US3578802A - Vertically adjustable bumper for ball rolling games - Google Patents
Vertically adjustable bumper for ball rolling games Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3578802A US3578802A US802160A US3578802DA US3578802A US 3578802 A US3578802 A US 3578802A US 802160 A US802160 A US 802160A US 3578802D A US3578802D A US 3578802DA US 3578802 A US3578802 A US 3578802A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plunger
- bumper
- ballfield
- ball
- latch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 title claims description 13
- 210000000006 pectoral fin Anatomy 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F7/00—Indoor games using small moving playing bodies, e.g. balls, discs or blocks
- A63F7/22—Accessories; Details
- A63F7/30—Details of the playing surface, e.g. obstacles; Goal posts; Targets; Scoring or pocketing devices; Playing-body-actuated sensors, e.g. switches; Tilt indicators; Means for detecting misuse or errors
- A63F7/305—Goal posts; Winning posts for rolling-balls
- A63F7/3065—Electric
Definitions
- this application discloses a bumper which is normally flush with the surface of the field, but which may be moved by that surface in order to impede the passage of balls used in the game.
- the bumper may be arranged to have its movement controlled in a random fashion or may be arranged to be subject to the ability of a game player to direct the passage of the ball.
- a solenoid is used to retract the bumper to its flush position in which it is held by a latch which may be released by energizing a coil.
- PATENIEDHAY 8J9 relates to ball-rolling games. More specifically it relates to means for randomly or controllably impeding the passage of the balls in such games.
- a plunger which may be arranged to be normally flush with the surface of a ballfield in a ballrolling game, but which is capable of movement above the plane of that surface in order to impede the passage of a ball.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a bumper and its actuating apparatus in accordance with this invention
- FIG. 2 there is shown a ball-rolling field having a flat surface 2 which surface may be inclined slightly in the manner well known in the art in order that gravity may cause the ball to roll from the top of the field as shown in the drawing toward the bottom thereof.
- a bumper 4 actuated by a mechanism shown in H0. 1 and to be described in greater detail hereinafter, which mechanism and bumper are supported from the material constituting the ballfield 2 by means of a suitable bracket 6.
- H0. 1 actuated by a mechanism shown in H0. 1 and to be described in greater detail hereinafter, which mechanism and bumper are supported from the material constituting the ballfield 2 by means of a suitable bracket 6.
- the bumper is disposed between a pair of moveable flippers 8 and It) which are mounted on spindles (not shown) and are arranged to be actuated or subject to the control of a player in the manner well known in the art.
- the bumper 4 When the bumper 4 is moved vertically by the apparatus of HG. ll, it extends above the surface of the ballfield 2 and in this embodiment of the invention it and the flippers 8 and 10 are dimensioned so that when the bumper is extended or in its upward position there is insufficient room between the periphery of the bumper and a flipper, such as that designated by reference numeral 10, to permit the passage of a ball 12 therebetween.
- a flipper such as that designated by reference numeral 10
- the player may then operate the flippers to their dotted line positions and impel the ball over the surface of the field in order to have further play.
- the bumper 4 When the bumper 4 is in its retracted position so that its upper surface is flush with the surface of the field, it will not impede the passage of the ball between the flippers, in which case the ball may leave the field or be continued in play by operation of the flippers depending upon the skill of the player.
- FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the bumper in the ballfield 2.
- the bumper is disposed in the path of a scoring or exit alley 15 in which contact actuators may be provided in the manner well known in the art to permit a score to be registered by the game player or to allow the ball to leave the playing field.
- a scoring or exit alley 15 in which contact actuators may be provided in the manner well known in the art to permit a score to be registered by the game player or to allow the ball to leave the playing field.
- there is provided above and below the bumper 4 a pair of plastic posts 14 and 16 which are customarily provided adjacent the entry to such scoring or exit alleys to restrict that entry in order to enhance the pleasure achieved in playing the game by requiring skill on the part of the game player in order to cause the ball to enter or not enter the scoring alley.
- the amount of skill required can be selectively or randomly increased so that at various times the bumper 4 will rise from its flush position in the field and further restrict the passage to the entry of the scoring or exit alley.
- the bumper is shown as dimensioned so as to nearly restrict the passage to entry of a scoring alley 15, that is, its diameter is such that the distance between it and the fixed bumpers l6 and 14 is such that a ball may still pass through to the scoring or exit alley.
- the bumper 4 could be dimensioned to completely restrict that passage when it is in its extended or upper position above the surface of the field.
- FIG. 2 A means for actuating the bumper 4 is illustrated in FIG. 2.
- This embodiment shows a plunger 20 on which the bumper 4 may be mounted.
- the plunger 20 passes through suitable openings in the mounting bracket 6 and is provided with a means at its upper end, such as the horizontally extending projections 22, on which the bumper 4 may be mounted by virtue of their engagement in a slot 24 formed on the under surface of the bumper and held by a friction fit.
- the mounting 6 may be secured to the underside of a platform the upper surface of which provides the playing surface 2.
- An opening 5 in the platform is provided into which the bumper 4 may be recessed so that top may be flush with the surface 2 when the plunger 20 is retracted.
- a coil spring 26 which surrounds the plunger 20 and bears its lower end against the bracket 6 and at its upper end against a suitable bearing surface 28 secured to the plunger 20.
- a means to retract or withdraw the bumper 4 to its downward position so that it is flush with the surface of the ballfield may be constituted by a cylindrical solenoid 30 having a coil 32 and a reciprocating armature 34 which may be secured to the lower end of the plunger 20 by any suitable means, such asthe screw and thread arrangement shown at 36.
- the solenoid 30 is mounted on a bracket 38 which depends from the bracket 6 and is secured thereto as shown by reference numeral 40.
- a latching structure to maintain the plunger and bumper in their retracted positions.
- One embodiment of such a latching structure comprises a latching member 42 secured to the armature 34 and provided with horizontally guiding extensions 43 one of which is designated by the reference numeral 44 to ride in a cutout portion 46 of the bracket 38.
- the latching member is provided with a latching surface 48 which is engaged on its upper portion by a latch plate 50 which is mounted on a suitable hinge 52 at the end of a horizontally extended arm 54 anchored at one end to the arm 54 and at tached to an upper end of the latch plate 50.
- a coil spring 56 Above the hinges 52 is a coil spring 56 which is arranged to cause the latch plate to pivot outwardly in a counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawing.
- Suitable electric circuits may be provided to control the energization of the coils 30 and 60. Such circuits may be responsive to the travel of a ball over the ballfield 2 or may be responsive to other events, such as the action of a time control switch. Thus, a switch controlling the energization of the coil 60 may be closed by the action of a ball hitting a contact actuator on the ballfield or alternatively, it may be closed by the action of an electromechanical timer. As may be seen, only a momentary closure of such a switch is necessary for the time constant of the system need only be long enough to permit the latch plate 50 to be withdrawn from the latch surface 48 and the plunger 20 to move upwardly. Likewise the coil 30 may be energized by the closure of a switch in either of these two fashions.
- a plunger in accordance with the invention may be disposed at any number of places on the ballfield other than those shown in this application. lt is equally obvious that the control of the action of the plunger is subject to a great number of variations depending upon the type of action desired to be provided in the game by the designer. By virtue of this arrangement a relatively simple structure is provided capable of the wide variety of applications in games of the type described and one which is relatively simple, so as to facilitate construction and maintenance.
- said latching means comprises a latch member on said plunger having a latching surface thereon, a latch plate engageable with said latching surface, means urging said latch plate into engagement with said latch surface and means for selectively disengaging said latch plate from said latch surface whereby said second mentioned may be effected to urge said glunger upwardly.
- said first mentioned means comprises a solenoid having an armature connected to said plunger to retract it when energized so that said latch plate may engage said latching surface to maintain said plunger in a retracted position.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (3)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US80216069A | 1969-02-25 | 1969-02-25 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3578802A true US3578802A (en) | 1971-05-18 |
Family
ID=25182999
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US802160A Expired - Lifetime US3578802A (en) | 1969-02-25 | 1969-02-25 | Vertically adjustable bumper for ball rolling games |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3578802A (en) |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3997163A (en) * | 1975-02-03 | 1976-12-14 | Ideal Toy Corporation | Target game |
US4389048A (en) * | 1978-10-07 | 1983-06-21 | Burgess Donald M | Apparatus for playing a spectator-controlled game |
DE3304346A1 (en) * | 1982-02-16 | 1983-09-08 | Bally Manufacturing Corp., 60618 Chicago, Ill. | PLAYING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FLIPPER PLAYING DEVICE |
US4508343A (en) * | 1982-10-22 | 1985-04-02 | Wico Corporation | Pinball game with randomly operable drop targets |
US4805906A (en) * | 1987-10-13 | 1989-02-21 | Home Safe Corp. | Pinball machine construction |
US4822046A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1989-04-18 | Williams Electronics | Two and four position target assembly |
US5112049A (en) * | 1989-08-10 | 1992-05-12 | Premier Technology | Pinball machine having a play field which is changed during play |
US5158292A (en) * | 1991-08-08 | 1992-10-27 | Premier Technology | Pivoting gate and target assembly for a pinball machine |
US5284342A (en) * | 1993-01-04 | 1994-02-08 | Premier Technology | Pinball machine having a system controlled rotating flipper |
US5924690A (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 1999-07-20 | Williams Electronic Games Inc. | Drop target for a pinball game |
US6059288A (en) * | 1996-08-06 | 2000-05-09 | Williams Electronics Games, Inc. | Retractable ball cage for a rolling ball game |
EP2119481A1 (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2009-11-18 | Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. | Game machine |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2110902A (en) * | 1932-06-22 | 1938-03-15 | Andrew E Miller | Baseball game apparatus |
US2830819A (en) * | 1955-07-26 | 1958-04-15 | Harry Williams Mfg Company | Movable ball bumper |
-
1969
- 1969-02-25 US US802160A patent/US3578802A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2110902A (en) * | 1932-06-22 | 1938-03-15 | Andrew E Miller | Baseball game apparatus |
US2830819A (en) * | 1955-07-26 | 1958-04-15 | Harry Williams Mfg Company | Movable ball bumper |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3997163A (en) * | 1975-02-03 | 1976-12-14 | Ideal Toy Corporation | Target game |
US4389048A (en) * | 1978-10-07 | 1983-06-21 | Burgess Donald M | Apparatus for playing a spectator-controlled game |
DE3304346A1 (en) * | 1982-02-16 | 1983-09-08 | Bally Manufacturing Corp., 60618 Chicago, Ill. | PLAYING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FLIPPER PLAYING DEVICE |
US4508343A (en) * | 1982-10-22 | 1985-04-02 | Wico Corporation | Pinball game with randomly operable drop targets |
US4822046A (en) * | 1987-02-25 | 1989-04-18 | Williams Electronics | Two and four position target assembly |
US4805906A (en) * | 1987-10-13 | 1989-02-21 | Home Safe Corp. | Pinball machine construction |
US5112049A (en) * | 1989-08-10 | 1992-05-12 | Premier Technology | Pinball machine having a play field which is changed during play |
US5158292A (en) * | 1991-08-08 | 1992-10-27 | Premier Technology | Pivoting gate and target assembly for a pinball machine |
US5284342A (en) * | 1993-01-04 | 1994-02-08 | Premier Technology | Pinball machine having a system controlled rotating flipper |
US6059288A (en) * | 1996-08-06 | 2000-05-09 | Williams Electronics Games, Inc. | Retractable ball cage for a rolling ball game |
US5924690A (en) * | 1998-03-16 | 1999-07-20 | Williams Electronic Games Inc. | Drop target for a pinball game |
EP2119481A1 (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2009-11-18 | Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. | Game machine |
EP2119481A4 (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2011-07-06 | Konami Digital Entertainment | Game machine |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPA Free format text: CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:003944/0027 Effective date: 19810305 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A CORP., DELAWARE Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:004079/0677 Effective date: 19820507 Owner name: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A DE CORP. Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CHICAGO, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:004079/0677 Effective date: 19820507 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS GAMES, INC., A DE. CORP.,ILLI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004659/0728 Effective date: 19870120 Owner name: WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS GAMES, INC., 3401 NORTH CALIF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:WILLIAMS ELECTRONICS, INC., A DE. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004659/0728 Effective date: 19870120 |