 through holes 106 and 108 in the sheet 26. A gutter for collecting the balls 110 (see FIG. 2) is provided in the box 20 at the bottom of the playing surface 24 to collect the ball 28 when it is no longer in play.

 Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, the box 20 has a recess 112 in which there is a hole 114 through which the reset wheel 116 protrudes. A window 118 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the box 20 in the vicinity of the hole 114 so as to be able to see the numbers marked on the reset wheel 116 to inform the player of the number of games remaining. The body 20 also has an opening 120 through which extends a plunger 122. In addition, the body 20 has openings 124 and 126 (not shown) through which protrude pinball control elements 128 and 130 (see figure 2). Rear legs 132 and 134 (not shown) extend downward from the body 20 to: tilt the playing surface 24 in a general downward direction. A housing 136 having an elongated switch opening 138, an opening elongated reset 140 (not shown), display openings 142, a speaker grille 144 and a lamp opening 146, is part of the body 29 and is permanently attached thereto by suitable means, for example screws. A main switch lever 148 extends through the switch opening 138, a reset member 150 extends through the reset opening 140 and a translucent cover 152 can be used to cover the lamp opening 146.

 We will now describe the operation of billiards 18.

Referring to Figure 2, the actuation mechanism of the buffers 154 comprises a shaft 156, which pivots inside the body 20. Actuating elements 158, 160, 162, 164, 166 are integral with the 'tree 156 in places spaced from each other. A rotary actuating element is rotatably mounted on the shaft 156 in the immediate vicinity of each integral actuating element, these rotating actuating elements being designated 168, 170, 172, 174 and 176. A pinion 178 is integral with the shaft 156 and is arranged to mesh with a pinion 180 fixed on the shaft 182 of the motor 184, which supplies its power to the actuation mechanism 154. The motor 184 is mounted inside the body 20 of a way well known in the art, for example by being enclosed in vertical walls projecting from the body 20. Although it is not shown in FIG. 2, an elongated stop plate 186 (FIG. 9) is part of the mechanism 154 and is articulated on the body 20 below the integral actuating elements 158 to 166, and their corresponding rotating actuating elements 168 to 176.
A mounting pin 188 is provided at each end of the stop plate 186 to be pivotally mounted on the bottom of the body 20. A stiffening rod 190 can be fixed on the plate 186 to stiffen it sufficiently if the latter this is a flexible material.

We now refer to Figure 6; rectangular uprights 192 and 194 (this not shown) having notches 196 and 198 (the latter not shown) run parallel to each other, in the direction of the playing surface 24, of the plastic material constituting the bottom of the box 20. A bile detector 200 is provided with pins 202 (not shown) and 204 at one of its ends, these pins being intended to be introduced into the respective notches 196 and 198 so as to pivot the detector 200. A rod 206 is fixedly arranged in the notches 196 and 198, above the element 200, to prevent the pins 202 and 204 from being dislodged. A hollow cylinder 208 protrudes towards the top of the plastic forming the box 20 to support a spring 210 in order to bring up the element 200, with its detection surface of the balls 212 projecting through a circular opening 84. it appears that, when a ball 28 rolls on a surface of detection of the balls 212 s 1 element 200 pivots against the restoring force of the spring 210 to move down the stop 214 provided at the free end of the element 200.

Still in FIG. 6, rectangular uprights 216 and 218 (the latter not shown), similar to the uprights 192 and 194, run upwards, parallel to each other, from the plastic material forming the box 20. These uprights 216 and 218 which are not as high as the uprights 192 and 194, are provided with mounting holes 220 (not shown) and 222 (not shown) through which a mounting rod 224 passes. An arm 226 of a stopper 79 has a mounting hole 228 through which the rod 224 extends so as to pivotally mount the stopper 78 below the detector 200, a portion 230 of the stopper 78 extending upwards through an opening 232 in the surface 212 of the ball detector 200. Although this is not shown in FIG. 6, the stopper 78, like the ball detector 200, is brought up by a cylindrical spring 234 (not shown) housed inside a hollow cylinder 236 (not shown) extending upwards plastic forming the box 20. It appears from the above that the ball detector 200 and the stopper 78 are both pivotally mounted inside the box 20 so as to be able to move independently one on the other, the portion 230 of the stopper 78 movably extending through an opening 232 in the detection surface of the balls 212. The ball detector 200 and the stopper 78 are both biased upwards by a spring and can move independently of each other down against the restoring force. The ball detector 200 moves down the distance allowed by the hollow cylinder 208, when the ball 28 rolls against the detection surface of the balls 212 or meets it; We will now briefly describe the structure responsible for the downward movement of the stopper 78 against its restoring force.

For this, reference is made to FIG. 10. It is recalled that the actuation mechanism of the buffers 154 comprises a shaft 156 on which are mounted integral actuating elements 158, 160, 162, 154 and 166 with their elements corresponding rotary actuation 168, 170, 172, 174 and 176. The motor 184 permanently rotates the shaft 156 by means of the pinions 178 and 180. The integral actuating element 166 and its corresponding rotating actuating element 176, which can be seen in FIG. 10, are representative of the other pairs of actuating elements mounted on the shaft 156. The actuating element 166 is a single piece of plastic comprising a spacer portion 238 , a flange 240 and a pinion 242. The rotary actuating element 176 is also one-piece, made of plastic, and comprises a stop 244 on one side, a mounting pivot 246 on the other side, and a tooth 248 on its periphery. A pinion 250 is rotatably mounted on the pivot 246 and is held in place in a sandwiched state between the body of the element 176 and the flange 240 of the element 166. it appears that, although the element of actuation 176 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 156, the friction forces cause it to rotate with the actuating member 166, unless the member 176 is retained. The pinion 250, which meshes with the pin 242, will be rotated by the latter when the actuating element 176 is prevented from rotating.

We now return to Figure 6; the constituent elements of the integral actuating element 164 and of the rotating actuating element 174 shown in FIG. 6, are identified by the same references as those designating the constituent elements of the actuating elements 166 and 176 of the Figure 10. It will appear to specialists in this technique that, when the ball detector 200 is in its normal position, the stop 214 at its end meets the stop 244 of the rotating actuating element 174 so as to prevent it from rotate with the integral action element 164. In this normal position, the pinion 242 of the integral actuating element 164 rotates the pinion 250 carried by the rotating actuating element 174, but this pinion 250 does not cannot mesh with other elements in the normal position so that its rotation is not transmitted When the ball 28 meets the detection surface of the balls 212 of the ball detector 200, the stop 214 is moved towards the low and disengaged from the stop 244 in doing so, it allows the rotary actuating element 174 to rotate with the -solid actuating element 164 until the tooth 248 meets the edge 252 of the allon stop plate - yée 186. The engagement of the tooth 248 with the edge 252 prevents any subsequent rotation of the rotating actuating member 174 and rotates the pinion 250 in mesh with a toothed rack 254 fixed to an arm 256 of the stopper 78 The arm 256 is curved below the height portion 238 of the actuating element 164, so as to prevent any contact with this portion. The tooth 248 being in contact with the edge 252 and the pinion 250 meshing with both the toothed rack 254 and the pinion 242 of the actuating element 164, any new rotation of the shaft 156 rapidly displaces the stopper 78 so that its portion 230 strikes the ball 28 and flushes out. A spring 258 is disposed between the stop plate 186 and the body 20 to push up the stop plate 186 which pivots around the pins 188 from its edge 260. After the toothed rack 254 has moved down, it meets the stop plate 186 and moves it down against the force of the spring 258, thus releasing the tooth 248 from the edge 252. This release allows the rotary actuating element 174 to resume its rota: tinn until its stop 214 again meets the stop 244 of the ball detector 200, which has been brought back to its initial position by the spring 210, after the ball 28 has been expelled. Similarly, the rotation of the ac element tion 174 releases the pinion 250 from its gear with the toothed rack 254, allowing the spring 234 to return the stopper 78 to its original position.

 We now return to Figure 9; the acoustic switch 262 comprises elastic mechanical elements 264 and 266 fixed to the body 20 and extending below the stop plate 186. When the rack 254 pushes the stop plate 186 in the aforementioned manner, the elements 264 and 266 come into electrical contact to close the acoustic switch 262. The elasticity of these elements opens the switch 262 when the stop plate 186 has returned to its normal position. The purpose of switch 262 will be explained below in conjunction with the electrical circuit of billiards 18.

 I1 will appear to specialists in this technique that the stopper 80 cooperates with the actuation mechanism of the stopper 154 exactly the same, so that the stopper 78, which has been described in connection with FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the buffers 78 and 80 are adjacent to each other in the upper part of the box 20. The buffers 82, 90 and 92, which are mounted in the lower portion of the box 20, operate in a very similar manner , the main difference being due to the fact that the toothed racks provided on each stopper 82, 90 and 92 are mounted on the same side of the shaft 156. For example, the toothed rack 254 of the stopper 78 faces the mounting rod 224, and the arm 256 supporting the toothed rack 254 is curved below the shaft 156. On the contrary, FIG. 7 shows that the toothed rack provided on the stopper 90 turns its back at its pivot point and that the supporting arm this rack does not extend beyond the shaft 156. Due to the similarities in structure and operation, the buffers mounted in the lower part of the body 20 will only be briefly described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows a ball detector 268, having a ball detection surface 270 and a stop 272, articulated in the body 20, the surface 270 projecting through the rectangular opening 94. The stop 90, having a rectilinear arm 274 supporting the toothed rack 276, is articulated in the body 20 below the detector 268, with a portion 278 of this stopper extending through an opening 280 in the ball detector 268. Springs 282 and 284 (not shown) remind - upwards the stopper 90 and the ball detector 268. When the ball 28 meets the detection surface of the balls 270, the stop 272 is moved down and released from the stop 24e on the rotating actuating element 176 , which allows the latter to rotate until the tooth 248 meets the edge 252, where the pinion 250 rotates in cooperation with the toothed rack 276, which then moves downward to strike the portion 278 against the ball 28 and push in the backplate elongated 186. The acoustic switch 262 is momentarily closed, and the elements are returned to their original positions while awaiting the return of a ball 28
FIG. 8 shows the action of the stopper 90 striking the ball 28 to drive it out.

 Returning again to FIG. 2, the elongated display element 51 is articulated in the body 20 and includes an arm 524 resting on an arm 526 projecting from the ball detector 200. Portions 528 of the element 514 project through elongated openings 530 in the playing surface 24 It appears that, when the ball 28 rolls between the stops 32 and 3a or between the stops 34 and 36, the element 514 is depressed and this movement is transferred by the arms 524 and 526 to the ball detector 200, and thence to the mechanism for actuating the buffers 154.

 We will now describe, in connection with FIG. 10, the elements functionally connecting the actuation mechanism of the buffers 154 to the display mechanism 286. A stop collar 288 is secured to the shaft 156 in the vicinity of a pinion. 290 which is frictionally mounted on the shaft 156.

A spring 292 is placed around the shaft 156 between the rotary actuating element 176 and the pinion 290 to apply the latter against the collar 288. The friction contact thus obtained causes the pinion 290 to rotate with the shaft 156, unless such rotation is prevented. A shaft 294 pivots in the body 20, perpendicular to the shaft 156. An element 296 fixed to the end of the shaft 294 is equipped with a central field wheel 198 which meshes with the pinion 290, and a circular flange 300. A stop 302 is provided on the flange 300, far from the periphery thereof, and is arranged to cooperate with a hook 304 extending upwards of the elongated stop plate 186, when the latter this is in its normal or high position. The cooperation of the stopper 302 and the hook 304 prevents the element 296 from rotating, so that the pinion 190 cannot either rotate and that no rotational movement is transmitted. to the shaft 294. However, when a stop pushes the stop plate 186, the hook 304 is moved downwards and released from the nozzle 302, which releases the element 296 and drives it in rotation by the kidney 290. I1 then appears that, when the ball 28 encounters a ball detector, the corresponding stopper is pressed to drive the ball 28 while simultaneously pushing the stop plate 186, thereby releasing the hook 304 from the stop 302 to release the element 296 for a single rotation. It is however not uncommon for the ball 28 to be propelled by a stopper on the ball detector associated with another stopper, a phenomenon which could be described under the name of "multiple touches". In this case, the second stopper, and possibly other stops, can push the stop plate 186 before the stopper 302 has turned to return to a position where it is engaged with the hook 304 after the initial touch, by so that each key in a sequence of multiple keys does not cause the shaft 294 to rotate. The configuration shown in Figure 10 allows the shaft 294 to turn one full turn after the ball 28 has encountered a ball detector 1 only if the stop 302 is engaged with the hook 304 when the corresponding stop pushes the plate 186; the display mechanism 286 is thus rendered insensitive to the keys which occur quickly after an initial "key". If desired, this insensitivity period can be reduced by having additional stops inward at the interior of the periphery of the flange 300 at appropriate intervals so that the member 296 does not rotate 3600 after an initial touch. in addition, a stop can be provided on the flange 300 in the vicinity of its periphery and 1800 from the stop 302 to engage the hook 304 when the plate 186 is depressed, but not when it is in its normal position 1 so temporarily preventing the rotation of the element 29Q during the multiple keys to adjust the rotation of the shaft 294. A pinion 306 is secured to the other end of the shaft 294.

 We now refer to Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 and we will now describe the operation of the display mechanism 286. The shaft 308 rotates inside a housing 136 of the body 20, while the trees 310 and 312 are mounted there, fixed. A field wheel 314 is fixed to one end of the shaft 308, and it meshes with the pinion 306, while a pinion 316 is secured to the other end of the shaft 308. A pinion 318 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 310 and is arranged to mesh with the pinion 316 and the pinion 320 mounted on a cylindrical element of mark 322. The mark element 322, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 312, is fitted with the pinion 320 and a cam 324 at one of its ends and a toothed sector 326 (see in FIG. 14) at the other end A paper 328, carrying three columns of numbers, is mounted around the periphery of the cylindrical element of brand 322. it is clear that each rotation of the shaft 294 is transmitted by the pinion 306 and the field wheel 314 to the shaft 308 and from there, via the pinions 316 and 318, to the pinion 320, so as to rotate the display element 322 and make three new digits appear through the display openings 142 In other words, each rotation of the element 296 advances the display element 322 so that the following three digits appear on the paper 328.

 Continuing to refer to FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, a cylindrical display element 330, having at one end a pinion 332 and a cam 334, and at the other end a toothed sector 336 (not shown) , is mounted in rotation on the shaft 312 in the vicinity of the display element 322. A pinion 338, of which a cam 340 leaves, is mounted in rotation on the shaft 310 and arranged to mesh with the pinion 332.

The pinion 338 also meshes with the toothed sector 326, so that, once and for all of the cylindrical display element 322, the latter rotates the pinion 332 via the toothed sector 326 and the pinion 338, thus displacing the cylindrical display element 330 by a small angle. A paper 342 bearing numbers is attached to the periphery of the element 330, so that the number visible through the corresponding display opening 142 advances once per revolution of the display element 322. The remaining cylindrical display element 344 is advanced in the same manner. The element 344, on the periphery of which is fixed a paper 346 bearing numbers, is rotatably mounted on the shaft 312 and is equipped with a cam 348 and a pinion 350. A pinion 352 from which a cam 254 , is mounted in rotation on the shaft 310 and is arranged to mesh with the pinion 350 and, once per revolution of the display element 330, with the toothed sector 336. An elastic mechanical element 356, having a bent part 358, is fixed on the housing 136 so that the portion 368 cooperates with the cams 340 and 354 to determine the positions of the display elements 330 and 344 each time they are advanced in order to center the numbers through the openings display 142.

 Continuing to refer to FIG. 12, an element 360 is equipped with a hook 362 and pins 164 and 166 (the latter not shown) intended to be introduced into openings in the housing 136 so that the element 360 is pivotally mounted. A spring 368 extends between the hook 362 and a hook 370 extending from the housing 136, so as to point upwards the rear part 372 of the element 360. This rear part 372 has holes 374 (not shown) intended to receive with play pins 376 (not shown) projecting from the reset element 150 which extends out of the housing 136 through an elongated reset opening 140.The element 360 is equipped with a finger flexible 378 arranged to cooperate with the cam 324, a flexible finger 380 (not shown) arranged to cooperate with the cam 334 and a flexible finger 382 (not shown) arranged to cooperate with the cam 348. It is clear that the depression of the reset element 150 pivots downward the portion 372 of the element 360, thus pressing the flexible finger 378 against the cam 324, the flexible finger 380 against the cam 334 and third flexible finger 382 against the cam 348 , which rotates the cylindrical display elements 322, 330 and 344 so that only zeros can be seen through the display openings 142.

Thereafter, a score representing the number of times that the element 286 has rotated, that is to say a score according to the number of times that the ball has encountered a ball detecting element, will be displayed through the display openings 142. In the previous phase, the term "function of" was used instead of "corresponding to" because, as should be recalled, during a sequence of multiple keys, certain encounters of the ball 28 with a ball detector, do not rotate the shaft 292 by 3600 in the described embodiment of billiards 18.

 A description will now be given of the operation of the lamp ignition switch 384, again referring to FIG. 10. A worm screw 386 is secured to the shaft 156, and a shaft 388 journals in the vicinity of the screw without end 386. A pinion 390 from which teeth 392 depart, is secured to the shaft 388 at a place in which it can mesh with the worm screw 386. Elastic metal elements 394 and 396 start from a sub-frame 398 ( not shown) inside the body 20, and are arranged at slightly spaced locations above the teeth 392. it is clear that the rotation of the shaft 156, under the influence of the motor 184, causes the pinion 390 for periodically bringing the teeth 392 in cooperation with the element 394, pushing the latter against the element 396, for periodically closing the lamp ignition switch 384. The function of this switch will be described below in connection with Figures 15 and 16.

 We will now describe the operation of the pinball machines 102 and 104 with reference to Figures 2 and 5. The box 20 has an elongated slot 400 with a vertical guide rib 402. Pinball control elements 128 and 130 are arranged at the interior of these elements comprising a slot 404 for receiving the guide rib 402. A spring 406 is disposed between the flipper control elements 128 and 130 and tends to push them away from one another. Each control element 128, 130 has a recess 408 with an elongated opening 410 through which extends a screw 412 (not shown) in the body 20, this screw serving to limit the movement of the control elements 128 and 130 when they move towards or away from each other. The control element 128 also includes a slot 414 to receive a pin 416 extending downwards from the pinball machine 104. Likewise, the pinball control element 130 includes a slot 418 (not shown) for receiving a stud 420 (not shown) starting from the pinball machine 102. It is clear that, when the pinball control element 128 is pressed, the slot 414 moves inward by driving with it the pin 416 to rotate the pinball machine 104, which returns to its normal position when the pinball control element 128 is released. Similarly, the depression of the pinball control element 130 makes it pivot upwards the pinball machine 102.

 We will now describe the operation of the ball 422 advancing mechanism with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

A sub-ch ssis 424 is part of the body 20 and is fixed to it in any suitable manner, for example by screws. The sub ch ssis 424 has guide edges 426, an elongated slot 428 between the guide edges 426, a stop 430 and a pin 432 in which a hole 434 is tapped and which is surrounded by a cam 436. A plunger 122 comprises a recess 438 for letting the finger pass, a stud 440, a ball receiving surface 442 and a hook 444.

A portion 446 leaving the plunger 122 has a notch 448 to avoid the stop 430 and a stud 450. The plunger 122, which is guided by the flanges 426, is mounted movably on the sub-chtssis 424 by a screw 452 not shown) which extends through the slot 428 in the stud 440.

A spring 454 which extends from the hook 444 to a hook 456 (not shown) on the sub-frame 424, recalls the plunger 122 in the body 20. it appears that, when the ball 28 arrives from the gutter for collecting the balls 110 in the vicinity of the surface 42, the player can introduce his finger into the recess 438, to remove the plunger 122 from the box 20; when the latter is released, it propels the ball 28 out of the surface 442 by the return action of the spring 454. A ball advancement element 458 has a slot 460 which can cooperate with the stud 450, a central opening 462 and an arm 464 ending in a stop 466 intended to cooperate with the balls The element 458 is mounted with the cam a36 passing through the central opening 462 and the stud 450 passing through the slot 460. The reset wheel zero 116 has a central cavity 468 in which a cylindrical portion 470 extends. Teeth 472 starting from this cylindrical portion 470 cooperate with the cam 436 to orient the reset wheel 116 which is mounted on the pin 432 above of element 454 by a screw 474 which passes through the spring 476 and is screwed into the tapped hole a34 One side of the reset wheel 116 has a semiweircular flange 478 from which a stopper 480 leaves while the other side has defined teeth 482 and 484 sant three recesses 486, 488 and 490. If desired, the reset wheel 116 may have markings, visible through a window 118, to indicate the number of times that a ball 28 can be pulled during from the rest of the game.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the reset wheel 116 has been rotated so that the stop 480 has come into contact with the stop 430; in this case, the ball can be pulled three times 28. When the latter is in the hollow 486, it is clear that, when the plunger 122 is pulled, the stud 450 extending through the slot 460 will rotate the the ball advancing element 458 and will push upwards the ball 28 on the inclined surface 492 in the direction of the surface 442. When the ball advances on this surface n92, it drives with it the wheel 116 by rotating it until that the teeth 472 are repositioned in the corresponding teeth of the cam 436.

The next time the ball 28 arrives in the gutter 110, it will roll in the hollow 488. By pulling the litter 122, the ball advancing element 458 will again be rotated as before, so that the stop 466 will push back the ball 28 towards the surface 442, the ball 28 being pushed against the tooth 482 during this movement to rotate the wheel 116 again. During the third shot, the ball 28 will be in the hollow 490 and the wheel 116 will rotate at again when the plunger 122 is pulled to propel the ball 28 towards the surface 442. At this time, the stop 480 will have turned to be against the stop 494 (not shown) provided on the sub-frame 424 to prevent any other Clockwise rotation of the ball 116. The next time the ball 28 arrives in the gutter 110, it will no longer meet recesses 486, 488 or 490, but on the contrary, it will meet the flange 478. If the plunger 122 is pulled again, the element 458 t will turn but the stop 466 cannot push the ball 28 over the flange 478 to the surface 492. The ball 28 thus remains in the gutter 110 instead of being sent to the surface 442 to prepare another stroke. The reset wheel 116 must be rotated manually anticlockwise before using the billiard 18 again.

Returning to FIG. 2, the box 20 comprises a battery compartment 496 accessible through a door 498 (not shown) which can be closed on the lower side of the box 20. A main switch 500 is mounted on the compartment 496 and is arranged such that a switch lever 148 extends through the elongated switch opening 138- in the body 20. A sub-frame 502, which is part of the body 20, is fixed on that -this in any appropriate way, for example by using retaining walls provided in the body 20. The sub-ssis 502 is equipped with an enclosure 504 inside which a lamp 505 is trapped behind the opening of lamp 146, and a speaker 506, of construction well known in the art, is mounted on the sub-ssis 502 behind the speaker grille 144. The sub-sisis 502 also carries a generator circuit board acoustic 508 (not shown) to send a frequency signal acoustic to speaker 506 ar, very close to acoustic switch 262
Reference is now made to FIGS. 15 and 16 and the electrical system used in billiards 18 will be described in connection with these figures. When the main switch 50Q is split, a circuit is formed through the motor 184e which immediately begins to rotate the shaft 156.

Rotation of the shaft 156 periodically closes the lamp ignition switch 384, so that the lamp 505 begins to flash. Closing the switch 500 also sends current to terminals 510 and 512 of the acoustic generator circuit 508, which emits a sound each time the movement of a stopper closes the acoustic switch 262
Although practically any type of oscillator circuit, and possibly a vibrator or a bell, can be used to emit a sound, it has been found that the circuit of FIG. 15 was perfectly adapted to produce a first sound when the switch 262 is closed, and a second sound of decreasing intensity immediately after opening of the switch 262. The resulting sound emitted by the speaker 506 closely resembles the sound produced by conventional billiard tables.

Claims (28)

 1. Billiards, characterized in that it comprises a box, a playing surface mounted on the box and having at least one opening, means for propelling a ball in the direction of this playing surface, at least one ball detecting element movably mounted in the crate, each of these ball detecting elements corresponding to an opening in the playing surface and having a ball detection surface located in the corresponding opening, at least one stopper movably mounted in the crate , each stopper corresponding to a ball detecting element, a motor mounted inside the box and a stopper actuation mechanism functionally connected to the motor to move the stopper and drive out the ball after it has encountered the surface of detection of the balls of the corresponding ball detector.  2. Billiard according to claim 1, characterized in that each ball detector can move between a high position close to the playing surface and a lower position further away from it, in that each stopper has a part s' extending above the ball detection surface of the corresponding ball detector and can move between a high position in which the stopper, with the exception of its part extending above the ball detection surface, is placed near the playing surface, and a low position in which the stopper, with the exception of its portion extending above the detection surface of the balls, is further from the playing surface and what return means recall in their high position each ball detector and each stopper.  3. Billiard according to claim 2, characterized in that each ball detector carries a stop, in that each stopper carries a toothed rack, and in that the actuation mechanism of the stopper comprises a swiveling shaft in the body and functionally connected to the motor, at least one actuating element carrying a pinion and integral with this shaft, each actuating element integral corresponding to a ball detector, at least one rotating actuating element carrying on one side a pinion which can rotate and on the other side a stopper, and mounted for rotation on the shaft, each rotating actuating element corresponding to a ball detector and being disposed adjacent to the corresponding integral actuating element, with its pinion mounted in rotation meshing with the pinion of the integral actuating element and with its stop arranged to cooperate with the stop of the corresponding ball detector when this ball detector is in posi tion high, means for retaining the rotating pinion in cooperation with the toothed rack of the corresponding stopper to move this corresponding stopper in the low position after the corresponding ball detector has been moved to its low position. 4. Billiard according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for retaining the rotating pinion engaged with the winded rack comprises at least one tooth mounted on the periphery of a rotating actuating element, a stop plate mounted at pivoting in the body below the shaft, and spring means for returning the stop plate towards the shaft to a position in which it cooperates with this tooth, the stop plate being driven from this tooth to release the retaining means of the rotating pinion when the stopper moves to its low position. 5 Billiard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crate comprises a gutter for collecting balls adjacent to the playing surface and in that a ball advance mechanism is functionally connected to these means for propelling a ball in the direction of the playing surface and limit to a predetermined number the number of times the ball can be propelled in the direction of this playing surface  6.Billard according to claim 5, characterized in that the ball advancing mechanism comprises a ball advancing element having an arm carrying a stop, this advancing element of the pins being rotatably mounted on the body in the vicinity of the ball collecting gutter and being functionally connected to the ball propelling means and in that a reset wheel is rotatably mounted on the body above the ball advancing element, this wheel resetting having a flange on one of its sides to prevent the abovementioned stop from moving the ball from the ball collecting gutter to the means for propelling the balls, and at least one tooth on the other side, which defines a multiplicity of recesses allowing the abovementioned stop to move a ball from the gutter from the gutter for collecting the balls to the means for propelling the balls.  7. Billiard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lamp is mounted on the body and in that means are functionally connected to the actuation mechanism of the stops to make this lamp flash.  8. Billiard table according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for flashing the lamp comprise an endless screw mounted on the actuation mechanism of the stops, a pinion having teeth starting from one of its surfaces and mounted in rotation in the crate engaged with the worm and a lamp ignition switch mounted in the crate and arranged to be periodically attacked by these teeth. 9. Billiards according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a display mechanism is mounted on the body and is functionally connected to the actuation mechanism of the buffers.  10. Billiards according to claim 9, characterized in that the display mechanism comprises a first shaft mounted on the body, a first, a second and a third display element bearing numbers on their periphery and mounted adjacent one to the other on the first display mechanism shaft, and display change means for rotating the second display element and displaying a new number each time the first display element has completed one complete revolution and to rotate the third display element to display a new number each time the second display element has completed one complete revolution. 11. Billiard according to claim 10, characterized in that the first display element carries a toothed sector on its side adjacent to the second display element, in that the second display element carries a pinion on its side adjacent to the first element and a toothed sector on its side adjacent to the third element, in that this third display element carries a pinion on its side adjacent to the second display element, and in that the display change means comprise a second display mechanism shaft mounted parallel to the first shaft, a first advancing pinion rotatably mounted on this second shaft, permanently meshing with the pinion on the second display element and arranged to mesh with the toothed sector of the first element display once per revolution, and a second advancing pinion rotatably mounted on the second shaft of the display mechanism, permanently meshing with the pinion on the third element display0 and arranged to mesh with the toothed sector on the second display element once per revolution.  12. Billiard according to claim 11, characterized in that the first and the second advancing pinion each carry cams and in that an elastic element is mounted on the body and is in contact with these cams.  13. Billiard table according to claim 12, characterized in that a reset element is movably mounted on the body and that reset means functionally connect this reset element to the first; the second and third display elements to return the first, second and third display elements to their initial positions when the element is pressed.  14. Billiard table according to claim 13, characterized in that the reset means comprise cams mounted on the pinions of the first, second and third display elements, an element having three flexible fingers leaving and pivotally mounted on the body, this element being connected to the reset element and the flexible fingers being arranged to come into contact with the cams on the sprockets of the first, second and third display elements when the reset item. 15. Billiard table according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means emitting a sound mounted in the body, and means functionally connected to the actuation mechanism of the bumpers for actuating the means: for emitting sound whenever this mechanism is moved.  16. Billiard according to claim 15, characterized in that the sound emitting means comprise a loudspeaker mounted on the body and electrically connected to an acoustic generator circuit to generate a first acoustic signal when the ball is chased, followed by a second acoustic signal of decreasing amplitude after the ball has been chased.  17. Billiard according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the playing surface has a multiplicity of openings and that there is a multiplicity of elements for detecting balls and corresponding buffers, and in that it comprises actuating fingers or pinball machines, left and right, pivotally mounted in the vicinity of the playing surface, means being mounted on the body for manually controlling the pinball machines.  18. Billiard table according to claim 17, characterized in that the body comprises an elongated slot passing in the vicinity of the pinball machines, and in that the means for manually controlling the pinball machines comprise elongated pinball control elements, left and right, mounted movably in this elongated slot, each of the pinball control elements comprising a slot, a pin mounted on the left pinball machine and extending into the slot of the left pinball machine control element, a pin mounted on the right pinball machine and extending in the slot of the control element of the right pinball machine, and a spring arranged between the control elements of the left and right pinball machines in this slot and passing in the vicinity of the pinball machines.  19. Billiard according to claim 18, characterized in that at least one of this multiplicity of openings is round and that the detection surface of the balls of the corresponding ball detector has an opening through which a portion of generally shaped conical of the corresponding stopper extends to a central position above the detection surface of the balls of the corresponding ball detector, and in that at least one of this multiplicity of openings has a generally rectangular shape .  20. Billiard table according to claim 19, characterized in that a transparent cover is mounted on the body at a certain distance from the playing surface, this cover carrying rims extending towards the playing surface, at least one of these edges forming a baffle extending along one side of the rectangular opening in the playing surface. 21. Billiard table according to claim 4, characterized in that sound emitting means are mounted on the body and that an acoustic switch is mounted between the body and the stop plate to actuate the sound emitting means each time the stop plate is driven from the tooth with which it cooperates. 22. Billiard table according to claim 21, characterized in that the sound emission means comprise a transducer mounted on the body and acoustic generator means electrically connected to the transducer after the closure of an acoustic switch.  23. Billiard according to claim 22, characterized in that the transducer is a loudspeaker and that the acoustic generator means comprise a transistorized circuit for emitting a signal of a first frequency when the acoustic interrupter is closed and a signal of a second frequency and of decreasing amplitude after opening of the acoustic switch.  24. Billiard table according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that it includes a lamp mounted on the body and means for flashing this lamp, these means comprising a worm screw mounted on the shaft, a pinion having teeth extending from one of its surfaces and mounted for rotation in the body in mesh with the worm, and a lamp ignition switch mounted in the body and arranged to be taken periodically with the teeth protruding from the surface of the pinion.  25. Billiard table according to any one of claims 21 to 2d, characterized in that it comprises a display mechanism having at least one rotating display element with figures arranged on its surface and means connecting functionally the actuating mechanism is a stopper in the display mechanism comprising a pinion mounted for rotation on the shaft, a field wheel having at least one stop mounted at its periphery and rotating in the body in mesh with the pinion mounted in rotation on the shaft, an element mounted on the stop plate and arranged to cooperate with the stopper mounted on the periphery of the field wheel; except when the stop plate is driven from its tooth, and means operatively connecting the field wheel to the display mechanism to rotate an element of corresponding mark.  26. Billiard table according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises reset means mounted in the body to return each display element rotating to its initial position when these reset means are pressed manually.  27. Billiard table according to any one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that the box comprises a gutter for collecting the balls adjacent to the playing surface, and in addition a ball advancement mechanism functionally connected to the propulsion means from the ball to the playing surface to limit the number of times that the ball can be brought from the collecting gutter to the propelling means towards the playing surface to a manually predetermined number.  28. Billiard table according to any one of claims 21 to 27, characterized in that the playing surface has a number of openings, that at least one of these openings has a generally round shape and that the detection surface of the balls of a ball detector has an opening through which a portion of the corresponding stopper extends to a central position above the detection surface of the balls of the corresponding ball detector, in that at least one of the openings has a generally rectangular shape and that at least one of the multiplicity of openings has an elongated opening smaller than this rectangular opening, and in that an elongated display element has a mounted end pivoting in the body and the other end mounted on a ball detector, this elongated display element having a portion extending through the elongated opening.  29. Billiards according to claim 28, characterized in that it also comprises a transparent cover mounted on the body and spaced from the playing surface, said circle neck having at least one elongated protective rib extending towards said playing surface parallel to one side of said generally rectangular opening, and at least one elongated stop extending towards said playing surface parallel to said elongated opening. 30. Billiard table according to any one of claims 21 to 29, characterized in that the body has a slot extending from one of its sides to the other, that left and right pinball machines are pivotally mounted on the body between the playing surface the cover, that an elongated element of c:: '.- anCe of straight pinball has an opening and is movably mounted in the slot, that a stud is mounted on the right pinball and s extends in the opening of the right pinball control element that an elongated left pinball control element having an opening and being movably mounted in the slot at a location spaced from the pinball control element right, a stud being mounted on the left pinball machine and extending through the opening in the control element of the left pinball machine1 and that a spring is disposed in the slot between the control elements of the left and right pinball machines.