GB2086238A - Pinball machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A pinball machine has an upper level and a lower level, and a ramp 48, 50 extending between the upper level and the lower level to allow a ball to roll between the levels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pinball machine containing a multilevel playfield This invention relates to pinball games and, more particularly, to a pinball machine containing a novel multilevel playfield.

The design of the playfield of a pinball machine is critical to the commercial success of the pinball machine. To this effect an appropriate combination of play features are desirable to produce a game with an appealing play. Generally, a pinball machine having a challenging but controlled game format, with other operating features such as multiple player play, compound or bonus scoring systems, and bonus ball replays, will be accepted and will be in great demand in the marketplace. However, because experienced players become rather selective in the pinball game apparatus on which they play, the owners and therefore the suppliers of such apparatus are constantly looking for new game formats and new play features to add to the pinball game apparatus to make the play more appealing.For these reasons, new play features are continually being built into pinball game apparatus which hopefully will appeal to both players and owners. In the past play features have included any number of apparatus, such as roll over buttons, spinner lanes, flipper bumpers and drop targets. However, all of these features have been contained on a single level playfield.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pinball machine containing a novel multilevel playfield.

Other objects of the invention in addition to that set forth above will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pinball machine constructed according to the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is a broken away partial sectional view taken generally along the lines 2-2 in FIGURE 1 showing the bilevel playfield of the pinball machine.

Broadly stated, the device of the present invention is directed to a pinball machine comprising a downwardly inclined playfield having an upper level and a lower level, a ball, means for propelling the ball onto the playfield, and a ramp extending between the upper level and the lower of the playfield to allow the ball to roll between the upper level and lower level of the playfield. The pinball machine also comprises a plurality of pivotally mounted flippers being disposed near the playfield for affecting motion of the ball. At least one of the plurality of flippers is disposed near the upper level of the playfield for affecting motion of a ball rolling thereon, and another of the plurality of flippers is disposed near the lower level of the playfield for affecting motion of a ball rolling thereon.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the pinball game apparatus 10 includes an upper cabinet 12 supported on legs 13 approximately at waist height to the usual game player. The cabinet 12 has a glass top beneath which is located a slightly inclined bordered playfield 1 5. A manual ball feeding mechanism 1 6 is located at the lower right-hand corner of the playfield and is used for ejecting a round ball 18 to the upper end of the playfield 1 5 at the start of the play. The ball then rolls under the influence of gravity downwardly over the slightly inclined playfield against and past the various ball directing and target means located on the playfield.In the illustrated apparatus, some ball directing and target means shown include upper guide rail 20, spaced drop targets 22, thumper bumpers 24, and slingshot kicker 25.

Additionally, flippers 26 selectively controlled by manual left and right actuators 28 straddle a central out of play lane 30. A pair of side out of play lanes 32 are also defined on the sides of the playfield. In the typical game, once the ball passes through an out of play lane, it is lost; and either a subsequent ball is then available to be put into play or the game is over. A coin mechanism 34 is located on the front of the cabinet to accept coins in the proper amount to enable play for the number of players desired. A back cabinet 36 is typically also provided, being glass covered and having suitable decorative and game operation material thereon. Thus, player indicating means 38 advises visually which player is playing, and the players' score area 40 provides continuous updated scores in digital display for the respective players.Other indicators can include a tilt notice, ball in play indicators and flashing score related lights not specifically identified.

The game apparatus may vary widely with respect to the particulars of the scoring as the ball moves about the playfield and against the'various ball directing means and/or target means.

Basically, however, each ball directing or target means, upon being hit by the ball, either redirects the ball, adds to the score of the player, or a combination of both. A control disclosed in the Nutting et al. Patent No. 4,093,232 or in the Bracha et al. Patent No. 4,198,051, both of which are incorporated herein by reference, can be provided for totaling the score and for illuminating the lights, according to some prearranged logic of the game apparatus as the ball caroms about the playfield.

According to the present invention the playfield 1 5 has a downwardly inclined upper level 42 separated by a ball directing rail 44 from a downwardly inclined lower level 46. Ramps 48 and 50 are provided to allow a ball to roll between the upper level 42 and lower level 46 of the playfield 1 5. Consistent with the present invention other means can be provided for transferring a ball in play between the upper level and lower level of the playfield.

At the start of play a ball is propelled up a ball shooter lane 54 by ball feeding mechanism 16.

A ramp is provided in the ball shooter lane 54 to elevate the ball to the level of the upper level 42.

According to a further aspect of the present invention an upper level flipper 52 is provided which, along with the right flipper 26, is actuated by the right actuator 28. The flipper 52 is located at a narrowing channel of the upper level 42 of the playfield 15. The flipper 52 allows a player to control the play of the ball on the upper level 42 of the playfield 15, while the pair of flippers 26 allows a player to control the play of the ball on the lower level 46 of the playfield 1 5. Also a ball can roll down from the upper level to the lower level, or can be propelled from the lower level to the upper level.

A further aspect of the disclosed embodiment of the present invention is a multilevel playfield which has an upper level and a lower level which do not overlap. This allows a single playfield board to be used for both the upper and lower levels, thus eliminating the cost of painting two separate boards. The board can be cut to separate the upper and lower levels which are then supported at appropriate levels in the pinball machine.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that a pinball machine containing a novel multilevel playfield has been described. The pinball machine may have flippers in both the upper and lower levels of the playfield to provide a challenging game format.

Claims (6)

1. A pinbail machine comprising: a downwardly inclined playfield having an upper level and a lower level; a ball; means for propelling the ball onto the playfield; and means for transferring a ball in play between the upper level and lower level of the playfield.

2. The pinball machine of Claim 1 wherein the transferring means comprise a ramp extending between the upper level and the lower level of the playfield to allow the ball to roll between the upper level and lower level of the playfield.

3. The pinball machine of Claim 1 further comprising one or more pivotally mounted flippers disposed near the playfield for affecting motion of the ball.

4. The pinball machine of Claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted flippers being disposed near the playfield for affecting motion of the ball, at least one of the plurality of flippers being disposed near the upper level of the playfield for affecting motion of a ball rolling thereon, and another one of the plurality of flippers being disposed near the lower level of the playfield for affecting motion of a ball rolling thereon.

5. The pinball machine of Claim 1 wherein the upper level and the lower level of the playfield do not overlap.

6. A pinball machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.